Three-year-old cancer patient Chayanne Parboo of St Monica in the Upper Pomeroon leaves Guyana Monday night for treatment in the United States.
The little girl was in dire need of platelets to conduct a bone marrow test; after sufficient donations from the public, she was subsequently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – a form of cancer in the blood cells.
Chayanne will be travelling with her parents to the US where she will undergo a number of evaluation and tests to determine her treatment plan.
Since her diagnosis she has been on antibiotics only, to prevent any infections.
Her father, Omesh Parboo, said at a presentation at the Giftland Mall on Monday that his only daughter is walking, talking and eating now.
“She looks fine but you cannot see what’s inside of her, because she hasn’t gotten any treatment for leukaemia as yet,” Mr Parboo said.
He expressed gratitude to everyone who has supported his family since his daughter’s illness.
A non-profit organisation – Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) – has taken up Chayanne’s case and is helping to raise US$20,000 to offset treatment costs, however, the direct amount is not yet known.
“We are not sure of the costs; the doctor still [has] to evaluate her and the situation we are only leaving tonight, when she reach there they will do their tests,” Mr Parboo said.
Chayanne will be treated at a top-rated hospital in the US, according to a representative from SHEA, Sita Sugrim.
Sugrim highlighted that the treatment for Chayanne’s type of cancer can go for about three years. She said 80% of the US$20,000 has been raised already.
“She’ll be having treatment in the US, we won’t be able to disclose the name of the hospital because of our confidentiality agreement with them but what I can tell you it is a top-rated hospital that has treated patients where other doctors had said there is no chance for them,” Sugrim said.
The Giftland Mall on Monday joined the list of donors and donated US$2,500 to the Parboo family.
Persons can still donate to continue to help Chayanne. Anyone willing to donate can contact 677-5280 or 679-1784.
