I Cancervive to raise funds today

With mounting medical expenses coupled with deteriorating health conditions, relatives and friends of cancer patient Carlene Joseph-Crawford will host a fund-raising event titled I Cancervive today.

Several artistes will entertain at the event which takes place at Mellow Moods at Bourg Mulatresse, Santa Cruz, from 11 pm to 4 am. Tickets cost $60.

Joseph-Crawford, 43, sister of local artiste Keturah Gamba, is a stage four cervical cancer patient but despite her deteriorating health she remains determined to win this fight against cancer.

According to one of the organisers, Dane “Mr Kronic” Layne, Joseph-Crawford’s determination is based on the fact that she has to care for her son and a teenage daughter.

“Carlene is at the stage where her organs are being affected and traces of cancer can be found in her lymph nodes. Her kidneys and parts of her lower intestines have been affected a while but now she is having major problems as her lungs are now contaminated thus affecting her breathing,” Layne explained.

Layne is one of several entertainers scheduled to perform at the event. Other acts include Ziggy Rankin, Lady Lava, the TYT crew from Boom Champions and Kerry John, among others.

Layne said Joseph-Crawford who is from San Juan, urgently needs to purchase a nebulizer machine and a home oxygen system. However, she does not have the financial means to do so on her own.

“In addition to this, she is in heavy debt due to past medical expenses.

All monies paid at the gate will be given to Carlene to aid in medical expenses. Any support given to this event will be highly appreciated,” Layne said.

Gamba who via her Facebook page is promoting the event says her her sister is not able to breathe for more than a few hours on her own without an oxygen system.

On one of her many posts, she wrote: “The intentions of my family is to raise the required money to purchase a home oxygen system, nebulizer system and to repay some medical debts owing for the past months.”

In another she stated: “I am also singing and my face is not on the artwork...It is a fund-raiser not an event for show!!!

To all my fellow artistes who are still passing through even though your faces are not on the artwork....THANK YOU!”

Anyone who wants to assist can deposit funds to Joseph-Crawford’s Scotia Bank account number 42135004009709.