Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey expressed excitement over the record-breaking number of residents who showed up for ‘A Pint of Love’ Blood Drive at the Rand Memorial Hospital on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

The blood drive, the first for the year, was hosted by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the hospital in partnership with the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Public Hospitals Authority, the Blood Donors Society of Grand Bahama, COLLAB: Partners for Development, Rotary, Rotaract and the Bahamas Red Cross Grand Bahama Centre.

Minister Moxey stressed how important it was for her ministry to be a part of the drive to heighten the donor numbers, educate the residents on the importance of being a blood donor and keeping the blood bank stocked.

“We’ve been saying how much we needed people to step up to the plate and donate and it’s happening,” she said, after greeting those who had already given blood and potential donors patiently waiting to be screened.

Pleased with all of the stakeholders and partners who have joined forces for such a worthy cause, Minister Moxey pointed out that collaboration is key.

“We are happy to see the police recruits that are here, as well as the National Youth Guard, they’re here with a strong presence, about 30 I believe. I think we’re making history today in terms of blood donated on a given day,” she said.

The goal, she pointed out, is to keep the momentum going.

“We want it to become the norm and, like the doctors had indicated earlier, after three months you can donate again. So we want to see it as a continuous effort,” Minister Moxey said.

“COLLAB, which is the new unit in the Ministry for Grand Bahama, partnerships for the development, is really working collaboratively to work on issues that we see exist in the community. This is one of those issues where we wanted to get our people out there to donate blood to the Rand Memorial Hospital.”

Convinced the partnership for such a worthy cause is only the beginning, Minister Moxey said she is elated to see when people who are so passionate about helping others and giving back to the community make it happen, and she is proud in her ministry’s role and so many others’ in the blood drive.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Randolph Deleveaux, Officer in charge of the Police Training College in Grand Bahama, showed up at the blood drive with two trainers and 29 police recruits and officers of the National Youth Guard presently undergoing training at the college.

ASP Deleveaux said it was a no-brainer to show their support and commended the organizers on the life-saving initiative.

“As trainers and police officers, we train to save lives and what better way to save lives than to give the gift of blood,” he said.

 

Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey expressed excitement over the record-breaking number of residents who showed up for ‘A Pint of Love’ Blood Drive at the Rand Memorial Hospital on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The blood drive, the first for the year, was hosted by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the hospital in partnership with the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Public Hospitals Authority, the Blood Donors Society of Grand Bahama, COLLAB: Partners for Development, Rotary, Rotaract and the Bahamas Red Cross Grand Bahama Centre. Minister Moxey stressed how important it was for her ministry to be a part of the drive to heighten the donor numbers, educate the residents on the importance of being a blood donor and keeping the blood bank stocked. “We’ve been saying how much we needed people to step up to the plate and donate and it’s happening,” she said, after greeting those who had already given blood and potential donors patiently waiting to be screened. Pleased with all of the stakeholders and partners who have joined forces for such a worthy cause, Minister Moxey pointed out that collaboration is key. “We are happy to see the police recruits that are here, as well as the National Youth Guard, they’re here with a strong presence, about 30 I believe. I think we’re making history today in terms of blood donated on a given day,” she said. The goal, she pointed out, is to keep the momentum going. “We want it to become the norm and, like the doctors had indicated earlier, after three months you can donate again. So we want to see it as a continuous effort,” Minister Moxey said. “COLLAB, which is the new unit in the Ministry for Grand Bahama, partnerships for the development, is really working collaboratively to work on issues that we see exist in the community. This is one of those issues where we wanted to get our people out there to donate blood to the Rand Memorial Hospital.” Convinced the partnership for such a worthy cause is only the beginning, Minister Moxey said she is elated to see when people who are so passionate about helping others and giving back to the community make it happen, and she is proud in her ministry’s role and so many others’ in the blood drive. Assistant Superintendent of Police Randolph Deleveaux, Officer in charge of the Police Training College in Grand Bahama, showed up at the blood drive with two trainers and 29 police recruits and officers of the National Youth Guard presently undergoing training at the college. ASP Deleveaux said it was a no-brainer to show their support and commended the organizers on the life-saving initiative. “As trainers and police officers, we train to save lives and what better way to save lives than to give the gift of blood,” he said.

Widely regarded for its work with cancer sufferers and survivors, the Cancer Society of The Bahamas has been an invaluable resource providing support, providing vital information, financial assistance and even housing to help Bahamians across the country for over 45 years. The organization’s years of dedication have inspired countless companies to join the fight against cancer including Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits. 

Since its inception, Jimmy’s has been a major supporter of the Cancer Society’s efforts providing funding and sponsorship for the non-profit’s many initiatives. In the final quarter of 2022 and already in 2023, Jimmy’s made good on its promise of continued support with three donations to various Cancer Society fundraisers. 

“The Cancer Society of The Bahamas has been one of our go-to philanthropic partners,” explained Executive Sales and Marketing Manager Wellington Seymour. “In fact very early on we aligned our Pink Sands brand with the work they have been doing and we kicked things off with a major donation in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” he said.” 

The company’s ‘Drink Pink for a Cure’ campaign has been an annual October promotion with funds earmarked for the cause.  “We allocated funds from the sale of all Sands Pink Radlers as well as pink-hued wines and spirits from brands like Svedka Rose Vodka, Beefeater Pink, Absolut Raspberri Vodka, and Notorious Pink Rose’” he explained. “At the end of the month those funds were part of a special donation which was presented to the Cancer Society team at our Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits East Bay Street location.” 

To close out 2022, Jimmy’s joined forces with the Cancer Society again as a partner for its signature holiday event ‘A  Night At The Races’ held at the Old Fort Bay Club. The annual event is a major charity fundraiser in aid of the Cancer Society’s Cancer Caring centre. Since 2004, the facility has housed family island residents undergoing treatment in the capital - a service that was in even higher demand in the post-pandemic Bahamas. 

“Coming off the heels of a major hurricane, and then a global pandemic we couldn’t have possibly considered bringing back an event like this without the help of partners like Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits,” noted Sue Roberts of the Cancer Society planning committee. “Thankfully partners like Jimmy’s made it possible for us to meet the demands of the centre and work toward its expansion.” 

Less than a month into the new year, Sands Beer and the equally popular Tito’s Vodka brand became major sponsors of this year’s Cancer Society Golf Tournament. Now in its fourth year, the tournament got underway on the Majority Rule Day holiday at Baha Mar’s Blue Ocean Golf Course. A full field of 104 golfers participated in the two-man scramble that saw the teams hit the greens for a day of fun, camaraderie, and of course free beer and Tito’s cocktails courtesy of Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits. 

Andrew Bell and Marcus Farrington emerged as the champions. The duo playing under the team of Sands Beer. However, there was another big win for the day. A tradition of Sands Beer for this tournament is to post a prize for the golfer who lands a golf ball in the Sands sculling boat which is anchored in Lake Cunningham. The Sands crew was ecstatic when the news spread over the course that year Tom McDermott hit a ball into the Sands boat! Tom’s prize is free Sands Beer for a year. 

“This year’s tournament was a huge success” explained Tournament committee member Phil Andrews. “We raised close to $100,000 for the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, and we couldn’t have done so without the support of amazing corporate sponsors like Sands Beer and Tito’s Vodka of Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits.”

With an already packed lineup of events planned for the Cancer Society this year, the organization’s partnership with BBB is expected to grow and thrive. “It is hard to put a dollar value to the work being done by the Cancer Society,” said Susan Warren, Wines & Spirits Portfolio Specialist for Jimmy’s Wines & Spirit. “However as a corporate partner, we know that every little bit helps and so we’re always prepared to step up where necessary”. 

 

Widely regarded for its work with cancer sufferers and survivors, the Cancer Society of The Bahamas has been an invaluable resource providing support, providing vital information, financial assistance and even housing to help Bahamians across the country for over 45 years. The organization’s years of dedication have inspired countless companies to join the fight against cancer including Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits.  Since its inception, Jimmy’s has been a major supporter of the Cancer Society’s efforts providing funding and sponsorship for the non-profit’s many initiatives. In the final quarter of 2022 and already in 2023, Jimmy’s made good on its promise of continued support with three donations to various Cancer Society fundraisers.  “The Cancer Society of The Bahamas has been one of our go-to philanthropic partners,” explained Executive Sales and Marketing Manager Wellington Seymour. “In fact very early on we aligned our Pink Sands brand with the work they have been doing and we kicked things off with a major donation in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” he said.”  The company’s ‘Drink Pink for a Cure’ campaign has been an annual October promotion with funds earmarked for the cause.  “We allocated funds from the sale of all Sands Pink Radlers as well as pink-hued wines and spirits from brands like Svedka Rose Vodka, Beefeater Pink, Absolut Raspberri Vodka, and Notorious Pink Rose’” he explained. “At the end of the month those funds were part of a special donation which was presented to the Cancer Society team at our Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits East Bay Street location.”  To close out 2022, Jimmy’s joined forces with the Cancer Society again as a partner for its signature holiday event ‘A  Night At The Races’ held at the Old Fort Bay Club. The annual event is a major charity fundraiser in aid of the Cancer Society’s Cancer Caring centre. Since 2004, the facility has housed family island residents undergoing treatment in the capital - a service that was in even higher demand in the post-pandemic Bahamas.  “Coming off the heels of a major hurricane, and then a global pandemic we couldn’t have possibly considered bringing back an event like this without the help of partners like Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits,” noted Sue Roberts of the Cancer Society planning committee. “Thankfully partners like Jimmy’s made it possible for us to meet the demands of the centre and work toward its expansion.”  Less than a month into the new year, Sands Beer and the equally popular Tito’s Vodka brand became major sponsors of this year’s Cancer Society Golf Tournament. Now in its fourth year, the tournament got underway on the Majority Rule Day holiday at Baha Mar’s Blue Ocean Golf Course. A full field of 104 golfers participated in the two-man scramble that saw the teams hit the greens for a day of fun, camaraderie, and of course free beer and Tito’s cocktails courtesy of Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits.  Andrew Bell and Marcus Farrington emerged as the champions. The duo playing under the team of Sands Beer. However, there was another big win for the day. A tradition of Sands Beer for this tournament is to post a prize for the golfer who lands a golf ball in the Sands sculling boat which is anchored in Lake Cunningham. The Sands crew was ecstatic when the news spread over the course that year Tom McDermott hit a ball into the Sands boat! Tom’s prize is free Sands Beer for a year.  “This year’s tournament was a huge success” explained Tournament committee member Phil Andrews. “We raised close to $100,000 for the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, and we couldn’t have done so without the support of amazing corporate sponsors like Sands Beer and Tito’s Vodka of Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits.” With an already packed lineup of events planned for the Cancer Society this year, the organization’s partnership with BBB is expected to grow and thrive. “It is hard to put a dollar value to the work being done by the Cancer Society,” said Susan Warren, Wines & Spirits Portfolio Specialist for Jimmy’s Wines & Spirit. “However as a corporate partner, we know that every little bit helps and so we’re always prepared to step up where necessary”. 

February is Children's Dental Health Month according to the American Dental Association (ADA). This month is therefore dedicated to the prevention and treatment of dental diseases in children and young people. This year's campaign slogan is "Brush, Floss, Smile".

With it being Children's Dental Health Month, a cost-effective treatment that prevents dental decay in children and young adults is dental sealants.

Dental sealants are a painless and practical treatment choice. Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth. They prevent dental caries (cavities). The sealant quickly bonds into the pits and grooves of the teeth forming a protective cover over the enamel of the teeth. Sealants are less expensive than fillings and are a good preventive treatment in oral healthcare.

Back teeth (premolars and molars) have natural grooves and crevices on their biting surfaces. At times, even front teeth have pits behind them in an area known as the cingulum. These crevices make teeth susceptible to sugar and plaque accumulation. The result is cavities that can be prevented.

Although, as a good preventative measure, children are taught to thoroughly brush and floss their teeth to remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot effectively get into these grooves and pits. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by blocking and sealing the area thereby preventing the sticky plaque and foods from initiating the cavity process.

Sealants are usually recommended for children and teenagers because of the likelihood of developing decay in the grooves of newly erupted premolars and molars. In this way, sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages six to 14. Adults can also benefit from sealants, however, the earlier you get them, the better.

The most cavity-prone back teeth are the first molars. They appear around age six. The second molars appear around age 12. Sealing these teeth as soon as they erupt, can keep them cavity-free from the start, which helps save money in the long run.

At times, dental sealants are also applied on primary (baby) teeth, especially when a child's baby teeth have deep fissures and grooves. Although the baby teeth are lost naturally, it is important to preserve them during the teeth-changing years because they play an important role in holding the space for permanent teeth. When this does not happen naturally, because of early baby teeth loss, the permanent teeth will likely erupt crooked or they remain trapped below the gum.

Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay in molars by nearly 80 percent. This is especially important when it comes to your child's dental health. In October 2016, the Centers for Disease Control released a report on the importance of sealants for school-age children. They found that school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.

Applying dental sealants is a quick and painless process. Sealants will usually last for several years before they need to be replaced. During your regular dental visit, your dentist will check the condition of the sealant and can reapply them as needed. Dental sealants are important considerations in your oral health program. Since they are painless, can be easily applied and are cost-effective, they can be of great value in preventing the most common disease among children – dental cavities.

• Dr. Kendal V.O. Major is the founder and CEO of the Center for Specialized Dentistry, which is a comprehensive family dental practice operating in New Providence and Grand Bahama. He is the first Bahamian specialist in gum diseases and dental implants since 1989. He is also a certified fast braces provider. His practice is located at 89 Collins Avenue, New Providence. He can be contacted at (242) 325-5165 or kmajorcsd@gmail.com. For further information visit www.csddentistry.com. 

A Ministry of Works team, comprising Ministry of Works  and Utilities Parliamentary Secretary Bacchus Rolle, Permanent Secretary Luther Smith, Water and Sewerage Corporation's (WSC) Executive Chairman Sylvanus Petty, WSC board members and executives -- are pictured upon arrival in Eleuthera today to inspect the Naval Base Desalination Plant's new Modu tank construction; participate in Russell Island Water Supply Project Commissioning Ceremonies; and inspect the WSC Bogue Desalination Plant's new Modu Tank construction.