T&T Heart Foundation honours its own

President Emeritus of the T&T Heart Foundation Dr Allan Mc Kenzie was among four people who were recently recognised for their charity work and contribution to the foundation. 

At its Awards and Installation Dinner, held at Soong’s Great Wall Restaurant and Lounge, San Fernando, the foundation also recognised Joan Awardy, Paul Regis and Dipinder Manocha.

In a brief address, Mc Kenzie told the newly appointed executive he was charging them with the responsibility of educating citizens about the perils of heart disease.

He cautioned they may encounter an uphill struggle as many citizens did not believe it could happen to them. Pointing out that heart disease can strike anyone at anytime, Mc Kenzie said, “one of the difficult things working with the heart association is that most people believe they will never get heart disease or a heart attack. 

“We all assume when we go home this evening (Saturday) we will get up in the morning. That is part of the problem.” 

The non-profit organisation, which was founded in1996, has been engaged in education programmes and charity events. 

Mc Kenzie encourage the executive to take the foundation, with its noble vision for the future, to a new level 

“We must stop wanting to be an ornamental association where people look at us and talk about us and the glitter with which we attract ourselves. We must be functional,” he said.

Mc Kenzie admitted that he knows it will be difficult to do since the Health ministry “has been far too conspicuous with its neglect of the Foundation.”

However, he urged the new executive not to give up and to continue to persevere.