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On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Jackson Health Foundation announced One Day for Jackson, a fundraising campaign dedicated to supporting Jackson, Miami-Dade County’s public health system.
The virtual fundraising event took place on April 4. Carlos A. Migoya, Jackson’s president and chief executive officer, Flavia Llizo, co-president and chief development officer of Jackson Health Foundation, and David A. Coulson, Jackson Health Foundation chairman, welcomed donors, dignitaries, community organizations, media, advocates, and Jackson staff to celebrate this significant milestone.
The Foundation has received widespread community support for this effort and had the help of local sports teams’ mascots to unveil the logo for One Day for Jackson.
One Day for Jackson will make a huge impact on the community. One hundred percent of funds raised will go toward supporting the most advanced treatments, innovative technologies, and leading-edge facilities at Jackson. Jackson Health Foundation is seeking the support of the community to provide hope for those in need of organ transplants, hope for a cure for paralysis, hope for trauma patients, and much more.
During the press conference, grateful patients shared their miracle stories and how Jackson saved their lives. The patients included:
● Erika Rolle, EdD, PA, heart transplant recipient
In 2006, Dr. Erika Rolle, EdD, PA was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy – a condition in which the heart muscle becomes enlarged and weaker, and often leads to heart failure. The Miami-Dade County school administrator who also works as a real estate agent continued to work, but her condition worsened.
She suffered a stroke, consecutively had mini strokes, and had a pacemaker implanted to resynchronize her heart rhythms. In 2011 Rolle was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and doctors implanted a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) while she waited for a heart transplant.
In 2015, Rolle underwent a successful heart transplant at the Miami Transplant Institute at Jackson Memorial Hospital. She will always be thankful to her donor, and the team of miracle workers who saved her life.
Erika’s appeal to the attendees at the press conference revealed why she is one with Jackson. Erika recalls, “Jackson made me feel like family. Throughout my process, I didn’t have to worry, because Jackson made it possible for me have that hope and keep that hope.”
● Joseph Patrick Fusco, born prematurely at 25 weeks. Patricia and Andrew Fusco faced the challenge of not being able to conceive, but Patricia’s best friend Katrina Wegmann, stepped in as her surrogate – an old promise Katrina made when they were kids.
Wegmann’s pregnancy was not easy, facing challenges like high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia, and Joseph Patrick, nicknamed JP, was born prematurely at 25 weeks. He remained under the care of the Holtz Children’s Hospital NICU team for 123 days.
Today, JP is a curious, independent toddler who loves nothing more than making those around him smile and laugh. His parents remain deeply thankful to the Holtz Children’s Team for their incredible support during JP’s journey.
Patricia shared at the press conference, “As a Jackson employee, I have heard countless, hundreds of miracles, never in my life did I think we would be a miracle story.”
● Sulamyn Diaz, double-amputee and bariatric surgery patient. After a life-changing accident where she lost both of her legs, Sulamyn Diaz found herself in a battle against depression and weight gain.
When discussing her weight-loss struggle with her primary care physician, he recommended meeting with Irving Miranda, MD, a bariatric surgeon at Jackson West Medical Center. During the initial appointment, Dr. Miranda bonded with Diaz over her resilience in the face of adversity.
Through gastric sleeve surgery and the support of Dr. Miranda and the incredible care team, Diaz has lost 48 pounds and regained her zest for life. She reached her goal of walking on prosthetics again and pursued her passion, becoming a licensed esthetician and proud owner of a spa.
Diaz is grateful to her bariatric surgery team at Jackson West for this second shot at life. Sulamyn recounted her touching testimonial and stated, “The care team at Jackson changed my life. I am strong now and I owe this almost entirely to Jackson. I am so incredibly grateful that I can’t find the words to thank Jackson.”
Flavia Llizo, co-president and chief development officer of Jackson Health Foundation, emphasized, “One Day for Jackson has the ability to positively impact the future of our health care. When lives are on the line, Jackson is always there, and we hope our community will come together and support us.”
Special thanks were extended to the Miami Heat, Marlins, Miami Dade County, City of Miami, University of Miami, and West Coast University for their commitment to support and help raise awareness of One Day for Jackson.
For more information about One Day for Jackson, visit https://onedayforjackson.org/ or call 305-585-GIVE (4483).
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