Nassau, Bahamas – The
Bahamas Postal Service on February 11 issued a commemorative postage
stamp to highlight the 50th anniversary of the Victor
Sassoon Heart Foundation. The stamp is being issued in denominations
of 15 cents; 50 cents; 65 cents and 70 cents.
The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas)
Heart Foundation has helped thousands of children in The Bahamas who
suffer from heart disease. It has provided clinics to identify heart
problems in children and when needed, the Foundation has paid for the
heart surgeries that have meant a full life for many.
The Foundation was created
after Sir Victor Sassoon Bart GBE died from heart complications in l961.
His widow, Lady Sassoon requested that in lieu of flowers, donations
were to be made to the local heart associations in his memory. After
finding out from the Princess Margaret Hospital that such associations
did not exist in The Bahamas, Lady Sassoon took it upon herself to create
one. In addition to paying for life saving surgeries for children, the
Foundation has purchased diagnostic machines and items to promote heart
care for the hospital. The Sassoon Heart Foundation is an all-volunteer
organisation.
As a part of fundraising efforts,
the Foundation hosts the annual Heart Ball. The ball has been held every
February for the past 47 years.
Sir Victor was born to a family
of merchants and bankers who lived in India and England. In the l920s,
Victor Sassoon moved to Shanghai, China, where he established most of
his own business enterprises. War broke out in the late l930s and he
was forced to flee, traveling throughout the world. After the war, Sir
Victor re-established his business empire in The Bahamas, England and
South America. He also dedicated himself to his passion for horse racing.
He was very successful at this endeavour and his horses won the English
Derby four times in eight years. He married the former Evelyn Barnes
(Lady Sassoon) in l959.
Lady Sassoon founded the foundation
in his honour in l961 after his death. It is now one of the most
respected charities in the Caribbean.
Join the fight against heart disease and have a ball!
