Campbell, who has since retired from track and field, suffered a near death experience at the Millrose Games in February 2019. The now 29-year-old collapsed after stepping off the track in New York where he was the pace-setter for the men’s 3000m at the indoor meet.
He was rushed to the nearby Intensive Care Unit at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Hospital. He was eventually fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and later with a pacemaker after suffering another scare a year later.
His medical bills amounted to hundreds of thousands of US dollars. He had managed to pay a portion of the bill but a substantial balance had remained.
That balance has now been settled by the Jamaican government.
Minister Olivia Grange announced on Wednesday that the outstanding amount of just under USD$71,000 had been paid off.
According to a statement from the ministry, the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Plan paid USD$ 31,677 towards the settlement of his medical bill while Campbell also paid an amount through his personal insurance but there was still an outstanding balance.
“The Ministry felt duty bound to assist Kemoy,” Minister Grange said.
“He has performed well for Jamaica and in fact, as we know, he fell ill on the track. And so, the least we could do to show appreciation and gratitude to him was to assist in his time of need.”
Campbell was overwhelmed by the gesture from the government.
“My family and I would like to sincerely thank Minister Grange for helping me with my medical bills, he said.
“After my second incident in March 2020, the minister reached out to me and told me that I shouldn’t worry about the bills as she was willing to help me pay for my medical expenses following my surgery.
“This meant so much to me because my hospital stay and surgery were very expensive. Knowing that the minister and Jamaica were there for me during this tough time helped me get through the months following. I really appreciate everything that the minister and Jamaica have done for me and will always be grateful.”
Meantime, Minister Grange used the opportunity to encourage other athletes to sign up for the insurance scheme.
“I am happy that through the JAIP and the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) we were able to give Kemoy the level of assistance that concluded the settlement of his medical bills and that he is doing well,” she said.
“I continue to encourage athletes to sign up for the JAIP and maintain contact with the Sport Division of the Ministry to ensure that their health and welfare matters are in order.”
“Everything must be done to assist Kemoy,” said Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange.
The Olympian reported on social media that he underwent surgery on the weekend to replace an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) in his chest after passing out while driving. He said the new device would also function as a pacemaker.
Minister Grange said she was “relieved that Kemoy was not hurt when he passed out while driving and that the surgery was a success.”
She thanked all those who have been attending to the athlete and said the Ministry “stands ready to assist him.”
Minister Grange said Campbell was covered under the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Plan — which provides health, life and personal accident coverage — and he is entitled to use it to deal with medical expenses.
Under the Group Health component of the Plan, Campbell can get 80 per cent coverage for hospital fees. Minister Grange said the Ministry would assist him with the balance if required.
“We continue to pray for Kemoy’s recovery and will do what is necessary to assist him at this time,” Minister Grange said.
Had it not been for an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) implanted in his chest last February after his collapse in New York, this story might have been about a tragedy.
Campbell, who has since retired from distance running, posted in his Instagram account on Thursday that he was driving when he began to pass out. Luckily, the ICD that was implanted in his chest, shocked his heart back into a normal rhythm.
He said that he was then able to pull over and call the emergency services.
He has since undergone tests including X-rays and Echo scans and an MRI as doctors try to determine a course of treatment for the Olympian.
On Saturday, February 9, 2019, Campbell collapsed after stepping off the track while running as the pacemaker in the men's 3,000 metres.
He fell unconscious and emergency responders worked for several minutes to revive him before transporting him to the Intensive Care Unit at the nearby New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Hospital where he spent the next three weeks undergoing tests.
However, doctors were unable to determine what made him collapse and eventually pass out.
Campbell would eventually announce his retirement in September on the advice of his doctors.
Campbell, who retired from track and field last September, seven months after collapsing at the Millrose Games in New York, was fitted with a new ICD. However, the new one will act as a pacemaker.
“This is because, in order to give me medication for arrhythmias, my heart rate needs to beat faster. They are hoping this will help prevent any further incident,” Campbell posted on Instagram below a picture of him in a hospital bed.
Campbell was driving on Tuesday when he began to pass out. Fortunately, his ICD provided an electrical shock that got his heart beating again allowing him to pull over and call emergency services.
However, he is not out of the woods just yet, as he says he needs help in covering the expenses related to his surgery and medical care.
“Unfortunately, I am going to need everyone’s help again as the medical expenses will be high once again. If there is anything you can give it would really mean a lot,” said the Jamaican Olympian.
“Thank you for all the support I have received and all of the generosity. It really means a lot.”
You can donate to Kemoy’s cause at www.gofundme/f/67e5h-kemoy-campbell-support-fund
