(Front row L-R) Dr Fairfax, hospital manager, and Dr Heskith Vanterpool, owner/director, Bougainvillea Clinic present funds raised from the Bougainvillea Clinic Joint Replacement Walk to Mrs Theresa Frett and Mrs Roselia James-Dawson of the BVI Cancer Society.

The cumulative funds were raised from the Bougainvillea Clinic Joint Replacement Walkathon that took place in December. In his presentation remarks, Dr Vanterpool offered echocardiograms at a specially discounted rate for cancer treatment patients coming through the BVI Cancer Society.

“Echocardiograms are necessary when undergoing chemotherapy to check that the heart is not being adversely affected by the treatment,” said Dr. Vanterpool. “We can offer this service through the Bougainvillea’s sister company, Eureka Medical Clinic. We have the equipment, facilities and expertise and as a cardiologist, I am happy to add this service to the mammogram and prostrate screening that we already make accessible to qualifying individuals seeking support from the BVI Cancer Society.”

“This donation is greatly appreciated,” said Mrs Frett president of the BVI Cancer Society. “The BVI Cancer Society is dependent on community financing whether through membership fees, discounted rates and services, fundraising events or benevolent donations. We provide Cancer patients with information, practical patient and caregiver support, and help to guide them through the medical stages from initial screening and treatment to remission check-ups. Thanks to the co-operation of service providers such as Eureka Medical Clinic, we are able to assist some individuals with the cost of screening. We are delighted that Dr Vanterpool is offering echocardiograms as part of the collaborative mix.”

More than fifty walkers and runners from the community attended the walkathon held on December 3 at the A.O. Shirley Recreation. Participants were sponsored for the number of track laps they completed. The fund raising event supported the primary objective of the walk which was to show case the return to a mobile and active life for those who had undergone joint replacement surgery at the Bougainvillea Clinic.

The Bougainvillea Clinic selected the BVI Cancer Society as the beneficiary of the walkathon to support the critical community work of the association.

The Bougainvillea Clinic is the only private hospital in the British Virgin Islands. Along with general hospital services, the main focus is on surgical specialties which include aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, orthopedic and spinal surgery, general, abdominal and breast surgery, gynecology, ENT and more.

The Bougainvillea Clinic is part of a group of medical service providers that includes Eureka Medical Clinic and Medicure Pharamcy.