Ailing police constable still needs liver transplant

In the seven months since Donique Anderson made her battle with liver failure public, the police constable's woes have only persisted.

Last November, THE STAR published the harrowing story of Constable Anderson, who was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, a disease that causes liver failure. The 26-year-old fought through her illness to finish her training to join the police force, but last August, her health deteriorated.

She said at the time, "My abdomen and feet got swollen. I began experiencing excruciating pain in my abdomen, and was therefore hospitalised briefly. I am now being told my only chance of surviving is a liver transplant, as my liver can fail at any time."

Anderson set up a GoFundMe account to raise the US$1 million (approximately J$154 million) to pay for the surgery. Now seven months later, Anderson has only raised US$12,000 (approximately J$1.8 million) towards her procedure.

"From that time I've still been feeling essentially the same way. Majority of the months that pass, I am in and out of the hospital same way. It still affects my job 'cause I've been unable to go to work, but they understand and they know my problem. But I still have the sickness. I'm just going to have to live with this sickness until I get the surgery. It's not going to go away," she said.

Anderson's mother Gem Donald, who is her primary caregiver, said that though she is hopeful that her daughter will get better one day, it is hard to see her in constant pain.

"She always has a little pain and discomfort. It's a bit hard to deal with sometimes but since I'm always around her, I know how to handle the situation and I'm just trying my best to cope. Sometimes when the pain is severe, it gets scary but I try my best to cope because I know and I believe that she is going to be okay," she said.

She continued, "It's not easy sometimes, I tell the truth. But she's my last child. It's five of them but she's the one that gets most of my attention because of her illness. It's not easy but I'm just trying my best to cope."

Those wishing to assist may contact Donique Anderson at 876-775-8988; WhatsApp 876-275-7533; her mother, Gem Donald, 876-898-9395, or donate to the GoFundMe link at: https://gofund.me/067ed304