Daughter’s diagnosis big blow

The family of Noi Jemmott is facing a financial nightmare after a diagnosis of acute leukaemia and a treatment path which entailed her being transported by air ambulance yesterday to Colombia.

The 17-year-old building and civil engineering student of the Barbados Community College had complained of a slight headache and the family got the shocking results on Friday.

Noi, and her mother Cathy-Ann Allman, left the island yesterday and other members of the family are trying to raise funds.

They have launched a GoFundMe, with a target of US$400 000. The first month of treatment is estimated to cost about US$135 000. The air ambulance, required because Noi could not safely travel via commercial airline, has already set them back $42 000. The medical insurance covered the other $15 000.

“What I figured was a routine doctor check turned out to be leukaemia,” her father Janson Jemmott told the Sunday Sun.

“She was complaining for slight headaches and feeling a little tired. I thought it was dengue. She went out with a friend and the [other] girl was home complaining for headaches. I took her to the doctor expecting to hear a dengue diagnosis . . . .”

He added that the most recent tests showed a high white blood cell count and low platelets.

Noi’s physician recommended treatment in Colombia, and the family also did some research, recognising it would be cheaper than going up north.

“This feels like a nightmare. She is such a sweet little girl. Most parents would say that about their child, but honestly, she is a little sweetheart. The support coming in has been overwhelming – and you would want that ’cause she is just a sweet little soul,” Janson said.

The diagnosis has rattled the family circle but he said Cathy-Ann was trying to be strong.

“It has been hard on both of us. This was a shock. She is a very strong woman.

“She has her moments where the reality sinks in and she might cry, but she tries not to do it in front of my daughter because she wants to make her feel comfortable and confident. She does not want her to be fearful of what is coming next.”

Donations

Janson has, however, kept the news away from his 96-year-old mother.

The family is still trying to get assistance from Government, but he said that in the meantime, members of the public could give what they can and no amount was too small.

Donations can be made online via GoFundMe at https:// www.gofundme.com/f/ help-noi-jemmottfly- to-colombia-forlifesaving- treatment, FCIB Account No. 1001282704 or First Pay cathyallman@gmail. com.

“We are still way out from where we need to be. The actual treatment could run anywhere from six months to a year, so it is definitely going to be very expensive,” Janson said.

“I have to keep fighting. She is my only child and I believe this little girl needs an opportunity to make her mark.” (SAT)

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