The Sandals Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to the SickKids–Caribbean Initiative (SCI), which focuses on the research, diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancers in the Caribbean, with a CAD $320 000 gift up to 2029.
The gift will be provided over a five-year period, beginning with a contribution of $120 000 this year and an annual gift of $50 000 subsequently.
Historically, children with cancer and blood disorders in the Caribbean have faced barriers to accessing timely, specialised care within the region. Medical professionals at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Canada, are supporting medical professionals in seven Caribbean institutions across six countries—Jamaica, The Bahamas, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. This collaboration is changing outcomes for children under the age of 18 diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders by assisting with case consultations, diagnostics, and treatment plans for these childhood illnesses.
Dr Curt Bodkyn, co-Caribbean lead of the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative, said, “Building capacity for improving the outcomes of children with cancer and blood disorders is paramount to the advancement of Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean. Through our partnerships, SCI has made a profound difference in paediatric care in the region with case consultations, healthcare professional training, advocacy, and SickKids management support.”
The generous support from the Sandals Foundation has contributed to building a regional community of practice under the umbrella of various SCI initiatives. The partnership has seen the outfitting of a telemedicine room in Saint Lucia, which facilitated virtual consultations prior to the advancement of tabletop technology. SCI partnered with the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus School of Nursing, in Trinidad and Tobago, and supported training for 41 nurses from partnering Caribbean countries in paediatric haematology/oncology.
SCI has supported 888 case consultations and has facilitated the creation of comprehensive paediatric oncology databases for each site, and training of paediatricians in paediatric haematology/oncology through the SickKids fellowship training programme. SCI Caribbean partner sites have registered over 1 000 patients in local oncology databases to date. Overall, SCI attributes its continued success to partnership and collaboration.
Heidi Clarke, executive director at Sandals Foundation, said, “Over the years, we have made significant strides in connecting and building the capacity of our Caribbean medical professionals to provide the care and services needed by our young ones who are at their most vulnerable. This commitment over the next five years will continue to build on the resources, infrastructure, and care needed to support families and save lives. Our wish for all children is good health.”
A Catalyst Donor to the Canadian-based non-profit, the Sandals Foundation has, since 2013, donated over CAD $1 million in support of SCI programming, making the organisation a proud member of the prestigious “SickKids Luminaries”.
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is a world leader in paediatric care, research, and education. With a goal of improving children’s healthcare globally, SickKids has established programmes like the SickKids–Caribbean Initiative to translate the knowledge and expertise developed on its campus in Toronto to partners and countries around the world. Since being formally launched in 2013, the SCI programme has trained doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals in paediatric haematology and oncology. Improved data collection on patient outcomes and enhanced treatment protocols through access to early screening, testing and diagnosis for certain paediatric disorders.
Marking its 150th anniversary this year, and to commemorate its partnership with the Sandals Foundation, the Canadian-based organisation gave the Sandals philanthropic arm a life-sized birthday balloon sculpture, which has been installed at Sandals Montego Bay Resort. The balloon stands as a symbol of the power of community and the incredible work being done to transform paediatric healthcare across the world. (PR)
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