Duncan Tree Benefit raises over $55,000 at inaugural Scoliosis Care Fund Benefit.
March 9th, 2012, DTF Release

The Duncan Tree Scoliosis Fund Benefit held on March 6, 2012 launched a humanitarian effort in Jamaica that will provide children with scoliosis the corrective surgery they could not otherwise afford.

The event helped raise approximately $10,000 through donations, corporate sponsorships, a raffle and silent auction. Medtronic, a world leader in medical technology solutions, agreed to provide pedicle screws and rods needed for the operations – a donation valued at $45,000 – for the first two DTF Scoliosis Care Fund recipients. This includes a donation of the instrumentation needed during the surgeries.

The first two corrective spine surgeries, scheduled for March 30, 2012, are for two 16-year olds, Nickesha Haughton, from Hanover Parish, and Monique Gregory from St. Elizabeth Parish Jamaica, who both have a more than 50 degree curvature in their spines. The goal is to help at least 25 adolescents in Jamaica, including Nickesha and Monique who suffer from moderate to severe scoliosis, get this surgery this year and to expand that effort to help children around the world to get this life-changing operation. We hope to raise another $230,000 for the remaining 23 adolescents we would like to assist this year.

Currently, the Jamaican government provides free healthcare to its citizens but doesn't cover the cost of the implants for under-resourced patients. Had this same surgery been performed in the U.S. it would cost approximately $300,000 per patient.

Dr. Boachie-Adjei, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and Chief of the Scoliosis Service and Associate Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and founder of the non-profit, Foundation of Orthopedic and Complex Spine (FOCOS), will lead a team of surgical volunteers. Sponsored by Duncan Tree Foundation, they will fly to Jamaica, where they will perform the surgeries and provide a two-hour Continuing Medical Education Lecture on Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis to local surgeons, nurses and medical school residents.

Duncan Tree would like to thank the generous participation of our Benefit co-chairs, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, and Susan L. Taylor, and to thank our corporate sponsors: Medtronic USA; The FOCOS Foundation; JWT-NY; Hospital for Special Surgery; and Mark Smith State Farm Agency of Farmingdale.

We would also like to acknowledge performers and companies who donated their time, services and products: Beverly Withers, Soprano at the Metropolitan Opera; Blossette Kitson; Sheena Vaughn, Fine Artist; Joseph Conrad Robinson, Vocal Coach; New York International Ballet Company; Khaphar Dance Company; SoDisrespectful Band; Nat Valentine, Photographer; James Media Group; Irie Jam Radio; Soukenberi Eco-friendly products; Pizza by Certe; Irie Massage; Audilou Jewelry; Di Foto Shoppe Jamaica WI; Tea for Two Photography; Green Grape Provisions; and the Sud Bar.

Our Goals in 2012

The things we were able to achieve in 2011 serve as a benchmark for what we look to accomplish in 2012. Among our goals:

• Greater involvement with Global Giving, to help others around the world in need of medical care and education.

• Organizing a quarterly HPV awareness program. Targeting middle school and high school children and their parents who live in underserved areas in New York City, we look to address the critical need for education about HPV. This new initiative is made possible in part by a $10,000 donation from Reggie Van Lee on behalf of his sister, who died of cervical cancer just three weeks after being diagnosed.

• Expanding our prostate cancer education awareness program, as we continue to work with MSKCC Partnership for Community Outreach programs and seek to help others.

• Enlisting the help of 30 new volunteers, participants and medical professionals