Artistes on board to save student's life

The community of Pamphret, St Thomas, and Morant Bay High School are today thanking the entertainment fraternity for the outpouring of support they have received in their efforts to help save the life of Akalia Moore, a student at the institution.

Almost a week after the STAR published an article asking for the support of some of Jamaica's top entertainers, many answered the call and have offered to lend their talents to support the school's upcoming charity concert.

Popcaan, Chi Ching Ching, Delus, Taurus Riley, Alaine, Omari, Devin Di Dakta, Vershon and Raytid are among the artistes who have pledge their support for the initiative.

Coordinator of the event and teacher at the institution, Orrette McDowell, said he was pleased with the support received so far.

extremely grateful

"I am overwhelmed, happy and extremely grateful to all the artistes who have come out to support this cause," he said.

"Since the article came out we have received a lot of calls from entertainers who want to be a part of the event, and it has turned around the entire initiative and put it on a much larger scale."

He said Akalia is overjoyed and in good spirits ahead of Friday's event.

"She is extremely happy and grateful. She has since met some of the artistes, and it means so much to her," he said.

Moore was recently diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a medical condition that occurs when a tangle of blood vessels in the brain or on its surface bypasses normal brain tissue, resulting in an abnormal connection that interferes with the body's ability to properly circulate blood.

She is in need of more than $2.5M for surgical treatment but has only received $400,000 so far. McDowell is hoping funds gathered from the concert will go a far way in meeting Moore's surgical expenses.

Along with the entertainers from the industry, students from the institution and community members will also perform. The concert will be held on the schools grounds from 2 to 7 p.m. Admission will be $500 for adults and $300 for students. Refreshments will also be on sale.

McDowell encouraged persons to come out and support the concert.

"Please make an effort to be there," he pleaded. "It is for a worthy cause, and if it had been any other student we would be doing this just the same because we are talking about saving a life."