Jamaica Energy Partners raises over $5m for Bustamante Hospital

The Oncology Department at the Bustamante Hospital for Children has received more than $5 million from the Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP) Group, which raised the funds through its RAYZ for Life 5K on July 18.

The amount exceeded the organisers’ $3-million target after the event, held at Norbrook Loop, attracted strong support from participants and sponsors, making it another successful staging for the JEP Group.

Now in its sixth year, the event was held under the theme ‘Finishing what we started’ and drew nearly 500 participants with backing from 30 sponsors.

Chief executive officer of Bustamante Hospital, Anthony Wood, welcomed the donation, saying, “To everyone who participated, whether you walked, ran or supported the event in any way, thank you for helping to raise $5.1 million.

This contribution will support the Oncology Department by providing essential equipment to help care for children diagnosed with cancer. We are truly grateful to Jamaica Energy Partners Group and everyone who made this possible.”

Childhood cancer diagnoses in Jamaica have risen in recent years, with between 60 and 70 new cases recorded annually. The most common forms are leukaemia, lymphoma and brain tumours, with survival rates ranging from 50 to 60 per cent.

The incidence has grown to the point that Jamaica’s leading childhood cancer specialist, Dr Michelle Reece-Mills, launched the Courageous Kids Cancer Jamaica Foundation last year to support children facing the disease and their families.

JEP Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Wayne McKenzie, and senior marketing officer, Moya Mullings, presented an initial cheque for $4.7 million to the hospital. Additional donations later pushed the total beyond the $5-million mark.

McKenzie thanked participants, sponsors and donors for making this year’s achievement possible.

“When we talk about children and illness, it is very near and dear to my heart. Bustamante Children’s Hospital has become a staple in my life. We believe in supporting Bustamante, not just the Oncology Department, but the hospital as a whole. We could not have achieved this without our participants, sponsors and donors, and I thank each and every one of them for helping us make a meaningful difference.”

The next staging of the RAYZ for Life 5K is scheduled for Saturday, July 17, 2027.