Outpouring of support for Haleema

Haleema is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant to save her life.

She has been diagnosed with beta thalassaemia, a major blood disorder that reduces the production of iron, since she was 18 months old and requires blood transfusions every three weeks. The Fortis Medical Research Institute in India has offered to do the operation at a cost of TT$400,000 but the family is unable to raise the money.

The child’s father is a construction worker and her mother, Kristal, is a housewife. When contacted yesterday, Kristal said she had a busy morning answering her phone as people were calling to offer financial assistance as well as prayers for the family. She said people even called from abroad to pray with her and give her words of comfort. In addition, she said a medical company even agreed for the family to have certain tests done at a reduced price.

The family is awaiting a response from the Children’s Life Fund on whether Haleema’s case would be selected for assistance. According to National Health services in the United Kingdom, a bone marrow transplant replaces damaged blood cells with healthy ones. It could be used to treat conditions affecting the blood cells, such as leukaemia and lymphoma. Anyone wishing to assist the Mohammed family can make contributions to the First Citizens Bank, Penal, #2430155 and Haleema’s parents can be contacted at 331-4672 or 270-0707.