( L - R ) Barrett, Perkins
The National Health Fund (NHF) has matched the $6 million in contributions raised by the record-setting Sigma Corporate Run 2008.
Pan Caribbean President and CEO Donovan Perkins proudly accepted a cheque for $6,247,399.16 from NHF CEO Rae Barrett during a ceremony held in the boardroom of the Pan Caribbean's corporate offices in Kingston last Thursday.
The total contribution of $12.4 million will benefit the renal units of the Kingston Public, Cornwall Regional and University hospitals.
Project requests
"The benefiting institutions have put in their project requests which have been approved for funding," declared Barrett.
"I am happy to advise that the equipment for the renal units has been ordered and we are having our official handover in the next few weeks," added Steven Gooden, vice president and general manager of Pan Caribbean Asset Management Ltd, managers of the Sigma Unit Fund.
Also in attendance at the handover ceremony were the NHF's Aubrey Blair, VP finance and Rose-Marie Lee, public information officer and Pan Caribbean's Tanya Miller, VP marketing, as well as other representatives of the financial institution.
In reference to Barrett, Perkins said: "We really want to thank you for the leadership that you have shown."
Over its 10-year history, the Sigma Corporate Run has assisted 12 organisations, raised over $28 million and reached an unprecedented 8,000 participants in the most recent staging. This year, the Sigma Corporate Run successfully partnered with the NHF for the first time as a result of a shared vision regarding the health sector.
"We would like to encourage more persons to become physically active, to delay their risk of developing chronic illnesses which plague normal life," urged Barrett.
"We would like to congratulate Sigma on an excellent 10 years. We are glad that you have allowed us to come in and support you. We look forward to working with you for the 11th run."
Gooden announced the date for the next Sigma Corporate Run as Sunday, March 8, 2009.
