12-year-old cancer patient dies before funds could be raised for overseas surgery

Twelve-year-old Marlon Jupiter, who had been battling an aggressive form of blood cancer for more than a year, died before his family was able to secure the funds needed for a life-saving bone marrow transplant overseas.

His sister, Lashana Jupiter, confirmed his passing in a Facebook post, writing, “With a heavy heart I must say my brother passed away.”

Marlon had been diagnosed with T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in 2023 after he was rushed to the hospital with a high fever and low blood count.  According to Lashana, further tests, including a CT scan and biopsy, later confirmed the cancer diagnosis after lymph nodes appeared on his hands and neck.

Since then, the young boy endured repeated hospital visits and intensive treatment as his family searched for options to save his life. Doctors had advised that his best chance of survival was an urgent bone marrow transplant, a procedure that is not currently available in Guyana.

With no local treatment option, the family began making arrangements for Marlon to travel overseas. After being declined by two countries, doctors in Brazil eventually accepted his case.

However, about US$35,000 (about $7.3 million Guyana dollars) was needed to cover the cost of the procedure and related expenses. The family launched a public appeal for financial assistance to cover the expenses associated with the surgery, travel, accommodation, and post-treatment care. Non-profit organisation SHEA had also stepped in to support the family’s fundraising efforts, but the full amount was not secured in time.

Throughout his illness, Marlon’s education was also disrupted. He missed large portions of school during Grades Five and Six due to hospitalisation. Despite the setbacks, he persevered with the support of relatives who helped homeschool him, and he went on to secure 469 marks at the National Grade Six Assessment, placing third in his school.

Relatives have described him as a determined and resilient child who remained hopeful even as his condition worsened.