Help on the way for young Jovannah

Sherian Henry, mother of eight-year-old Jovannah Thomas, who is bedridden due to hip damage caused by sickle cell, believes her daughter is on the path to getting her normal life back.

Henry has managed to raise $250,000 of the $330,000 for the hip brace Jovannah needs, all within a week of their story being published in this publication.

"I know that my daughter will be all right again as soon as she get the brace and trust me, it have me in tears because I still couldn't believe good people were so interested to help," Henry told THE STAR. Over a two-day span, donors contributed over $61,000 to Jovannah's cause, Henry said.

"The day when the story published my phone was ringing non-stop. The first lady called gave her $5,000 and calls just kept coming. Some are still reaching out even now," she said.

Jovannah has been bedridden for almost a month, after the sickle cell disease she was diagnosed with when she was eight months old, took a toll on her body. The disease led to her having low blood circulation, which left her hospitalised for a while.

Henry was worried that her daughter's chance of being a gleeful, active child was at risk. However, Jovannah will be heading to REHAB Plus in St Andrew to have her hip braces fitted in the near future.

"Before I reached out to THE STAR for help, I was nowhere in securing the money. Right now, I feel very great and I want to thank everybody who saw my need and decided to donate," Henry said. Being a single mother of four and already struggling to make ends meet, she said that she could not have done it alone.

"It's just many thanks and love and Jovannah understands that she is getting the help, so she is happy now," Henry said.

Those who wish to assist little Jovannah Thomas may contact her mother, Sherian Henry, at (876) 513-2607.