GIZO: An online appeal to financially support thirteen -year old Rosemary Leah Kelesiwasi who is being diagnosed with brain tumor has been finally set up late last week.
Ms Kelesiwasi from ‘Suava’ in Lau and ‘Gwaidadai’ in Kwara’ae, Malaita Province is currently sick with the disease.
Her family is racing against time as they are desperate to secure financial support to get her overseas for medical attention treatment.
The target is to secure AUD$200k and Lorina Von Stanke is organising this fundraiser.
Lorina said, “I have set up this gofundme page for our little Rosemary Leah Kelesiwasi who needs medical treatment ASAP in Australia to save her life.”
Some donations have been made so far.
Last week on Monday- 23 January 2023, her parents received the terrible news.
The result came after undergoing two CT scans at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara.
Her condition worsened despite taking medications from various clinical treatments.
Her condition is caused by a tumour that had grown in her brain, doctors revealed.
She was a young bright student who did her primary education at Bejayme Christian Academy School located in Papaho, Central Honiara.
However, the disease had cut back on her quest for education.
When the disease hit, she was in grade 6 awaiting results for form 1 placement. And then Covid-19 hit.
There was a plan to transfer her to Coronation School in Chinatown to continue her secondary education but she was sick.
She had been experiencing severe headaches and difficulty to walk since April 2022.
The family was told last week that nothing can be done to help her given the limited facilities at National Referral Hospital (NRH).
Their hope to travel overseas where advanced treatment is available now lies in the hands of ‘Good Samaritan’ who are willing to provide financial support.
And this cost is not that easy for her parent who are self-employed.
They live in Kaibia, Central Honiara.
And time is not on their side, a member of the family told the paper earlier.
Her condition has been deteriorating quickly by the days which now affects her ability to see properly.
“We have no option but to try and send her overseas for further treatment,” the parent pleaded.
They are now appealing for any form of support they can get.
“Rosemary has a bright future ahead,” a family statement reads, determined to find secure last minute help for the young girl.
“We appeal to the public, donors, or anyone who can help us, or help direct us to where we can get the support that Rosemary needs.”
With the only girl in the family with only two brothers, members of the family are trying their best to secure support.
To help via online visit this ‘GoFundme page’, which is – https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-our-rosemarys-fight-with-brain-cancer?
For further information and support you can contact: 7573233 / 7821994 or 7500780.
By MOFFAT MAMU
