By Yasmin Popescu

yasmin@nasguard.com

The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Ball Committee, the fund-raising arm of the Heart Foundation of The Bahamas, is gearing up to celebrate heart month, this February, with a focus on heart disease particularly, heart health.

The poster child for this promotion comes from Grand Bahama, Grace Cooper, who at one week old was discovered to have a heart murmur. At two weeks, she was evaluated and examined and it was discovered that she had low peripheral oxygen saturation and a loud heart murmur.

While oxygen saturation in a newborn is said to be normally 95 percent, in Grace's case it was 90 percent. This was consistent with cyanotic congenital heart disease. Further examinations indicated that Grace had tetralogy of fallot with hypoplastic pulmonary arteries.

In short, she was said to have had a large ventricular septal defect (hole in the lower chamber), and small pulmonary vessels i.e. the tubes taking blood to her lungs were too narrow and restricted the flow of blood to the lungs. Grace required urgent medical care and was referred to the Holtz Children Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. This proved to be very expensive.

Her hospital course was complicate and Grace required multiple surgeries inclusive of bowel surgery. Today, Grace is awaiting one final surgery and needs the public's support.

According to Ingrid Sears of the Heart Ball Committee there are 11 little children who are depending heavily on the funds to be raised from the upcoming Heart Ball, which is set for February 18, and donations from the public.

The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Ball Committee itself, discovered that this Committee was established in 1961 by Lady Evelyn Sassoon in memory of her late husband, Sir Victor Sassoon, who died of a heart condition.

Its role is to help to repair the hearts of others, primarily of the children of The Bahamas. The Heart Foundation gives support and understanding to parents and families for heart care, whether in hospitals in The Bahamas or in Florida. One of goals of The Heart Foundation is to not turn anyone away. Additionally, The Heart Foundation works in conjunction with The Bahamas Heart Association to preventively educate and inform people about heart care and heart healthy lifestyles. The Association also supports The Foundation through their fund-raising efforts.

The Heart Foundation has helped over 4,000 patients to obtain heart care. Despite The Heart Foundation's best efforts and the increase in number of local cardiologists and equipment, there is still a need to raise funds to assist children of The Bahamas receive heart care locally and at hospitals abroad. The current economic condition has not helped either.

Each year, the committee hosts two major fund-raising events: The Heart Ball and The Annual Tea Party / Fashion Show. Other fund-raising activities include the giving of "Go Red" pins, and benefit performance in exchange for a donation. In addition, The Foundation accepts gifts and financial donations throughout the year.

The Heart Ball is always held on the Saturday closest to Valentine's Day. The Heart Ball will be held on February 18, 2012, at Sheraton Nassau, Cable Beach at 7:15 p.m.

This year's theme is: "Repairing a broken heart...what a gift."

The Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Awardee is named during the ball. This person is recognized and applauded for their heart warming contributions to society, which has helped to make life easier for others (humanitarian work). Nominations for this award will be accepted until Friday, January 27, 2012.

Guests at The Heart Ball can also look forward to an evening of elegance filled with fine cuisine and music.

In addition, guests have the opportunity to win table prizes, participate in the in-house raffle filled with wonderful prizes, and the in-house auction

For persons wishing to help other than by attending the ball, can do so via donations, placing an ad in their booklet, or joining the Bahamas Heart Association.

The Foundation accepts tax-deductible donations, memorial donations and gift donations. No amount is ever too small. Being a non-profit organization, The Foundation relies heavily on the generosity of others to meet their goals.