WHAT if your child was seriously ill and you could not afford the cost of their treatment? Caribbean Aid, based in the UK, works on behalf of seriously ill Caribbean children, seeking to bridge the gap between children in need and the specialist.
Sending patients for treatment overseas is an expensive undertaking, and for many parents and families often emotionally paralysed by overwhelming grief the huge cost of treatment overseas just adds to the feelings of hopelessness, uncertainty and despair.
The organisation’s aims were highlighted by its Director Don Brown on The Dolor Factor on the award-winning Colourful Radio. Host, Delia Dolor pledged support by presenting fund raising events in the UK and alerting the Caribbean that financial help is available for those with medical needs.
By raising and maintaining a readily available pool of funds and running events and appeals in the UK at the time of need, Caribbean Aid will assist in the provision of access to overseas specialist medical treatment and in doing so we will evoke awareness, reduce delay, reduce the emotional impact and bring hope to situations of hopelessness, uncertainty and despair.
Caribbean Aid is currently raising funds to help four-year old Ariella who lives in Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She suffers with a condition called Steroid Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome, a condition that causes the kidneys to leak large amounts of protein into the urine.
Ariella’s consultant Dr Twanna Browne-Caesar, Consultant Nephrologist at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, advised Caribbean Aid that ‘Ariella is in desperate need of ultrasound guided kidney biopsy and further therapy that is not available in her home country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this time.’
‘However, treatment is available on the island of Trinidad, at The Surgi-Med Clinic, Penitence Street, San Fernando at cost.
Unfortunately little Ariella’s current situation is ‘no money, no treatment.’ She needs £2470.00.
Mr Cenio E. Lewis – High Commissioner for St. Vincent and the Grenadines in response to Caribbean Aid efforts on behalf of Ariella, stated the following, “Thanks for the information and especially for the good work you are doing.”
If parents would like financial support to help their child needing medical attention, visit ww.caribbeanaid.org.uk. Caribbean Aid welcomes contributions to Ariella’s Appeal.