Tyrese Glinton is a three-year-old who keeps her parents on their toes running around, dancing, talking, walking, and fighting with her twin sister. But life wasn't always "roses" in the household of Melvese and Tyrone Glinton.
When their daughters were born in May 2011 it was determined that Tyrese had a heart murmur. She was later diagnosed with Tetraology of Fallot (TOF). She had a large hole in her heart. In February 2012, the toddler had surgery at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, and her parents now have a very active toddler on their hands.
TOF causes low oxygen levels in the blood; a child can turn bluish-purple and die. The classic form includes four defects of the heart and its major blood vessels. While the cost of an ECG may be someone's weekly salary, the cost of a surgery to correct TOF is simply unaffordable to many. Surgery to correct TOF can cost over $250,000 according to officials at the Bahamas Heart Foundation.
Before Tyrese had surgery, she was hospitalized due to smoke inhalation the result of a raging fire at a store in central New Providence that resulted in her neighborhood being blanketed in smoke. As a result, the youngster was not able to breathe and began turning purple.
Through the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation, Tyrese was able to have her much-needed heart surgery. She was hospitalized for five weeks recovering from surgery and complications that arose during and after surgery, including a stroke. With a thankful heart and an understanding of the challenges and concerns parents and The Heart Foundation face, Tyrese's mother encourages members of the public to support The Heart Foundation.
"I am truly grateful that my baby is alive today. I am grateful to The Heart Foundation and Dr. Jerome Lightbourne for all they have done," she said. "Put yourself in my shoes. Suppose it were your child -- you'd want someone to help. One day it can happen to you. You never know. Help the children. They need help. The Heart Foundation save lives."
Tyrese is also the Heart Ball Committee's poster child this year.
On Saturday February 14, the Heart Ball Committee will host the Annual Heart Ball at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort under the theme "Affairs of the Heart ... Sustaining Heart Beats One at a Time". The event is the main fundraiser to aid The Heart Foundation.
For years health care practitioners have encouraged adults to live heart healthy. Heart disease has been and still is the number one killer of people around the world. Heart disease does not discriminate by age, gender, financial status, ethnicity, or color. Heart disease impacts not only the individual who is ill, but also their family and society, regardless of the age of the individual.
In adults most often, heart disease does not develop overnight and the risk of developing it can be reduced. Heart disease normally develops as a result of lifestyle choices -- what one eats, drinks, smokes and whether one exercises.
Unlike adults, newborns do nothing to develop congenital heart disease. They are born with heart disease, should they have it. They need the help of others to thrive and survive. Each year millions of children are born worldwide. One percent of the children born are diagnosed with congenital heart disease. Oftentimes, without intervention, these children may die.
February is celebrated as Heart Month globally. The Heart Ball Committee, The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation and The Bahamas Heart Association invite the general public to join them as they celebrate Heart Month and help to sustain heart beats one at a time.
"Heart health is everybody's business," said Heart Ball Committee public relations officer Ingrid Sears. "As we embrace Heart Month we would like to encourage the public to join us in the fight against heart disease. The Heart Foundation, the Heart Ball Committee, The Bahamas Heart Association and sponsors have joined together to host many informative and educational events. I encourage the general public to come out and support these events."
The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation is a non-profit entity that helps to repair the hearts of children, who cannot ordinarily afford heart care. The Foundation relies heavily upon the generosity of others to help 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. In addition to attending the Annual Heart Ball, there are many ways to assist The Heart Foundation.
The public can make donations, make memorial donations, join The Bahamas Heart Association, sponsor events and support sponsored events. This year a special appeal is being made for organizations to have employees wear red on February 13 or February 20 (Go Red Day) and donate $1 for each person wearing red.
Members of the public can support sponsored events such as The Salus Art Project, and the Fun Run Walk. Proceeds from the events benefit The Heart Foundation.
The public can further assist The Heart Foundation via donations (time, money, gifts), sponsorship, sponsoring events, purchasing ads in the Heart Ball booklet, supporting events hosted by The Heart Ball Committee or in aid of The Heart Foundation, media support, and joining the Bahamas Heart Association.
Heart Month events
February 7 -- Free CPR classes at S.C. McPherson School between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
February 1 -- Salus Event at Family Medicine Centre at 7 p.m.
February 13 -- Cable Bahamas' Valentine's Launch
February 14 -- 51st Annual Heart Ball
February 19 -- Doctor's Hospital Lecture at 6 pm, with blood pressure checks from 5 p.m. Free
February 20 -- Go Red for Women Day: Wear red and donate.
February 21 -- Family Fit & Fun @ NPCC between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Free.
February 26th -- The Annual Health Fair at Town Centre Mall between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Free
February 28th -- The Annual Fun/Run Walk
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