In the world of medical miracles, there are heartwarming tales that reaffirm our faith in humanity. One such tale is the life journey of Jermaine, a brave 5-year-old boy from Jamaica.
Jermaine has been living with a pacemaker since he was just two weeks old. Born with a serious heart condition, Jermaine’s pacemaker has been keeping him alive, happy, and healthy for the past 5 years.
However, as he grew, so did his heart and his original pacemaker couldn’t keep up.
Jermaine’s mother was unable to work due to the demands of his care and his family found themselves at a loss. They were told that he would need a new pacemaker soon but the cost was steep — a $22,000 surgery and a $60,000 pacemaker.
Here’s a video of Jermaine’s Mother asking for help:
Jermaine’s story was first brought to our attention by The Rotary Club of New Kingston in Jamaica. Once we heard Jermaine’s story, we jumped into action. And that’s where Medtronic saved the day.
Medtronic is a global producer of medical devices and one of the most valuable partners of Gift of Life International. They supplied the high-priced pacemaker that Jermaine desperately needed.
This was also made possible through the support from our like-minded partners Chain of Hope Jamaica and Chain of Hope UK, and the generosity of Medtronic.
For those wondering, “What is a pacemaker?” — imagine your body is an orchestra and your heartbeat is the rhythm of the symphony… in this scenario, a pacemaker is a conductor who never tires, ceaselessly coordinating the heart’s rhythm. Every second, of every day, ticking away, conducting a heartbeat.
For Jermaine, his pacemaker, the conductor, is both a lifesaver and a life giver, enabling him to do what he loves most — riding his bike, playing soccer, and going to school.
For some of us living in developed nations, having a pacemaker might be a second thought or an inconvenience. But for those in the developing world like Jermaine, it’s an integral part of the journey to survival. It’s a beacon of hope, enabling the heart to continue its symphony.
Modern medicine, thankfully, has advanced such that individuals with pacemakers can lead normal, healthy lives for many years. Jermaine is no exception. He will go on to live a happy and healthy life thanks to Medtronic and every donor who gives to Gift of Life International.
Behind every beat of Jermaine’s heart, there’s a tale of endurance, hope, and the unwavering commitment of Gift of Life International.
Jermaine, the 5-year-old boy with a heartbeat echoing around the world, serves as a powerful reminder that when generous hearts decide to donate, we can all make a difference. You can read more about children just like him on our stories page.
Brenda Small is the Operations Consultant at Gift of Life International. She assumed this role in 2012.
Brenda was inspired to help children in need with heart disease after her third child was born with a complex heart defect and underwent successful open-heart surgery in her first year of life. Brenda learned of Gift of Life International in 2006 at which time she established Gift of Life Los Angeles where she holds the position of President. Between 2008 and 2012, Brenda volunteered her time to help with Gift of Life International in addition to running Gift of Life Los Angeles.
From 2012 to 2022, Brenda held the position of Director of Operations for Gift of Life International. Today, she continues this lifesaving work as Operations Consultant. Brenda also implemented the Nutritional Program in El Salvador in 2008 which has now provided nutritional support to more than 250 children and their families. Brenda has traveled with many of the Gift of Life training teams and witnessed these precious lives being saved.
