Time for a heart to heart

Normal, Weekender
Source:

The National, Friday July 27th, 2012

JOE IVAHARIA meets the Kings of Hearts
FAMOUSLY recognised as the only suit in a traditional deck of cards to stand proudly and daringly without the artifice of facial concealment, the King of Hearts, unlike his three rivals, has forever been synonymous with purity, empathy and compassion.
It is therefore fitting that a lifelong group of friends from PNG and abroad have borrowed the
title of their namesake, to form a charitable or¬ganisation to help meet the demands of a country in need.
Touched by a series of personal tragedies and the desire to give back to local communities across the country, the Kings of Hearts are taking their first steps, quite literally, to raise funds to support the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute in Port Moresby raise funds to purchase lifesaving equipment.
They have organised a series of events to raise
vital funds beginning with a Bare Foot Bowls Day at the Defence Bowling Club on July 28, the PNGFM Charity Walk-A-Thon on August 18, a ‘Survivor’ type amazing road race for the fittest on September 18 and then following in the footsteps of their forefathers, 12 members of the King of Hearts will set out in October from the 15 to 22 to conquer the Kokoda track in the name of charity.
Relying on the generous support of corporations across the country, friends, family and the public at large, the Kings of Hearts are endeavoring to raise PGK300,000.00 to purchase a much-needed Echo Machine to help detect and reduce the prevalence of heart disease in Papua New Guinea.
Endorsed by the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute and financially-administered by Deloitte Touche Tohmastu, you can be assured that your donation will be contributing to the health and wellbeing of thousands of Papua New Guineans each and every year.
How it all started
Born ten weeks premature in the developing country of Papua New Guinea, Tristan’s parents, Raymond and Joanne Romalus, faced the heart¬breaking prognosis that their son would struggle for survival.
Adding to their concerns, Tristan’s first consulta¬tion with a physician confirmed that the two-week-old was suffering from a heart murmur, and was immediately referred to a Pediatric Cardiologist at the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute in Port Moresby for diagnosis.
The Pediatric Cardiologist revealed that Tris¬tan was born with a congenital heart defect called a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) in the muscu¬lar area of the heart – an opening in the dividing wall between the two lower chambers of the heart known as the right and left ventricles.
Over the coming months, Tristan and his parents met with doctors on a fortnightly basis to evaluate whether his VSD would close on its own, or wheth¬er he would require surgery. This meant regular visits to the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute, where an Echo Machine would scan Tristan’s heart in the search for improvement.
Thankfully, after a tiring two years, doctors ad¬vised that Tristan’s heart had repaired itself. While he is still prone to illness and requires regular check-ups, Tristan’s fighting spirit and the staff and resources at the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute have allowed him to lead a full and active life.
Due to Tristan’s early detection and ongoing monitoring, our story has a happy ending. Yet for others, the same isn’t necessarily the case, Ray¬mond adds. The Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute currently functions with just two portable Echo Heart Machines, used both in Port Moresby and across the country on life-saving missions. As well as diagnosing congenital heart defects and lifestyle-related heart disease in pa¬tients of all ages, these vital pieces of equipment help prepare patients for ‘Operation Open Heart,’ a surgery program conducted once a year by Australian volun¬teers. Operation Open Heart has now visited Papua New Guinea 18 times, saving an average of 60 lives per visit. The addition of a third Echo Machine will greatly boost the number of patients suitable for surgery, as well as save thousands of lives via daily defect detection.
At the heart of the team
President – Raymond Romalus
Having relocated to Port Moresby from Rabaul in 2005, the arrival of Raymond’s son Tristan, the ‘little miracle’, allowed Ray to simultaneously experience the compassion and crises inherent in the Papua New Guin¬ea health service.
"Tristan’s heart defect was being monitored by the amazing staff at the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute," Ro¬malus said.
"But it became evident that our fellow countrymen and women were at a disadvantage because they didn’t have access to basic medical facilities. It is inexcusable and shouldn’t be tolerated."
Understanding just how important medical resources are in curbing the growing rate of heart disease amongst his fellow people, Ray and wife Joanne founded the Kings of Hearts to instigate a change. "We are proud to say that we are giving something back to this institute, for without them, our precious little Tristan wouldn’t be with us right now."
Vice President – Alan Manning
Hailing from Rabaul, Alan spent his final years of school in Sydney, Australia, before spending a further six playing professional rugby union with the NSW Waratahs. Yet his hiatus from PNG didn’t last long, with Alan returning to Port Moresby in 2011 as the General Manger of South Sea Horizons.
After losing his father to an unexpected heart attack in 2007, Alan has been looking for a way to further the heart health of his fellow countrymen.
"My greatest hope is that the Kings of Hearts becomes a life-changing foundation," Manning said. In the twelve years to 2007, the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute tested 23,236 patients for heart defects, so the acquisition of a further Echo Machine will literally touch the hearts of thousands of people in the future."
Co-Founder – Anthony Toscano
Anthony is a founder of popular sporting brand Axellerate Sports, a company which associates itself with major PNG sporting teams such as the Rabaul Gurias.
Touched by his father’s two major heart attacks in 2008, Anthony knows first hand how lifesaving equipment can keep your loved ones alive. Anthony’s father has been fortunate enough to receive the best possible care with the Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, and to this day his father continues to live a normal life with the aid of a pacemaker.
Anthony is also godfather to Tristan Romalus and has experienced the difference of having loved ones in Australia and PNG who need the same equipment to survive, the only difference being the availability of lifesaving equipment.
Public Relations Executive – Allen Kedea
Having heavily invested in the local arts industry, Port Moresby-based Allen Kedea, alias AK47, is one of the country’s most innovative music producers and up-and-coming DJs. As a natural visionary, Allen saw the opportunity to join the Kings of Hearts as yet another way to contribute to his beloved homeland, and lend a helping hand to a family member seriously affected by heart disease.
"My greatest hope for the organisation is that we can reach all our goals and deliver health assistance to those who need it most," Kedea said.
"The best thing about being part of the Kings of Hearts is just doing something for others, and helping people to realise that in most cases, early heart dis¬ease detection can lead to a positive outcome."
Other Foundation members are Joanne Romalus, Stephen Thomson, Emily Thomson, Jims Rekisa, Sherman Beangke, Alvin Manoa, Willie Rikis, Peter Tsiamalili.
The Kings of Hearts have started the fundraising drive for this worthy cause and will need all the sup¬port it can get from you, stakeholders including cor¬porate entities, business houses, community at large, friends and individuals.
You don’t have to wait until it is your turn … assist now.
For further information on the Kings of Hearts please contact Raymond Romalus on 320 2290 / 7202 6969 or Email: [email protected] or Alan Manning on 7128 6616 or Email: alan@southseaho¬rizons.com or visit The Kings of Hearts online at: www.facebook.com/kingsofheartsPNG
Miracle boy …
Tristan Romalus
Dame Carol Kidu (centre) surrounded by members of Kings of Hearts and staff of the Heart Institute