Bequia mother seeks public’s help for son’s diagnosis

For the last seven years, Bequia resident, Cassion Hanson, has battled with a blood-related illness which his mother hopes can soon be diagnosed and properly treated.

The 14-year-old student of the Bequia Community High School has suffered major physical and academic setbacks over the years, including frequent illnesses and inability to gain weight.

Around age seven, Cassion was initially diagnosed with chronic anaemia, a condition which lowers the iron-levels in his blood to dangerously low levels.

His mother, Amecia Hanson told SEARCHLIGHT, that Cassion is currently on infusion treatment- a temporary measure to keep his iron levels at an adequate level.

“He is on infusions right now to help keep his blood up. The infusions right now are temporary until they can actually figure out what is really wrong.”

He was treated at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, but Hanson said that doctors were unable to provide a definitive diagnosis.

In order to properly diagnose Cassion, doctors in Miami have suggested that the teen undergo an endoscopy and a colonoscopy.

“… They are thinking that the issue has to be inwards, but they won’t know for sure unless he does these two tests.”

Hanson has utilized a GoFundMe account with a US$4,500 target for the tests. She hopes that doctors will be able to finally say for sure what Cassion is battling and develop a treatment plan that will allow him to thrive.

“He was diagnosed with anaemia when he was seven, so he was battling with it for a while. This is our second trip, but every time he has to go, it is a bit challenging because it requires raising funds… they are saying that besides the chronic anaemia, there has to be something else wrong because he is underweight and under height for his age.”

My hope is that when we go this time, we can actually figure out what’s wrong so at least it will give me peace of mind so I can know what we are dealing with and what to look forward to.”

For the first trip, she said financial assistance came from fund-raising and contributions from the Northern Grenadines Initiative, Bequia Venture and Member of Parliament for The Northern Grenadines, Dr Godwin Friday.

She hopes that the generosity of the public will continue to get her son the help that he needs.

Link to GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/cassions-medical-bills