Island Run Antigua Runners Tour Sir Lester Bird Mount St. John’s  Paediatric Department Ahead of Charity Event 

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[L-r] Heidi Clarke, Executive Director Sandals Foundation, Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis, Deputy Chair Pediatric Department, Arlea Gregory, NICU Nurse Manager, Karl Thompson, Managing Director, UK & Europe. Unique Vacations Inc. Ltd. UK, Salma Crump, Head of Marketing & Communications at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre and Graeme Senior Manager Groups & MICE at Unique Vacations Inc., Ltd., pose with one of the donated items – jaundice screening machine which arrived just ahead of the start of the historic 4-day 100Km Island Run.

Just one day before runners took to the streets to cover  100km in the inaugural Island Run Antigua, United Kingdom members of the Sandals affiliate,  Unique Vacations Inc., Ltd. UK and representatives from Sandals Grande Antigua Resort made a  courtesy visit to administrators at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. 

Hosted by the Sandals Foundation and led by Chair of the Paediatric Department, Dr. Shivon Belle Jarvis, the tour explored the Neo Natal Unit for which part proceeds from the targeted £100,000  will support. 

Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation said, “We are honoured to be here today  to share with the hardworking medical practitioners who continue to provide the ultimate service  in preserving the gift of life.

This historic charity event will make it possible for us to provide a  jaundice screening machine and a handheld blood analyzer that delivers lab-quality, diagnostic  results in minutes.” 

Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis, Deputy Chair Pediatric Department presents jaundice screening machine and shares how it will improve the operations of the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit and the families that need support.

For Dr. Belle-Jarvis, the equipment, for which the jaundice screening machine has already been  delivered, will make a difference in the care provided within the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit.

“The  jaundice screening machine will help us tremendously in monitoring babies for jaundice. Up to 60%  of babies who are full term will be jaundiced and up to 80% who are born prematurely will be  jaundiced.

We have just about 1000 babies delivered each year so over 600 babies will benefit from  this jaundice meter”. 

“The blood gas analysis machine,” Dr Belle-Jarvis continued, “helps us to appropriately assess how  much carbon dioxide and oxygen are within the blood stream of our babies, enabling us to make  appropriate changes especially when they are on respiratory support”. 

On October 11- 14, the streets of Antigua will be ground zero for a charity run to bolster the  capacity of the Medical Centre’s ability to serve paediatric needs.

Proceeds from the event will also  be directed to the Endowment Fund of the Sickkids Caribbean Initiative – a partnership that  connects health care in Toronto, Canada with seven Caribbean health institutions – making it  possible for doctors and nurses to exchange information and better diagnose and treat children afflicted by cancer and serious blood disorders.

Third left] General Manager of Sandals Antigua Grande Matthew Cornall with members of the UVI UK Ltd., ultra marathon runners visit the neo natal intensive unit at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. Part proceeds from Island Run Antigua will be aid in purchasing key equipment to enhance healthcare services provided.

Graeme Saunders, Senior Manager Groups & MICE at Unique Vacations Inc., Ltd. UK, one of the  participants in the 4-day Ultra Marathon 100KM Run expressed delight in being able to see the  facilities for which the Sandals Foundation has provided invaluable support over the years. 

“Going to visit the medical centre really hits home for me what we are raising money for and the  important help that will be provided to the island.

It’s an added motivation as well. When the going  gets tough which it will inevitably get at some stage [throughout the race] thinking about the  benefits to the babies will give us that added motivation to push on.” 

The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre in Antigua is the only acute care facility on the island that offers  24-hour emergency care for babies in need of critical care as well as those born prematurely. 

On Saturday, October 14, Antiguans will be able to join in the charity event by participating in a 21Km Half Marathon Run or a10Km walk. 

[Centre] Salma Crump, Head of Marketing & Communications at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre pose with 11 ultra runners from UVI UK Ltd., their significant other and representatives of the Sandals Foundation, and Sandals Grande Antigua Resort. On October 11- 14, the team will take part in the historic Island Run Antigua, covering 100Km to raise funds in support of paediatric healthcare needs.
“We encourage Antiguans to register and come out on Saturday and support the cause,” Matthew  Cornall, General Manager of Sandals Grande Antigua Resort, “This week’s activity will play a critical  role in ensuring our medical professionals are supported in their efforts to provide the best quality  service to our young ones. Together we can do so much more.” 

A coalition of local and international corporate partners have come on board including TickeTing  App, Digicel Group, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Anjo Wholesale British Airways, Mail  Metro Media, Runners World and Good Housekeeping Magazine, Northstar Meetings Group, Corpay,  Hays Travel, 7Stars, EMC3, Upsamdown and UYN. 

 

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1 COMMENT

  1. Now this doctor is deputy chair of the child department, she til want all of the talking

    Some people need to understand that sometimes less is more

    Somebody else please tek de mike and somebody else please get all glamorous for the photo ops

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