Telethon goes to the aid of 12-year-old

Dec 10, 2008 News

A second surgery has become necessary to remove a recurring tumour aback the right eye of 12-year-old Tionne Jones of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. On Monday, in a quest to solicit needed funds, family members turned to HBTV Channel 9 for public help, and raised a further $200,000 to take them closer to securing the additional US$8,500.

From left are Adam Harris, Tionne Jones and Karen Trapp

The telethon was hosted by Kaieteur News’s Editor-in-Chief, Adam Harris.
Both Tionne and her aunt, Karen Trapp, were on air with Harris soliciting funds from members of the public.
According to Trapp, the cost of the repeat surgery, which will be conducted at a hospital in Trinidad, is estimated to cost TT$106,000, which is equivalent to US$17,500.
So far, the family has been able to secure US$9,000 and two airfares, courtesy of the People’s National Congress, but a further US$8,500 is required to meet the cost of the operation.
However, Trapp, who is expected to accompany Tionne to Trinidad, said that there would still be need for money to cater for accommodation and for any unexpected complications that may arise after the operation.
She disclosed that it has already been hinted by the doctor who will perform the repeat operation that this time around it could be complex.
The Ministry of Health and Ms Ameena Gafoor have contributed US$5,000 andUS$4,000 respectively, and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has donated the two tickets for the trip to Trinidad.
Tionne was born a normal child. Three years ago, it was observed that her right eye was beginning to bulge.
But it was only after a visit to local eye doctor Daniel Quaicoe that a tumour was diagnosed growing aback of the child’s eye.
The doctor, however, informed Trapp, with whom the child resides, that the tumour could not be removed in Guyana.
With the diagnosis and a letter from the doctor, Trapp said, she commenced soliciting funds in 2007 to have the tumour removed. The Ministry of Health, the PNCR, the Central Islamic Organisation, the Region Three Educational Department, and several members of the community contributed to the US$15,000 required for that operation.
That operation was completed last year September with much success, and Tionne was able to return to a normal life, even back to attending classes at the Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School. But she had missed all of the first term.
However, it was just in August this year, when a review was conducted on the child’s eye, that it was observed that the tumour had returned, necessitating the repeat surgery.
Persons desirous of rendering financial assistance towards the surgical removal of the tumour in Tionne’s eye can deposit cash in Scotia Bank account number 171139, or contact her aunt, Karen Trapp, on telephone numbers: 254-0594 or 649-1120.