The Tribune

HEART disease is the number one killer of people in the Bahamas and around the world.

According to he Department of Statistics, more than 24 per cent of all deaths in the Bahamas are directly related to heart disease.

February is celebrated annually as Heart Month. The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation and the Bahamas Heart Association want you to get involved.

The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation is a non-profit entity that helps to repair the hearts of children in the Bahamas.

The Heart Ball Committee is the fundraising arm of the Heart Foundation; it consists of a group of dedicated volunteers who help to raise funds to repair children’s hearts.

The Heart Foundation works along with the Bahamas Heart Association to educate and inform the public about living heart healthy lifestyles.

The Bahamas Heart Association comprises of volunteers who provide their time and services to the following goals:

• Assisting in need with the cost of heart investigations and surgery.

• Advising the public through the media of all aspects of heart disease, risk factors and preventative care.

• Making educational material available to schools, youth groups, service clubs and other public meetings.

The Bahamas Heart Association and the Heart Foundation, with the aid of the Heart Ball Committee, have jointly scheduled several events during heart month to create awareness of heart disease, to help persons live heart healthy lifestyles and to help raise funds to repair children’s hearts.

Additionally, Doctor’s Hospital will host their monthly health talk.

The events for heart month are:

• February 1 – Extended deadline for the Golden Heart Award.

• February 2 – Joint Heart Month Launch at Cable Bahamas, hosted by Cable Bahamas and Solomon’s Super Centre in Nassau and Freeport. Mall at Marathon booth.

• February 3 – Church Service at St Gregory’s Anglican Church at 9.30am.

• February 6 – Salas Project art show at NPCC at 6pm

• February 9 – Free CPR classes at SC McPherson School from 10am to 2pm

• February 14 – Mall at Marathon booth.

• February 15 – Go red for Women day: wear Go Red and Foundation pins.

• February 16 – The 49th annual Heart Ball

• February 21 – The Annual Health Fair at Town Centre Mall from 9am – 4pm. Free.

• February 21 – Doctor’s Hospital Lecture at 6pm, with blood pressure checks from 5pm. Free.

• February 23 – Boogie to da beat at NPCC,10am-2pm.

• March 9 – The annual Fun/Run Walk.

Ingrid Sears, public relations officer of the Heart Ball Committee, said: “February is Hearth month. It’s a time to share love and take care of matters of the heart. We want to encourage the public to help us repair the hearts of children.

“We also want to encourage the public to learn how to live heart healthy and protect their hearts. Heart disease does not discriminate; so we must all take a proactive approach to heart care through education and funding.

“I want to encourage the public to help the Heart Foundation. At present there are over 12 patients in need of surgeries.

You can assist by attending the Annual Heart Ball on Saturday, February 16, 2013. You can also make a donation to the Heart Foundation.

“We are also encouraging persons to become members of the Bahamas Heart Association and to purchase the Go Red pins.

“Last but not least, we encourage members of the public to attend sponsored events such as the Launch at Cable Bahamas/Solomon’s Super Centre and the Salas Project. These entities will make donations to the Heart Foundation, based on payments and purchases.

“All funds raised help to repair children’s heart. We encourage you to save a little heart – embrace the opportunity today.”

For details about Heart month, the Heart Ball and the Bahamas Heart Association, call 327-0806.