Representatives from Guardian Life Limited recently visited the Bustamante Hospital for Children to view newly delivered medical equipment funded through proceeds from the 2025 SHINE 5K Night Run/Walk.

The visit follows the ceremonial handover of funds in December 2025, when Guardian Life, through the Guardian Group Foundation, presented J$22.5 million to the two main beneficiaries—the Bustamante Hospital for Children and the Noel Holmes Hospital—to support the acquisition of essential medical equipment and supplies.

Guardian Life representatives toured the conference room at the Accident and Emergency building on March 9, where the equipment was freshly unboxed and displayed prior to being placed into service. The equipment includes patient monitors, cardiac monitoring devices, a portable ultrasound machine, suction machines, nebulisers, an ECG machine, examination lighting, pediatric blood pressure cuffs and a resuscitaire for emergency care of critically ill children.

Dr Michelle-Ann Richards-Dawson, senior medical officer at Bustamante Hospital for Children, expressed gratitude for the support. “This equipment will significantly strengthen our ability to monitor and respond to critically ill children in our Accident and Emergency Department. We thank Guardian Life and the many Jamaicans whose participation in SHINE made this possible,” she said.

Meghon Miller Brown, president of Guardian Life Limited, highlighted the initiative’s impact. “Seeing the equipment delivered and ready for use is a powerful reminder that SHINE is more than a run. It reflects the collective effort of thousands of Jamaicans supporting institutions like Bustamante Hospital that care for our most vulnerable,” she said.

Representing Guardian Life on the visit were president Meghon Miller Brown; Debby Livingston, vice president of corporate resources; and Oneil Clarke, vice president – Life, Health and Pension Sales. They were joined by members of the hospital’s leadership and clinical team, including CEO Anthony Wood; Richards-Dawson; Dr Mara Hosang, head of the Accident and Emergency Department; Michelle Finnikin-Campbell, acting director of nursing services; and Racquel Easington-Sewell, nursing manager.

Over 7,000 participants joined the 2025 SHINE 5K in Kingston and Montego Bay, raising funds to support healthcare resilience and community initiatives across Jamaica. The 2026 SHINE 5K will launch on March 20, with the Kingston run on May 23 and the Montego Bay run on May 30, raising funds for new beneficiaries—the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), Falmouth General Hospital—and returning partner Project STAR, now in its third year of support.