Bob Marley Statue Illuminated For World Heart Day 2026
By: , October 3, 2026
Photo: Contributed
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (centre) joins Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases and Injury Prevention Unit at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Tamu Davidson (left) and Executive Director of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Deborah Chen (right) in showing some love at the uplighting of the Bob Marley Statue at Independence Park in Kingston on September 24, in honour of World Heart Day, which was observed on September 29, under the theme 'Don’t Miss a Beat'.The Full Story
The iconic Bob Marley Statue at the corner of Arthur Wint Drive and Herb McKenley Drive was illuminated in red on September 24, as the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) staged its World Heart Day Uplighting Ceremony to raise awareness about cardiovascular health.
The ceremony formed part of the HFJ’s observance of World Heart Day 2026 and was held in collaboration with the World Heart Federation (WHF).
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange participated in the event along with Director, Non-communicable Diseases and Injury Prevention Unit in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Tamu Davidson. The illumination of the landmark was in keeping with the WHF’s global Shine for World Heart Day initiative, under which prominent landmarks around the world are lit in red to bring attention to cardiovascular disease and the need for greater public awareness and action.
The up-lighting initiative aims to raise public awareness of cardiovascular disease, identified by the World Heart Federation as the world’s leading cause of death.
It also seeks to make heart-health messages visible to large audiences through the use of well-known landmarks and create a powerful symbol of global solidarity as countries unite in support of the cause. HFJ Executive Director, Deborah Chen noted that the initiative “encourages conversations about prevention, early detection, and the importance of taking proactive steps to protect heart health”. “This also serves as a reminder that individuals, families, communities, and institutions all have a role to play in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease through education, healthy living, and timely medical intervention,” Mrs. Chen added.
The Executive Director emphasized that cardiovascular disease remains one of the most significant health challenges facing communities worldwide and highlighted the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles, knowing one’s risk factors, and seeking regular health checks. Founded in 1971 by the Lions Club of Kingston, the HFJ continues to lead national efforts to promote cardiovascular health and reduce heart disease through advocacy, public education, screening programmes, and community outreach initiatives.
World Heart Day was observed globally on September 29 under the theme ‘Don’t Miss a Beat’.
