Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
Family seeks help for girl, 7, with brain tumour
During the last week of school before the Easter holiday, most children are abuzz with excitement for what the two weeks of reprieve will hold. There will be kite flying, late nights up and even later mornings sleeping in.
Colleacia Harcourt
However, for seven-year-old Colleacia Harcourt, of Lichfield, West Coast Berbice, the plans were much different.
For the young girl, the Easter break was not filled with kite flying but rather numerous visits to hospitals. She did not wake up each morning just in time to catch cartoons. Instead, she would be awake for hours before with excruciating headaches, her parents forced to watch helplessly as the little girl writhed in pain.
For Colleacia and her family, her being diagnosed with a brain tumour turned her bright future into an unsure one.
The girl’s father, Travis Harcourt, said that the constant headaches were the first indicators that something was amiss.
He said during his daughter’s last week of school before the Easter break, a teacher had called him to say that the young girl, who was the second of four children, was experiencing severe pains. Colleacia was taken to a hospital where the doctors said that nothing was wrong with her.
However, the headaches persisted and her worried parents took her to have a brain MRI. There, the discovery of a large mass growing in the young girl’s brain was made.
Colleacia was forced to stay in the hospital for several days before her case was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Through the hospital, Travis said they were able to receive a quotation of US$35,000 for his daughter’s overseas treatment.
The estimated cost includes not only hospital fees, but anesthesia fees, supplies and medications required for the surgery, hospitalization, seven days in the intensive care unit and seven days in a regular room. The estimate does not include possible complications, additional procedure, special supplies or additional days of hospitalization.
The father added that the family needed additional funds for airfare and accommodation.
He added that though they were able to secure $2M through the Ministry of Health for the girl’s treatment, much more is needed.
Records seen by this newspaper indicate that Colleacia’s case was an urgent one. Her father added that the tumour was far along and required emergency surgery.
Meanwhile, Colleacia is struggling each day with her condition. Her father said that she has not returned to school and is unable to walk on her own.
He said, too, that she had been experiencing a lot of intermittent pains along with other difficulties.
“It’s not something easy to have to be watching someone you love so much deteriorate right before your eyes,” the distraught father said.
Persons interested in making donations to Colleacia’s overseas treatment, can do so through Republic Bank account 730-269-1. The girl’s father can also be contacted on 699-1005 and 622-4080.
Additionally, JIPA Network, which is responsible for the girl’s treatment, has provided a bank account in the USA where funds can be sent to support Colleacia.
The wire transfer information is as follows:
Bank of America
JIPA Network LLC
ABA: 026009593
Account number: 229038312826
Swift#: BOFAUS3N
Tax ID: 80-0539060
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