Ten years ago, Abi-Gaye Smythe lay in a hospital bed hooked up to oxygen because her lungs had collapsed after her first cardiac surgery.
She knew then that she had to do everything in her power to not only combat heart disease, but help others to fight it. Since 2012, her I Have A Heart Foundation has been raising awareness of heart disease across Jamaica and providing assistance, including financial support to heart patients. This Saturday, several persons are set to benefit from the foundation’s ninth blood drive at the National Chest Hospital in St Andrew, between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
“It is in partnership with media personality and social media influencer Kareem Bwoy A Tingz. This is our third blood drive together. Some of the blood collected will assist more than 17 to 20 indigent patients, including adolescents and young adults, who will undergo free heart surgery between January 16 to 20 [through our partners],” said Smythe.
Losing her mother to heart disease at age 39, Smythe said more needs to be done.
Leave a Reply