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04
November

Online Campaign to Fund 700 Inhalers for Jamaican Children Announced

Featured Post, Medical Mission, News
 
So many of us take the simplest of things for granted; we lack the acknowledgment of what a blessing the simplest things are. Take breathing for example. It’s likely most of us have never thought for one second about breathing, except for maybe when performing a hard work out or running a marathon. The cost of inhalers is beyond the means for many parents in Jamaica with children suffering from asthma. The demand is great and after day 3 of our recent medical mission we ran out of our supply. One of our returning Issa Trust Foundation volunteers, Monica Keleher with her brother’s assistance, wanted to do something when she saw the tremendous need to treat asthma during our medical mission. In order to fulfill the need for our July and September 2015 missions, we are trying our hand at an online fundraising campaign to help a child breathe by raising enough money to purchase 700 inhalers. We urge you to both support this effort and spread the word to your friends and colleagues. Thank you for your consideration and support. The mission of the Issa Trust Foundation is to provide a system of prevention, health promotion and education, community health improvement and other services to promote well-being and development for the people of Jamaica.
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22
October

Issa Trust Foundation Joins the National #GivingTuesday Movement

News, Press Release
 

October 21, 2014 05:01 ET

Issa Trust Foundation Joins the National #GivingTuesday Movement to Encourage Spending With a Purpose: Enriching Lives in Jamaica

DAVIE, FL–(Marketwired – Oct 21, 2014) – The Issa Trust Foundation has joined #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners — charities, families, businesses and individuals — to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. Taking place December 2, 2014 — the Tuesday after Thanksgiving — #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday shopping.

 

This year, the Issa Trust Foundation will encourage supporters to participate in a series of ongoing activities leading up to the big day. Fans and followers will be prompted to post photos of themselves doing good deeds and asked to tag people who have provided them with a helping hand. The #OpenPalms hashtag will be used in the foundation’s efforts to digitally unite the helping hands that will surround this year’s showing of support.

 

Issa Trust Foundation President and CEO, Diane Pollard said, “#GivingTuesday is a new arena for us, but we are excited to leverage the power of this moment to give our cause even more global exposure. It’s quite amazing to see how social media engagement can garner so much support for the people of an island nation like Jamaica.”

 

“#GivingTuesday is a counter narrative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday because it reminds us that the spirit of the holiday giving season should be about community and not just consumerism,” said Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation. “The most meaningful gift we can give our children, loved ones, friends and neighbors is the commitment to work together to help build a better world.”

 

On December 2, participants in this year’s #OpenPalms #GivingTuesday activities with the Issa Trust Foundation will be surprised with an uplifting message from the children of Jamaica.

 

About the Issa Trust Foundation

 

The Issa Trust Foundation was established in 2005 by Couples Resorts as a nonprofit organization. The mission of the Foundation is to provide a system of prevention, health promotion and education, community health improvement and other services to promote well-being and development for the people of Jamaica. Together, through educational and professional programs, we work with and advocate for families to provide a safe, nurturing and permanent home for children.

 

Visit them online to find out more and become a part of something truly special: IssaTrustFoundation.com

   

About #GivingTuesday

 

#GivingTuesday is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give. It will culminate with a global day of giving on December 2, 2014. This effort harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners — charities, families, businesses and individuals — to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they celebrate and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a global moment that is dedicated to giving around the world.

 

To learn more about #GivingTuesday participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit: www.givingtuesday.org

 

Source: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/issa-trust-foundation-joins-national-givingtuesday-movement-encourage-spending-with-1959369.htm

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16
October

Jamaica Gleaner Profiles ITF 2014 Mission

Featured Post, News, Press Release
 
From left: Issa Trust Foundation's medical director, Pat Brophy, with dental hygienists Silvia Flores and Mary Sullivan.
From left: Issa Trust Foundation’s medical director, Pat Brophy, with dental hygienists Silvia Flores and Mary Sullivan.

US Volunteers Deliver Medical Aid To St Mary Communities

Orantes Moore, Gleaner Writer
ORACABESSA, St Mary:

A MEDICAL team comprising more than 40 volunteers from the United States of America joined forces with the Issa Trust Foundation (ITF) to deliver a four-day mission across three districts in St Mary last month.

The delegation, led by the ITF’s medical director, Dr Pat Brophy, comprised pharmacists, physicians and therapists from hospitals in New York, Florida and Indiana, and targeted children in Oracabessa, Islington and Mason Hall with a series of mobile health clinics.

According to Brophy, the foundation, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has developed a highly efficient process for providing quality, paediatric medical care as part of its long-term strategy to support and partner with local medical and other organisations.

He told Rural Xpress: “Four years ago, we introduced an electronic medical records system and now we’ve restructured into something like a clinical microsystem, so we’re able to run through over 200 patients a day, and give the kids great care.

“The system is a very lean process. The kids come in and register on our computer database, so we know if they are repeat visitors. From there, they have their vital signs checked and we monitor weight, growth, blood pressure and pulse and respiratory rates.

“If the patient is either a child aged between six months and two years, or a young lady over the age of 12 years old, they can also get their blood count [tested] because there is a high rate of anaemia in those groups, so we look for sickle cell or any indication of those kinds of things.”

While the children receive full body, dental and eye examinations, and medication and eyeglasses if necessary, completely free of charge, the foundation collects detailed information about each patient, which it shares with the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Brophy claims that between the annual missions and the ITF’s paediatric residency programme at Couples Hotel in Tower Isle, the charity has delivered health-care services to more than 60,000 children since 2010.

Nurse Jerre Grefe has travelled on four missions to Jamaica and watched the project flourish in recent years. She said: “I keep coming back to Jamaica because it’s a wonderful country with wonderful children.

Good care

“The work we do is important because every child deserves good medical care and health, and every year, [the mission] gets bigger and bigger because of word-of-mouth.”

Nurse Monica Keleher, who was returning to Jamaica for the second time, added: “Clinics like this are essential. I went to Haiti right after the earthquake and for three consecutive years after that because, in terms of sustainability, it’s important that we keep our kids healthy.”

The ITF’s primary objective is to support local communities and help the Government develop a “… sustainable and integrated health-care system,” said Brophy.

“We’ve been working towards developing an educational programme that is in alignment with the MOH’s plans, particularly for neonatology.

“We integrate ourselves within the paediatric community and our practitioners go out to local hospitals to participate in seeing patients on a daily basis.”

He added: “Last year, we noticed a decrease in incidents of asthma, probably due to education and changes in the Government’s smoking policy, which is good. Also, among some of the kids we’ve been monitoring for the past few years, there have been improvements in growth and a decrease in rates of anaemia.”

rural@gleanerjm.com

PHOTOS BY ORANTES MOORE

Quoted From the Jamaica Gleaner: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20141011/news/news6.html#.VDl0-IjUaFY.twi
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06
October

Couples, Issa Trust Foundation help out

Featured Post, News, Press Release
 
Jamaica’s Couples Resorts is applauding the efforts by the affiliated Issa Trust Foundation to make the world a better place. Following this month’s JAPEX tourism show in Jamaica, Couples hosted a trip for tourism industry personnel to Jamaica’s Free Hill Primary School and the Orcabessa Medical Clinic, run by volunteers of the foundation, and brought school supplies for the students. Seen here (l-r) are Brenda McInerney, Transat Vacations; Diane Pollard, president of the Issa Trust Foundation; Dean Sullivan, VP sales and marketing, Couples Resorts; Suzanne Fleming, national accounts manager Canada, Couples Resorts; Ivonna Szelerska, Couples Resorts; Paul Issa, deputy chairman, Couples Resorts; Cindy Gerhardt, WestJet Vacations; and Darin Meder, national accounts manager USA, Couples Resorts, with students from the kindergarten class at Free Hill Primary School. Source: Travel Press
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06
August

Free Hill Primary School

Featured Post, News
 
Free Hill Primary and Infant School in St. Mary, Jamaica is situated in the rural district of Free Hill, located approximately 10Km from it’s main town of Port Maria, the capital of St. Mary. The school, with students ranging from 4 to 12 years old, has a staff of 16 and caters to the social and educational needs of the 448 students. The students are drawn from the communities of Oxford, Geddes Town, Port Maria, Oracabessa, Bailys Vale, Jacks River, Fontabelle and as far away as Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Help build a playground for the children at Free Hill Primary and Infant School, St. Mary Jamaica. You can help by donating at: http://www.gofundme.com/bwb4io
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30
April

ISSA TRUST FOUNDATION & ITS PARTNERS DONATE JA$7M IN EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO HOSPITALS ACROSS JAMAICA

Press Release
 

Picture: Her Excellency, Lady Allen (far left) in discussion with Diane Pollard, President & CEO of the Issa Trust Foundation and Paul Issa (standing), Chairman of the Foundation. His Excellency, Sir Patrick Allen – Governor General of Jamaica and his wife, Her Excellency, Lady Allen, are patrons of the Issa Trust Foundation.

    A dedicated team of volunteers, including radiologists, a Neonatologist. a paediatric haemotologist/oncologist and a critical care nurse visited the Island as guests of Couples Resorts and it’s non-profit organization, the Issa Trust Foundation, to provide training to hospital staff at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital in early April. Another member of the team, Jim Colvin, Lead Coordinator/Volunteerism at WelchAllyn, New York – a leader in the healthcare industry since 1915 – volunteered his vacation time to work with the Issa Trust Foundation in providing over J$5M (US$50,000) worth of WelchAllyn equipment and supplies which were donated to hospitals islandwide, including St. Ann’s Bay, Annotto Bay, Port Antonio and Port Maria Hospitals as well as the Mason Health Centre and the Bustamante Children’s Hospital in Kingston.  Included in this donation were ECG machines, blood pressure machines and vital spot monitors, just to name a few. An xray processor and diagnostic testing equipment valued at J$2M (US$20,000) were also donated to the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital by Radiology Imaging Solutions Inc., a Michigan-based company.  All donations were made through the Issa Trust Foundation and organized by its President & CEO, Diane Pollard, who led the team on this trip.   About Couples Resorts: Couples Resorts, headquartered in Montego Bay, Jamaica, owns and operates four properties in Jamaica – Couples Tower Isle, Couples Sans Souci, Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril.  Pioneered by the legendary Abe Issa, “father of Jamaican tourism,” each Couples Resort is an unsurpassed model of the all-inclusive resorts concept, boldly designed with local inspiration to create a harmonic sense of nature and authentic Caribbean spirit.  For over 33 years, Couples has delighted guests and refined the Caribbean all-inclusive resort experience by providing unparalleled service, exceptional dining experiences and exclusive added value inclusions.  For further information please visit http://couples.com/.   About  Issa Trust Foundation: The Issa Trust Foundation was established in 2005 by Couples Resorts as a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit.  The mission of the Foundation is to provide a system of prevention, health promotion and education, community health improvement and other services to promote well-being and development for the people of Jamaica.  Board Members are Paul Issa (Chairman), Petronia Brooks (Financial Controller), Diane Pollard (President & CEO), Alex Ghisays (PR Director) and Gail Soares (Treasurer).   For more information. please visit www.issatrustfoundation.com
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18
April

Traveling to Couples Resorts Soon? You can donate supplies for children through Pack with a Difference

Featured Post
 
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25
February

Over a thousand children to be treated during the Issa Trust Foundation’s 10th paediatric medical initiative

Featured Post, Medical Mission, News, Press Release
 
More than a thousand children will treated during the Issa Trust Foundation’s 10th paediatric medical initiative scheduled for September 25th September 30th. Dr. Pat Brophy, Medical Director, “The Issa Trust Medical Initiatives provide Paediatric focused general care for Children in Jamaica. While this has been the most notable component of our care program it has been largely enhanced by our year round ongoing efforts. We have dedicated ourselves to providing health based education, training and resource development support for the healthcare providers tasked with looking after Jamaica’s Children. In conjunction with other non-profit health based organizations and an active partnership with the Jamaican ministry of health we have provided real tangible improvements in child health. Importantly this has been done in a very cost effective and inclusive manner. We believe that working with the Jamaican government and local providers we can work at building a sustainable healthcare program for babies and children.” Kerri Cook, Lead RN, “nothing can make you feel better than helping a child get healthy! Thank you Jamaica for allowing us to come into your country and provide healthcare to your children. We will treat them like our own! And thank you for treating us like family! ” This year we have medical providers from many hospitals such as The University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa, Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa, and Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio. The team of 41 volunteers includes paediatric pharmacists, intensive care physicians, and hematology oncology physicians, general paediatricians, nephrologists, nurse midwife, pulmonologists, neonatologist, paediatric nurse practitioners as well as a paediatric nurse and respirator therapists. The team will also be providing health and education lectures at St. Ann’s Bay Hospital. In addition, this year all children will receive free eye exams and receive their glasses, if needed, at no cost, immediately after their exam, provided by the Michigan Lions. The Issa Trust Foundation was established in 2005 by Couples Resorts as a nonprofit organization. The mission of the Foundation is to provide a system of prevention, health promotion and education, community health improvement and other services to promote well-being and development for the people of Jamaica. poster announcement
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14
February

We were recently honored to be featured in a six-page story in Live Happy! magazine. We deeply appreciate the recognition.

Featured Post, Press Release
 
Click here to read our feature in Live Happy Magazine!
Amazing to read about our volunteers and how “volunteering” changed their life!
There were character-building lessons, too, such as learning to be more grateful and to rethink things that were previously deemed important.
At the Issa Trust Foundation, we are inspired by the words of Gandhi “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
We have seen time and time again how one person can make a difference in the lives of those in need. After reading Live Happy article, you too may be inspired!
Contact Diane at issatrustfoundation@yahoo.com and live your dream!
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15
January

Support the Issa Trust Foundation using AmazonSmile!

Featured Post, News, Press Release
 

You Win Along With The Children – Set It and Forget It!

AmazonSmile donates a portion of your purchase to the charity of your choosing. Choose the Issa Trust Foundation as your charity of choice, and Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of the price of eligible purchases to support Issa Trust Foundation programs. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Issa Trust Foundation every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to our foundation! Click on the link below to begin using AmazonSmile in support of The Issa Trust Foundation! AmazonSmile-banner We truly believe that if we want to change our world and really make a difference, there is no better place to start than in the life of a child! Today’s children are our future—they are the ones who will be leading their countries and cities . . . the ones who will be shaping the values future generations will live by. And though they may just be small children now, they still hold a great purpose. You shop, Amazon gives directly to The Issa Trust Foundation, helping us continue our mission — making a difference for children, one child at a time!
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Issa Trust Foundation | 7900 Nova Drive | Suite 101 | Davie, FL 33324