The Sandals Foundation, the non-profit arm of Sandals Resorts International is looking to raise much-needed funds for the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative with the first ever staging of Streak it Blue, a 5k Fun Run and After-Party in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

The SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI) is a not-for-profit collaboration between the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and various institutions across six Caribbean islands. Through partnerships in St. Vincent, Barbados, Bahamas, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Jamaica, the SCI works to provide the best possible management for pediatric cancer and to improve outcomes for children affected by cancers and serious blood disorders in the Caribbean.

The initiative allows medical professionals in the Caribbean to connect with SickKids oncologists and haematologists in Canada to collaborate on treatment options and facilitates training and education to support the early identification and treatment of children living with these devastating diseases in the Caribbean.

At present, the SCI believes that children in the Caribbean have a 50 percent chance of surviving cancer while those in Canada have an 85 percent chance.

With this in mind, The Sandals Foundation is making a special appeal for individuals or companies to sponsor a child to participate in Streak It Blue, with all proceeds going directly to the SCI. Set for May 24, 2014, Streak It Blue is a unique two-part event which promises two distinct experiences; an exciting 5k Fun Run and an after-party at Sandals Grande Riviera’s exclusive Ochi Beach Club.

Sponsoring a child costs only US$30 and will allow that child the opportunity to participate in the 5k run as well as the kiddie after-party which will feature bouncy castles, hot dogs, cotton candy and ice-cream.

Since the Launch of the SCI in February 2013, the Sandals Foundation has donated CAD$250,000 to the initiative. The most recent donation of CAD$200,000 will go towards the renovation of a telemedicine facility at Victoria Hospital in St Lucia. Telemedicine rooms are already in operation in the Bahamas and Barbados under the SCI initiative and over the next six months, three more facilities will open in Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia.

President of the Sandals Foundation Adam Stewart said Streak It Blue is a unique way for the Sandals Foundation to increase awareness about and raise money for the SCI while allowing children and adults to have a good time.

He said, “There are hundreds of children across the Caribbean struggling with cancer on a daily basis. That these children have a smaller chance of surviving than their peers in Canada and North America is heartbreaking and this is why the Sandals Foundation fully supports the Sickkids Caribbean Initiative and its mandate to improve the chances of the children in the Caribbean. Every child deserves a fair chance at survival and the SCI strives to give children across the Caribbean this chance. Through Streak It Blue we are doing our part to support the SCI and we urge everyone to do the same.”

To play your part in boosting the chances of sick children across the region, visit www.streakingitblue.com and make your contribution today.

PHOTO: Leukemia survivor Jameca with her father, Adrian.