(left to right) Cayman Heart Fund Chairperson, Maureen Cubbon with Deputy Governor, Franz Manderson
(left to right) Cayman Heart Fund Board Members Ailian Evans, Director; Elyse Helfrecht, Director; Maureen Cubbon, Chairperson
Monique Hamaty (far left) and the team of Tortuga Rum Volunteers and members of staff
The crowd of volunteers and participants after the race and raffle
This past Sunday saw runners, walkers, and pups, up bright and early in Camana Bay for the inaugural Robert Hamaty Memorial Heart & Sole 5K in support of the Cayman Heart Fund. A crowd of over 100 people gathered just before dawn for the 6:30am start time in Camana Bay.
Deputy Governor, the Hon. Franz Manderson, was notably in attendance to support the Heart Fund.
“It was a pleasure to attend the Robert Hamaty Memorial Heart & Sole 5K Walk/Run on Sunday.” he said. “As someone who has suffered a heart attack, I can attest to the importance of keeping fit by regular exercise. I commend everyone involved in the event.”
The event was a part of the Cayman Heart Fund’s ongoing community partnership with Tortuga Rum Company and succeeds the ‘Robert Hamaty Heart of the Community Award’ presented for the first time at the Cayman Heart Fund’s ‘Heart of the Jungle’ Gala last month, on the 29 September.
A local advocate of organ transplants and the recipient of a heart transplant in 1998, Capt. Robert Hamaty was an unwavering supporter of the Cayman Heart Fund and their ceaseless work to ensure heart health advocacy, screening, social support, and awareness in the greater Cayman Islands community.
Mr. Eugene Nolan, CEO of Tortuga Rum Company, said “We are proud to stand alongside the Cayman Heart Fund in our shared commitment to heart health awareness.”
“The Robert Hamaty Memorial Heart & Sole Walk Run is not only a tribute to our Founder’s enduring legacy but also a testament to the importance of a healthy, thriving community.”
On behalf of the Hamaty family, Robert’s daughter Monique was in attendance and addressed the gathered runners, walkers, and volunteers after the race. With her brother, Captain Basil Hamaty, she commented “In loving memory of our father Robert Hamaty, a passionate advocate for heart health and organ donation, we are grateful and humbled by the incredible support shown at the Cayman Heart Fund 5k walk last Sunday. His legacy lives on through the outpouring of donations and the commitment of his children to carry forth his noble mission.”
Proceeds from the run will be used to open the Cayman Heart Fund’s Community Health Centre in the heart of the medical community in Pasadora Place. It will act as the home base for screenings, education and support groups going forward. The first event – the Freedom from Smoking Programme – will hold an information session on the 7th of November. The free classes, put on in partnership with the Cayman Islands Cancer Society, Health City and the Breast Cancer Foundation will provide the tools to quit smoking over 7 weeks, on Tuesdays from 5:30 - 7:30pm. For more information on the Freedom from Smoking Programme, please contact StopSmoking@healthcity.ky
The Cayman Heart Fund thanks the community, the volunteers, the local business owners who donated raffle prizes, and their sponsors: Tortuga Rum Company, Rotary, CUC, Ministry of Investment, Innovation & Social Development, Re/Max and Ogier.
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