Sandals Foundation reaffirms support for Paediatric Cancer Support across the Caribbean
ST.VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES is among six countries that will benefit from enhanced research, diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancers in the Caribbean as the Sandals Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to the Sick-Kids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI) with an investment of $Can 320,000 up to 2029.
The funds, which will be provided over a five year period, will begin with a contribution of $Can 120,000 this year and an annual gift of $50,000 subsequently, a release from Sandals states.
It pointed out that historically, children with cancer and blood disorders in the Caribbean have faced barriers to accessing timely, specialized 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, St 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.
Co-Caribbean Lead of the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative, Dr. Curt Bodkyn 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, health care professional training, advocacy, and SickKids management support”.
The 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 consults prior to the advancement of tabletop technology. SCI partnered with the University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus School of Nursing (UWISON) in Trinidad and Tobago and supported training of 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 1000 patients in local oncology databases to date.
Executive Director at Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke 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.”
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