Plea for help as 12-y-o needs bone marrow transplant

A psychiatric nursing aide at Black River Hospital is seeking the public’s help to save the life of her only child, who has been diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

Akeela Steele, a 12-year-old student at St Elizabeth Technical High School, was first diagnosed with the disease in 2018 and completed chemotherapy at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in August. But now, she has been admitted to Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) and must undergo a bone marrow transplant to save her life.

“She began complaining of pain to the side,” Denetra Tucker-Steele, Akeela’s mom, told The Gleaner.

“I realised that she was a bit drowsy and had lost her appetite, so I chose to take her to the hospital for a random check to see what was happening.”

Following a medical examination and consultation at the Black River Hospital, it was confirmed that she had suffered a relapse, and she was transferred to CRH.

While shaken by the impact of the life-threatening disease on her child, Tucker-Steele, 34, has strengthened her faith and is prayerfully optimistic that Akeela will overcome the challenge and maximise her full potential. But the cost of caring for her child during chemotherapy has put a strain on her finances, forcing her to appeal for assistance.

“The doctors have advised that it will cost between US$1,000 and US$1,500, but I cannot afford that, and her father is experiencing health challenges, so he cannot do anything,” she said.

“... They (the doctors) say that if she does chemo again, the problem will reoccur at the end of treatment, so that is the reason she needs to do the bone marrow transplant.”

The concerned mother is now awaiting a response from two hospitals in the United States for the final cost for the procedure.

Anyone who is willing to help Akeela fight leukaemia may contact her mother, Denetra Tucker-Steele, at 876-453-1498 or donate to Sagicor Black River account #5503088152.