The Jo Jamieson Fund
Meet Jo Jamieson
Jo Jamieson has dedicated her career to giving back. As a Canadian international development worker, she has extensive experience in the non-governmental sector with over 25 years of experience working in India. In fact, it was in India where Jo first met Jackie Elton. The two women joined forces to start an organization that would deliver comprehensive cleft care for children and families – and so Transforming Faces was founded!
Jo’s international connections, financial management background and passion for helping others brought TF from humble beginnings in 1999, to the organization it is today. She was a dedicated member of our Board of Directors for more than ten years before finally retiring, and continues to be a friend and advocate of TF today.
About the Jo Jamieson Fund
Transforming Faces wanted to commemorate Jo’s outstanding contribution towards advancing comprehensive cleft care worldwide. After more than 10 years of service, TF marked her retirement by setting up the Jo Jamieson Fund.
The Jo Jamieson Fund is a small fund which is designated for complex cleft cases – typically involving craniofacial issues or associated syndromes. This special fund is made available for patients referred by TF’s partners, with each patient being approved on a case-by-case basis.
Recipients of the Jo Jamieson Fund
SUPPORTING URGENT EAR SURGERIES IN INDIA
In 2017, the Jo Jamieson Fund supported TF’s Indian partner, SRMC in completing complex ear surgeries for five cleft patients. Children born with cleft often face challenges with hearing, with these being exceptionally complex cases.
These surgeries, while essential for the patients’ well-being, were costly – and the families could not afford the costs for these recommended procedures. Pictured is Kesavan, who was the first surgery recipient.
The Jo Jamieson Fund ensured that these five patients were able to receive the urgent care required.
MEET YEABSRA
TF first met Yeabsra in 2010, while visiting our partner in Ethiopia. We learned that in spite of our partner’s excellent cleft care services, that Yeabsra’s case was just too complicated for local treatment. In January 2012, the Jo Jamieson Fund helped bring Yeabsra and her mom to Toronto’s SickKids Hospital, where she underwent four surgeries before returning home to Ethiopia. TF’s former Executive Director, Esteban Lasso, explains: “Yeabsra is a special case in many ways. She faced many obstacles in trying to receive treatment. When local care was not available to treat her complex case, we could not turn our backs. We responded where others could not.”