Mother wants medical assistance for Teenager
The mother of 15-year-old Elecia Wickham, Matilda Wickham, is seeking the assistance of the Vincentian public as she seeks medical attention abroad for her daughter.
The Layou resident, who is also a student of Bishops College Kingstown, is suffering from renal (kidney) failure and lupus. She has been receiving treatment for a series of ailments at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital since the age of three. She currently receives peritoneal dialysis for her kidney problems.{{more}}
Elecia’s medical condition was compounded when she was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematousus in January of 2005. (Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s antibodies attack one’s own tissues. Lupus attacks tissues such as the skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments as well as the kidneys, heart, lungs and brain).
Elecia hopes to travel to St. Croix in July this year to have a kidney transplant and will be under the care of Dr. Ramesh Lakhram. She currently has two prospective donors, one of whom she hopes would be a match. Her mother, Matilda, is appealing to others who may be willing to donate a kidney to contact her at 456-7464 or 532-4378. She says the doctors in Barbados have estimated that the transplant will cost US$35,000 – US $40,000. The mother of two daughters is appealing strongly to the public to assist her younger daughter financially.
Elecia’s medical condition is affecting her normal life as she has attended school just one day since the start of 2006. She is also unable to socialize regularly with her peers as she is often in pain.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation to Elecia can do so at the National Commercial Bank – Account # 126602 or at the General Employees Co-operative Credit Union Account #945202.
Comments
