Jesse was born with only one functioning kidney, though no one knew for more than a decade. His other kidney was severely underdeveloped, no larger than a pea, while his body quietly coped with the demands of childhood and adolescence. That changed in 2023 when, at just 14 years old, his only working kidney began to fail. Suddenly, his body struggled to regulate fluids, and his family faced the frightening uncertainty of what lay ahead.

A glimpse of hope arrived in late 2025 when Jesse was scheduled to undergo a life-saving kidney transplant in October. But nature intervened. Hurricane Melissa swept across the island, forcing doctors to postpone the surgery. For three long months, Jesse and his family –his parents Carson and Natida Thompson, and his sisters Jadah and Janai – lived in anxious anticipation, waiting for conditions to stabilize and for the medical team to resume the critical procedure.

“Miss Melissa came to visit, and she had been planning it for a while. While she was sitting offshore doing her thing, we were trying to make our plans,” Carson Thompson shared. “We kept making these early morning trips from Westmoreland to UHWI for blood tests and scans, just trying to reach the finish line—and then everything stopped.”

The hurricane did more than delay Jesse’s surgery. It also struck at the heart of the family’s stability, severely damaging their home. As they waited for a new surgery date, they were also forced to confront the loss of their physical shelter and the uncertainty of rebuilding.

Mr. Thompson said the family found comfort in the consistent support of the CHASE Fund team during this time.

“They called to check on Jesse, to check on Natida, and to ask how I was doing. They asked how we managed during the storm, about the house, how we were going to rebuild, and where we were staying now. We can’t describe the level of support,” he said.

On January 8, 2026, the long wait finally ended. In a powerful act of love and sacrifice, Jesse’s mother entered the operating theatre to donate one of her kidneys to her son.

The surgery was a race against time. Jesse’s treatment had been complicated by his small, fragile veins, which often collapsed under the strain of repeated procedures. By the time of the transplant, he had undergone nearly ten catheter placements as doctors struggled to maintain access for dialysis.

“Normally when you place a catheter in one area, especially with veins like his, they collapse and you may never be able to use that site again,” Mrs. Thompson explained. “They have placed catheters everywhere they could. If this one had failed, we honestly don’t know how he would have continued. This transplant was the last door open for him.”

The transplant was successfully performed by local surgeons at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in partnership with Transplant Links Community (TLC), a British charity that promotes life-saving transplant procedures and provides training to specialists worldwide. For several years, the CHASE Fund has supported this effort by providing financial assistance for the transfer of skills under the National Kidney Transplant Programme, which brings together specialists from Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), and the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC).

Jesse was discharged on January 28, 2026, and is recovering well. However, the family now faces significant medical expenses, including hospital fees and the lifelong medication Jesse must take to prevent rejection of his new kidney. To help ease this burden, the CHASE Fund approved a $1.5 million grant to support the family as they continue their journey toward recovery and rebuilding their lives.

Mr. Thompson shared a final message of encouragement for others facing similar challenges.

“If you or a family member is diagnosed with kidney disease, it’s not a death sentence. We are eternally grateful to CHASE. It is God who decides how we live… and until that day comes, we hold on to hope.”

Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/9itTrSrFlm0?si=lRvSeZmn4GJRCdEz

The project has transformed the institution into a moving students from inadequate conditions into a modern, resilient facility designed to foster development. The renovation and construction includes fully furnished, ventilated classrooms, specialized administrative blocks, and reinforced infrastructure built to the highest engineering standards.

Chairman of the CHASE Fund, Omar Frith, expressed immense pride in the scale and intent of the contribution.

“As Chairman, I am extremely proud of this massive contribution. This is the largest single investment that the CHASE Fund has made in early childhood education,” Mr. Frith stated. “We understand that this is going to contribute significantly to increasing access, not just to quality education, but to quality spaces where children can learn and develop into the greatest futures they can dream of.”

The CEO of the CHASE Fund, W. Billy Heaven, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the strategic shift from the school’s humble beginnings in 1953 to its current state. He emphasized that the project is rooted in the “science of learning” rather than just physical construction.

“In early childhood education, we don’t create a teaching environment; we create a learning environment,” the CEO remarked. “Today we celebrate more than a building or the unveiling of a plaque; we celebrate early childhood development. This $139 million investment ensures a safer, sounder, and more stimulating space for our children.”

The CEO further revealed that since its inception, the CHASE Fund has invested a staggering $7.74 billion in early childhood education across Jamaica, with 74% of that dedicated to building, reconstruction, and equipping schools. He pointed out that the 17% return on investment in early childhood education is higher than any commercial sector, yielding long-term benefits such as a more civilized, productive, and tax-paying workforce.

The new facility is also a model of resilience. Referring to the high standards of CHASE’s engineering work, the CEO noted that similar projects undertaken by CHASE in Western Jamaica, have withstood severe weather without losing “even a nail head,” ensuring the May Pen community has a legacy that will last for generations.

The ceremony concluded with a commitment to continued monitoring and support for the school, ensuring that the staff and students have the necessary tools to maintain this new standard of excellence.

“The scholarships are intended to help defray the cost of studies in priority areas consistent with national policy,” Heaven said. He also disclosed that all recipients of cumulative grants of $300,000 or more are bonded and required to maintain a minimum ‘B’ average.

Underscoring the long-term impact of the initiative, Heaven added, “When we support students in teachers’ colleges, we are not only investing in individual ambition, but in the strength of our education system and the generations it will shape. Empowering teachers is one of the most powerful ways to secure national development.”

For more than two decades, the CHASE Fund has been quietly reshaping early childhood infrastructure across Jamaica. Since 2002, the organisation has invested in the construction of purpose-built infant school facilities designed not just to educate, but to endure.

At the heart of this achievement is a clear philosophy, articulated by CHASE Fund CEO W. Billy Heaven: “When we build a school, we are not simply putting up walls and a roof—we are creating a place of safety, dignity, and continuity for our children and their communities. Storms will come, but our responsibility is to ensure that learning, hope, and protection remain standing long after the winds have passed.”

Mr. Heaven explained that this long-term view has guided every CHASE Fund intervention. “We were committed to ensuring that schools were properly built and ready for occupancy, which is why most of these projects include the provision of furniture as well. Hurricanes like Beryl and Melissa remind us that quality construction is not optional—it is essential.”

Building with resilience in mind

Working in close partnership with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), the CHASE Fund strategically placed emphasis on structural integrity, improved roofing systems, reinforced foundations, and overall build quality. That strategy proved decisive.

When Hurricane Melissa struck in October 2025 with high winds and torrential rainfall, infant schools constructed by the CHASE Fund across some of the most severely affected parishes remained standing and secure. Post-hurricane assessments revealed no structural damage—clear evidence that lessons learned from previous storms had been successfully embedded into stronger construction standards.

A site visit to Bounty Hall Primary and Infant School in Trelawny underscored this success. Principal Ilna Greyson confirmed to CHASE Fund project officers that while sections of perimeter fencing were damaged by fallen trees, the infant school building itself remained fully intact. Subsequent inspections found no hurricane-related structural damage.

Similar visual and technical assessments across multiple CHASE-built institutions produced the same results: the buildings were structurally sound and fully capable of withstanding extreme weather events. Hurricane Melissa became the ultimate test—and these schools passed.

Schools as safe havens

Beyond their educational purpose, several CHASE-built infant schools became literal sanctuaries during the storm. Some facilities were used as emergency shelters, offering safety and stability to residents displaced by Hurricane Melissa.

The Infant Department at Bickersteth Primary and Infant School in St. James, was renovated by the CHASE Fund. A section of that department is currently being used to house homeless persons in the aftermath of the hurricane—powerful evidence of the broader community value of resilient public infrastructure.

“This speaks volumes about the quality of the construction and the foresight behind these investments,” Mr. Heaven noted, praising CHASE’s management team, contractors, consultants, and the rigorous site supervision applied throughout its projects.

Among the schools built and renovated by the CHASE Fund that successfully withstood both Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa are:

• Unity Primary and Infant School
• Bounty Hall Primary and Infant School
• Farm Primary and Infant School
• Buckingham Primary and Infant School
• Pondside Primary and Infant School
• Christiana Moravian Primary & Infant School
• Roses Valley Primary and Infant School
• Leeds Primary and Infant School
• Santa Cruz Primary and Infant School
• Happy Grove Primary and Infant School
• Lacovia Primary and Infant School
• Friendship Primary and Infant School
• Bickersteth Primary and Infant School

As climate-related events grow more frequent and more intense, the experience of 2025 delivers a clear and urgent lesson: resilient construction is not a luxury—it is a necessity. For hundreds of young learners and the communities that depend on these schools, the CHASE Fund’s commitment to building to last has made all the difference.

The impressive performance of the Holmwood students is a testament to the talent fostered by the school and is a highlight of our ongoing collaboration, which began with their participation in the 2024 Blue Run and continued. This sustained involvement showcases the CHASE Fund’s commitment to investing in our nation’s youth through sports and health initiatives.

Holmwood Technical’s Notable 2025 Achievements:

Wearing their distinctive CHASE Fund Pink Jerseys, the Holmwood Technical students achieved outstanding results in the Women’s Category:

• 2nd Place (Overall Tie): Florence Nafamba (placing for the second year in a row) and Jovi Rose secured a phenomenal joint second-place finish overall, both with a time of 21:14.

• Category Champion: Young star Ronesha Rhule dominated her age group (Females 12 and Under) with a swift time of 24:09, earning a remarkable three trophies for her effort.

The CHASE Fund extends heartfelt congratulations to the Holmwood Technical High School team and all participants. We look forward to continuing this impactful partnership in future health and community runs.

The CHASE team, which currently has 223 persons registered under Team CHASE Fund, will join hundreds of participants dressed in pink, the colour globally recognized for breast cancer awareness.

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Jamaican women. Despite its prevalence, public conversations around the disease are often limited, and screenings are frequently delayed due to stigma and lack of information. The CHASE Fund has long been an advocate for health initiatives that empower citizens with the tools and knowledge to make informed choices about their well-being.

“The involvement of a major organization like CHASE can inspire others to get involved, whether through donations, participation, or simply spreading the word. Each runner on the CHASE team becomes an ambassador for the cause, helping to inform colleagues, friends, and family about breast cancer, its risks, and the importance of early detection,” said Alfred Francis, Managing Director, of Running Events Jamaica, organisers of the Pink Run 5K.

By supporting the Pink Run, the CHASE Fund aims to bring national attention to the importance of early detection, regular screening, and the need for women to prioritize their health.

“The fight against cancer, and breast cancer in particular, is a cause that aligns strongly with our mission in the health sector,” said W. Billy Heaven, CEO of the CHASE Fund. “We are proud to be a part of the Pink Run 5K because we believe that through awareness, education, and early detection, lives can be saved. Our presence is not just symbolic—it’s a call to action.”

CHASE Fund’s commitment goes beyond participation. Under its Health portfolio, the Fund invests 20 percent of its resources in vital areas such as infrastructure upgrades, acquiring modern equipment and technologies for hospitals, health centres, and clinics, and facilitating the training of health care practitioners.

Specific initiatives to improve cancer detection, treatment, and care include:

• Training Oncology nurses.

• Investing in prostate cancer and breast cancer cell line research.

• Past funding partnerships which established the National Cancer Treatment Centres located at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kingston and the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay.

Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Jamaican men. Despite its prevalence, public conversations around the disease are often limited, and screenings are frequently delayed due to stigma and lack of information. The CHASE Fund has long been an advocate for health initiatives that empower citizens with the tools and knowledge to make informed choices about their well-being.

“The involvement of a major organization like CHASE can inspire others to get involved, whether through donations, participation, or simply spreading the word. Each runner on the CHASE team becomes an ambassador for the cause, helping to inform colleagues, friends, and family about prostate cancer, its risks, and the importance of early detection,” said Alfred Francis, Managing Director, of Running Events Jamaica, organisers of the Blue Run 5K.

By supporting the Blue Run, the CHASE Fund aims to bring national attention to the importance of early detection, regular screening, and the need for men to prioritize their health.

“The fight against cancer, and prostate cancer in particular, is a cause that aligns strongly with our mission in the health sector,” said W. Billy Heaven, CEO of the CHASE Fund.

“We are proud to be a part of the Blue Run 5K because we believe that through awareness, education, and early detection, lives can be saved. Our presence is not just symbolic — it’s a call to action,” he added.

Under its Health portfolio, the CHASE Fund invests 20 percent of its resources in infrastructure upgrades, acquiring modern equipment and technologies for hospitals, health centres and clinics and facilitating training of health care practitioners.

Specific initiatives to improve cancer detection, treatment and care include training Oncology nurses, investing in prostate cancer and breast cancer cell line research and past funding partnerships which established the National Cancer Treatment Centres located at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kingston and the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay.

All the books used on the day, as well as those donated to the schools, were written by Jamaican authors including the popular “Jamaica in My Tummy” by Jean Hawthorn-DaCosta, who joined the CHASE Team to read to students from her book about a Jamaican girl’s gastronomic journey across the island.

“Reading is a cornerstone of education and empowerment,” said Latoya Aquart-Foster, Project Manager the CHASE Fund. “By participating in Read Across Jamaica Day, we hope to motivate children to read more from an early age. Each book they pick up is a chance to meet new characters, explore different cultures, and experience thrilling stories that can inspire them in countless ways,” she said.

The RAJD initiative aligns with the CHASE Fund’s broader mission to support educational projects, literacy programmes, and community activities that enhance learning outcomes across Jamaica for students at the early childhood education level.

In addition to the donation of books to the Jamaica Library Service and schools, the CHASE Fund has been supporting literacy programmes that specifically target early childhood students. One of these programmes, Read Right from the Start (RRFTS), was implemented in partnership with the United Way of Jamaica. The RRFTS professional learning model provided teachers with the support and resources needed to help students bridge the language and literacy gap commonly present in early learners.

The CHASE Fund has also given funding support to the Lindamood Bell Learning Process workshops administered by Creative Language-Based Learning. Workshops and seminars have facilitated presentations on learning methodology aimed at identifying children with language, spelling and comprehension challenges and provided learning techniques and solutions using concept imagery, sound and speech to improve language comprehension and thinking.

W. Billy Heaven, CEO of the CHASE Fund, noted that some of the CHASE Funded programmes have been aimed at special needs students. One such project was the Early Childhood Development Legacy Project, spearheaded by the Early Childhood Commission and implemented at the Savanna-la- Mar Inclusive Infant Academy which has been a model for public and private partnership, providing early childhood education services to children with special needs in Westmoreland.

“Ensuring the literacy achievement of students with special needs is a fundamental component of providing equitable and inclusive education. These students often face unique challenges that can hinder their access to and progress in literacy skills, which are essential for academic success, social integration, and lifelong learning. By prioritizing targeted interventions, differentiated instruction, and supportive resources, educators can create an environment where all students, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to develop strong literacy skills,” Heaven said.

Under its Education portfolio, the CHASE Fund focuses on building infant schools and resource centres; equipping and upgrading early childhood institutions; health screening and providing scholarships for specialist training in Early Childhood Education.

CHASE CEO, W. Billy Heaven, noted that the ambulance donated to the St. Elizabeth Infirmary was one of two which had been acquired at a cost of $33.6M and that the other ambulance would be handed over the Portland Infirmary at a later date. “This occasion represents more than the handover of an ambulance. It is an indication of our shared commitment to dignity, care and service for our most vulnerable citizens”, Heaven said.

Emphasizing the need for the vehicle, the Hon. Desmond McKenzie, the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, noted the distance of the Infirmary from the nearest hospitals in Black River and Mandeville. “Each infirmary is going to be equipped with an ambulance to support the work of the staff and to provide for the residents,” the Minister said referring to his Ministry’s plan for the 13 infirmaries across the island.

Minister McKenzie informed the audience of agency heads, community leaders, healthcare professionals, infirmary residents and community members a previous partnership with the CHASE Fund which had resulted in the acquisition of generators for infirmaries. “The government has recognized the importance of moving with modern times and since 2016 we have been improving the service delivery in infirmaries across the country,” the Minister said.

The Chairman of the CHASE Fund, Omar Frith, highlighted the Fund’s track record of responding to needs of the health sector and that CHASE’s Health sector budget was always over-subscribed. He noted that the Fund had approved the request quickly but that the procurement of the ambulance had taken some time. Chairman Frith stressed the need for good governance. “We follow the rules and can properly account for the resources that we expend,” he said.

The CHASE Chairman also noted that there seemed sometimes to be a disconnect between agencies and the overall mandate of the government but advised that the CHASE Board of Directors was acutely aware that the Fund exists to serve the country at large and the mandate of the Government of Jamaica.

Under its Health portfolio, the CHASE Fund invests 20 percent of its resources in infrastructure upgrades, acquiring modern equipment and technologies for hospitals,

health centres and clinics, promotion of healthy lifestyles and facilitating training of health care practitioners.

Mr. Miller’s journey began on a trip to Florida, United States, to attend a wedding. He said that as he rose to deliver the best man speech, his tongue felt heavy and he experienced a total loss of energy.  Over the next few days, he experienced shortness of breath and noticed swelling in his fingers.  A visit to the doctor revealed that he was in kidney failure.  Miller said he was floored by the diagnosis. “The doctors asked me if there were family members who suffered from kidney failure and I said that my uncle had died from it. They said I had kidney failure and I blacked out,” he shared.  Miller recounts that he was admitted to hospital in Florida and treated.  After his return to Jamaica, he was put on dialysis.

ESRD occurs when the kidneys can no longer filter waste from the blood, leading to a buildup of toxins and fluids in the body. For Miller, his ESRD was tied to his long-standing battle with hypertension, and “sugar” which he said was controlled. He said that he neither drank nor smoked, two lifestyle practices that can put you at risk for kidney disease.

Patients with ERSD often face a long journey that includes frequent dialysis sessions, surgical interventions, and lifestyle changes. The financial implications are profound, with costs for treatment, medications, and potential lost wages placing immense strain on patients and their families.

“It is very expensive,” he says of dialysis as a treatment option. “People pass away because they cannot afford it.”  Miller said that after six years of treatment, he approached the CHASE Fund for help with his dialysis. He said the doctor at the dialysis centre provided a letter to the CHASE Fund to confirm treatment and the Fund approved funds to subsidize his treatment.  Mr. Miller receives dialysis two days a week.

Mr. Miller disclosed that when he could no longer work, he felt like giving up.  The cost of his healthcare weighed heavily on his mind as well as the cost to maintain a healthier diet.  He said through his faith in God and with the support of his family, he has persevered.

Click here to watch his testimony on YouTube.