From Caribbean News Now

LONDON, England — Ariella Alexander from St Vincent and the Grenadines suffers with a condition known as steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome, which causes the kidneys to leak large amounts of protein into the urine.

Ariella, who is one half of a set of twins, was in desperate need of an ultrasound guided renal biopsy and possible immunosuppressive therapy. Her condition means that the four-year-old suffers from swelling, infections, urine discharges and sometimes blood clots.

Caribbean Aid, an organisation based in the United Kingdom was informed of the plight of little Ariella by their advocate in St Vincent, Janelle Cox Douglas, chief executive officer at Taraji Foundation.

Ariella’s consultant Dr Twanna Browne-Caesar, consultant nephrologist at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, St Vincent, advised Caribbean Aid that “Ariella is in desperate need of ultrasound guided kidney biopsy that is not available in her home country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this time.

However, treatment is available on the island of Trinidad, at The Surgi-Med Clinic, Penitence Street, San Fernando, at cost.”

Unfortunately, with little Ariella’s parents unable to meet the cost of the biopsy; the situation was ‘no money, no treatment’.

Don Brown, managing director of Caribbean Aid CiC, who has been campaigning on behalf of the Alexander family, said, “Caribbean Aid seeks to bridge the gap between Caribbean children in need and the specialist.

“Thanks to our supporters and donors, Caribbean Aid managed to raise the full amount needed for little Ariella’s medical bill in Trinidad and Tobago within two months, how wonderful is that!

“I am pleased to say that Ariella received the ultrasound guided kidney biopsy procedure on Monday 5th September, and payment was made by Caribbean Aid to the Surgi-Med Clinic on 7th September 2016.”

By raising and maintaining a readily available pool of funds and running appeals and events in the United Kingdom at the time of need, Caribbean Aid provides practical and financial support to children permanently residing within the Caribbean in need of specialist medical treatment overseas, and in doing so we evoke awareness, reduce delay, reduce the emotional impact and bring hope to situations of hopelessness, uncertainty and despair.

To learn more about Caribbean Aid, apply for assistance or to make a donation and help continue the good work, go to: www.caribbeanaid.org.uk

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-UK-based-organisation-pays-medical-bill-for-St-Vincent-toddler-31694.html

IMAGE: Caribbean Aid