THE PARENTS of nine-month-old Rory Cunningham are seeking the public's support in raising funds for life-saving surgery for their child.
Rory was diagnosed by doctors at the University Hospital of the West Indies with cyanotic congenital heart disease shortly after his birth on June 16, 2003.
Family paediatrician Dr. Anna-Marie Woodham said Rory urgently needs to do cardiac catherisation so doctors can determine the stage of the disease and choose the appropriate surgical procedure. Both the surgery and the procedure can only be done abroad.
"I understand that it can only be done overseas," Dr. Woodham said.
During the examination, she said there were indications that something was wrong. The procedure is expected to cost US$75,000 ($4.5 million).
The family contacted the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center through a family friend and physicians there have raised US$48,000 for the surgery and has agreed to do the procedure.
Family members have tried to raise the remaining US$27-28,000. However, they have only managed to raise approximately half the sum. Lamoya Brown, Rory's mother, said she is hoping for a swift response.
"The sooner the better," she said, noting that the baby's condition could worsen at any moment.
An account has been established at the Bank of Nova Scotia, St. Ann's Bay branch, to which contributions can be made. The account number is 903197.
