2007 ANNUAL MEDICAL MISSION

One of the many ways in which the Issa Trust Foundation is reaching out is with its annual Medical Missions.  In 2007, the third successful Medical Mission was completed.  A total of fifteen volunteer pediatric doctors and nurses from the Raymond Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, were accommodated at Couples Ocho Rios in September, 2007 and spent six days holding clinics throughout St. Mary to provide medical treatment to the children of the parish.  A second group of 16 doctors and nurses stayed at Couples Swept Away during the following week and provided free medical services for the children in the parish of Westmoreland

 Approximately US$50,000 worth of medications and supplies were distributed in St. Mary and Westmoreland.  A total of 1,225 children were treated during the 2007 Missions.  Each child was given a worm pill and dispensed free medication and blood work given for children under 2 years of age.   Each child was also given a bag with vitamins, a toy, candy and a toothbrush. 

The success of the Missions is due to the cooperation of the Ministry of Health and sponsors Variety Children’s Lifeline (CA), Raymond Blank Children’s Hospital (Iowa), United Parcel Service (Iowa), Vitamin Angels (CA) and Vitamin Relief USA (CA). 

The Issa Trust Foundation, a non-profit organization formed by Couples Resorts to help Jamaican citizens and communities in need, was established in 2005. The Foundation strives to provide a system of prevention, health promotion and education, community health improvement and other services to promote wellbeing and development to Jamaican communities.  The organization honours the Issa family – leaders in Jamaican tourism and founders and owners of Couples Resorts.  The Issa Trust Foundation is a non-profit 501©(3) corporation and donations are therefore tax deductible in the United States.

Couples Resorts’ Senior VP of Sales & Marketing, Randy Russell, serves as Issa Trust Foundation’s Chairman.   Other Board members are Annette Cavanaugh (Vice Chairperson), Diane Pollard (Vice President), Alex Ghisays (PR Director) and Gail Soares.