GoFundMe set up to help Venezuelan cancer patient,14

RELATIVES of 14-year-old Venezuelan cancer patient George Riad Haidar Maican have set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to pay his medical expenses.

George’s uncle Ziad Haidar who lives in Canada set up the page on Sunday. The goal is to raise CAN$100,000 but as of Tuesday afternoon, CAN$6,165 was raised.

A few days ago, Newsday highlighted that recently, doctors at San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) diagnosed George with nodular sclerosis, a type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This blood cell disorder can go into remission with the correct treatment, researchers found.

Doctors later referred him to the Mt Hope hospital for additional treatment. But as he is an immigrant, the Mt Hope staff said they could not take him unless the chief medical officer or the Health Minister authorised them. The fund-raiser page said George’s condition is very serious.

“In TT, if you are not a national, you will not be treated in public hospitals. Primary health care is only provided to non-nationals. George is our son, our 14-year-old teenager who loves animals,” the page said. “George is like any other 14-year-old Trinidadian, who likes animals, studies, has learned to speak English, loves the beach and loves soccer.”

On Saturday, during the Prime Minister’s media conference, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said, based on a Cabinet note in June 2019 non-nationals have free access to certain care levels. These include accident and emergency and maternity services. But any other type of service, Deyalsingh said, the ministry cannot do for free.

Speaking to Newsday by phone on Tuesday, George’s aunt Lismar Valasquez, 34, said doctors at SFGH have been taking care of George tremendously.

“He is still hospitalised. Doctors are doing their best. He is in a lot of pain and needs additional treatment, which they do not have. We are trying to see what we can do to help him,” Valasquez said. “Hopefully, we can raise the money and pay for proper treatment.”

Anyone who wants to donate can do so via the page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/26ca3wpw80?utm_source=whatsapp-visit&utm_medium=chat&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet.