4-y-o needs bone marrow transplant

Kenecia Wisdom is just four years old, but her tiny frame has to endure the harsh and rigorous treatment of chemotherapy.

Up until March, Kenecia's mother Kwician Baldin said her daughter appeared normal, until she developed a rash which turned out to be one of the symptoms of the dreaded leukaemia.

"The rash was even in her head, so I took her to the doctor and got medication. The rash cleared up weeks later but she had a constant cold that did not go away. She also had a constant fever and the medication just wouldn't work. Next thing I know, her tummy started rising so I took her to a different doctor who said he needed her to do an ultrasound," Baldin said.

That doctor's visit was followed by trip to the Annotto Bay Hospital where Keneica was admitted for dehydration. A series of tests revealed that the youngster had an enlarged liver and spleen.

"Mi nearly drop down when mi hear the news and fi almost a week, mi never eat. It was really devastating for me, especially when they told me that she needed to go to Bustamante Hospital for Children as they were suspecting that she had blood cancer, which is leukaemia. It was just dreadful. At Children's, they did a bone marrow biopsy and that result came back that she have cancer," Baldin said.

She said that her pregnancy was smooth sailing and she delivered her daughter via C-section in 2019. Baldin stressed that Kenecia was playful and energetic, and was excelling academically at Gospel Chapel Basic School in Port Maria, before her health issues came to light.

"She is still very playful and vibrant [even though] she is on chemotherapy. She is doing her second session of chemo but the doctors are saying that it is not working. They were expecting that with chemo, the cancer cells would decrease below zero. But her [level] is at seven which is high. They are saying that if the cells remain high, in the next two months then my baby will have to get a bone marrow transplant," she said.

In that procedure, healthy, blood-forming stem cells are infused into the body to replace bone marrow that's not producing enough healthy blood cells. Baldin said doctors suggested that she not only search for a suitable medical facility overseas, but also funding for the procedure. So the Islington, St Mary woman is reaching out to the public for assistance.

"I have a GoFundMe account and I am going to keep a cake sale to raise some funds. Currently, I am seeking US$8,000 (approximately $1.2 million). I was looking for her to continue school this September, but that will not be possible because of the disease. I have a lot of plans for my daughter because she is my only child. I want to see her grow up and live a normal healthy life. I have always wanted a child. I am asking anyone who can assist in any way possible to do so please. I am also thankful for the prayers and kind words as well," Baldin said.

Donations for Kenecia's medical expenses can be made at https://gofund.me/e10c267d. Persons may also contact her mother Kwician Baldin at 876-304-0336.