Manny Pacquiao helping young heart patients
Manny Pacquiao during his visit to Health City
(CNS Local Life): Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is helping to facilitate free cardiac care for children from his native Philippines. Pacquiao, who together with his wife founded the Emmanuel and Jinkee’s Heart Foundation, has teamed up with Have a Heart Cayman Islands and Health City Cayman Islands on the charitable initiative. The details of the collaboration were disclosed when he toured the hospital while in Cayman last month for the “Island Rumble” boxing event.
The sports icon, who is the reigning World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion, announced that the first two children requiring heart surgery will travel from Cebu, Philippines to Health City this year, with more to follow, he said.
Pacquiao’s foundation is a non-governmental organisation that assists the community with medical care as well as educational, shelter and relief needs. Have a Heart works to partner with local and international agencies to subsidise and provide lifesaving heart surgeries to needy children from the Caribbean and around the world.
The boxer, who is also a senator in the Philippines, added, “I may be a world-class champion in the ring, but with all the help and kind support of Have a Heart Cayman Islands, hand in hand, we will all be champions of these children’s hearts.”
He spoke of the commitment of the medical staff at Health City, saying he “rejoiced” after the doctors explained what they did. “They spend so much time here at the hospital and hardly go home as they help people from all over the world. I am so happy to be part of this movement.”
Have a Heart chairman Harry Chandi said, “It is an honour to partner with a living legend to bring life to many future legends across the world. Partnerships like these are not only a blessing to children, but they keep us motivated to raise resources that help deliver world-class medical care to people who need it the most.”
Dr Chandy Abraham, Health City CEO and head of medical services, said he appreciated for the opportunity to strengthen the hospital’s partnership with Have a Heart and begin a new relationship with the champion athlete. “We are in the business of giving hope to children – hope for long and healthy lives. Through this alliance, we can do more to support our mission of high quality, affordable care for all,” he said.
For further information, go to the Have a Heart Cayman Islands website
Category: Medical and Health
