Thirteen-year-old girl with leukaemia seeking help to access treatment overseas

LIFE CHANGED for 13-year-old Keniah Matthews and her family in March when she was diagnosed with leukaemia.

And her mother, Patrese Matthews is appealing to the public for assistance so that her first daughter can receive potentially lifesaving treatment abroad.

Matthews explained that her daughter requires a blood transfusion on a weekly basis and the family is now faced with raising over US$101,900 or BD$201,800 for chemotherapy treatment in Barbados.

“March 15, she had an issue where her period was flowing more than normal and then because her blood was so low, we had to rush her — because she blacked out — we had to rush her up to the Union Island hospital,” Keniah’s mother told SEARCHLIGHT.

Keniah, who had just began her secondary school journey at the Union Island Secondary School, travelled to the mainland with her mother a day later and was admitted to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, where she has remained.

“[I feel] depressed, sad, all how,” she said, as she described her daughter as a friendly, loving and helpful teenager who loved to smile.

Matthews also said she is not aware of anyone in her family having a history with this kind of illness.

She added that Keniah never showed any signs or symptoms prior to being diagnosed.

“…Normally they say with these cases, they normally have signs; plenty aching in the bones and things like that. It’s since she’s been at the hospital that we’ve started seeing the signs they’re talking about,” the mother said, adding that she was hopeful that the suggested treatment of chemotherapy will be successful in curing her daughter.

“Me trust God…and I have faith in him that he will bring us through this. I figure this is just a battle, a test for us because I don’t know how else to put it. I would’ve never seen this coming but I trust God and I have faith in him that he will bring me through this, either way — whether I have to do it here or by travelling — I trust him… let his will be done,” the Union Island resident said.

Matthews is appealing to the public to assist her daughter, whether through financial contributions or blood donations.

“…Whatever they can help me with, I am very much grateful. I know it’s COVID season still and it’s hard on everybody but whatever anybody could do, I will be very much grateful,” she said.

Persons wishing to assist Keniah can contact her mother, Patrese Matthews at 1784-533-5085 or 1784-495-8623.

Monetary donations can also be made at the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines to account number; 6105668.