Save Shannen’s life

Shannen needs a Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplant which can only be done at the Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital in Rome. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has until 4 pm next Monday to respond to Luke’s application for funding from the Children’s Life Fund, Ramdeen said.

In an immediate response, Minister Deyalsingh said any child with medical issues would be a source of concern for his Ministry and government’s policy on the Children’s Life Fund is consistent with that of the previous government.

“We are deeply concerned about the child and all applications to the Life Fund will be dealt with urgency and fairness in accordance with the exiting legal frame work. As Minister of Health I do not make recommendations.

There is a separate entity that evaluates all information and make a recommendation.

I want to reiterate, all applications, every single one without exception are dealt with urgency,” Deyalsingh said.

Yesterday, Michelle Luke told Newsday she recently received a $50,000 donation from the Massy Foundation for which she is extremely grateful.

Ramdeen has written to Minister Deyalsingh informing him of the Monday deadline. The letter was copied to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Attorney General.

The family has mortgaged its home and held a variety of fund-raising ventures including barbecues, a calypso show and a boat cruise. Donations have also come from private citizens and the Rotary Club. Ramdeen said the Health Minister indicated in Parliament that there is $55 million in the Life Fund.

“I wrote the Minister and gave him until Monday at 4 pm to process the application and give a positive response to these parents because they have not sat and done nothing...

they have done everything, they have mortgaged their house, taken a personal loan, they have gone to everyone they can go to in order to save their child’s life,” Ramdeen said, adding the child’s life will be saved, whether voluntarily by the Minster of Health or by a Court Order.