Cayman Heart Fund enlists governor as patron

(CNS): As well as raising around $20,000, the Cayman Heart Fund got an additional boost to their patronage at its annual Red Dress Valentine’s gala. Guest of honour, Governor Duncan Taylor, graciously accepted the CHF’s request to be the Fund’s new patron, the fund said in a release. During a short speech at the event, held at the Westin Casuarina over the Valentine’s weekend, Governor Taylor said he was delighted to accept the role of patron and was impressed by the turn out at the gala event, whereby female guests had all turned out resplendent in red dress. He said supporting the community gave a great deal of personal satisfaction. (Photo: CHF Chairman Suzy Soto, CHF Medical Director Dr Sook Yin, Governor Duncan Taylor and Mrs Taylor)

“When one has done something useful such as support the Cayman Heart Fund in this way it leaves one with something of a glow. There is real satisfaction in putting something back into society.”

As well as enjoying a glittering night of wonderful food and wine, music and dancing, guests also had the chance to bid for their own unique piece of artwork created by one of Cayman’s talented local artists and donated especially for the event.

Suzy Soto, Chairman of the Cayman Heart Fund said the support from the public for this, the Cayman Heart Fund’s second annual Valentine’s gala, was incredible. “We managed to raise approximately CI$20,000 which is a tremendous sum that will be put towards excellent use by the Cayman Heart Fund, raising awareness and trying to prevent heart disease within Cayman’s society.”

Soto was especially grateful to all the talented artists who all donated their unique paintings and sculptures to the silent and live auctions: “Our thanks go to Bendel Hydes, David Bridgeman, John Broad, John Doak, Chris Mann, CE Whitney, Charles Long, Chris Christian, Gordon Solomon, Maureen Lazarus, Nickola McCoy, Teresa Grimes, Avril Ward, Guy Harvey, Suladda, Joanne Sibley, Jasmine Russo and Al Ebanks. Most artists attended our gala evening and we are truly grateful for all their support.”

“In particular,” Soto added, “we were all very impressed by John Broad’s wonderful painting that he created during the event. The lively painting depicted the talented Vivendi artistes who performed live as well as lots of vignettes from the event. John Wood eventually made the highest bid for the painting and then kindly donated it straight back to the Cayman Heart Fund! In the end the painting was purchased by David Phipps. Mr. Phipps took home a really special souvenir of the event.”

The Cayman Heart Fund is a non-profit, non-government organisation dedicated to the reduction of heart and circulatory disease in the Cayman Islands. Heart and circulatory disease, known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), is the biggest health problem in the Cayman Islands.