Needs surgery to go on living

By Byron McDaniel, Freelance Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

MARLENE TAYLOR smiled constantly throughout the interview. Her cheerful demeanour belied doctors diagnosis that to live she would soon need heart surgery, an operation she cannot afford.

The petite 30-year-old former sales clerk and secretary said that she was aware that she had been experiencing cardiac malfunction at age 13, then as a student of Pike All-Age School in Manchester. She was able, however, to function normally and do domestic chores.

Her condition got progressively worse over the years. As a student of the Manchester Academy of Science and Technology, Marlene sometimes had to get assistance to carry her books.

On graduation she worked as a sales clerk and later a secretary, although she sometimes suffered from weak spells and breathlessness. In March 2000, Marlene suffered a stroke and was hospitalised twice.

Now unable to work, her doctors say she needs to replace two heart valves. But finding the money to do the surgery is an added burden on Marlene and her family. Her mother and father with whom she resides, can barely afford her usual medication now.

A lay Christian, Marlene attends the Emmanuel Apostolic Church near her home at Coleyville district in Manchester. She tells The Gleaner that it is faith and prayer that keep her going.

At this point, her effervescent smile wavers and the tears flow down her cheeks.

To save Marlene's life a public appeal has been launched to raise $300,000 for her operation. Cheques should be made payable to the Jamaica Foundation for Cardiac Disease and sent to the Jamaica Foundation for Cardiac Disease Management House, Unit 20, 2 Seymour Avenue, Kingston 6.

Contributions may also be made at any branch of the Victoria Mutual Building Society, account number 21885470, or to the Christiana People's Co-operative Bank, account number 11-11096.

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