Female cop needs help to beat cancer

Avarine Morris is in a race against time as she battles a rare form of cancer that has ravaged a portion of her face, threatening both her health and appearance.

The cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, or sinus cancer, was detected in 2021, a year after Morris did a root canal operation.

“Sometime in 2020, I went to the dentist and started doing root canal. A couple months after, I began to feel some pain. I told the doctor of my complaints and he referred me to the endodontist. I started treatment there, and then I realised that the pain had become excruciating. One evening after coming home from work, I started to bleed from my right nostril and went to my private doctor,” Morris related.

Her physician advised her to consult an oral surgeon, who then informed her that he noticed something on her sinuses. Subsequent biopsy results confirmed Morris’ worst fears – cancer.

“It (the cancer) is rare, and he (oral surgeon) said it’s serious and I should act on it right away; and he referred me to Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) to do a surgery,” the Burnt Ground district, St Elizabeth native shared with THE WEEKEND STAR.

Morris, a detective corporal attached to the Major Investigations Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), said that the surgery to remove all the cancerous cells was not successful. She has also done radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.

The toll of the disease is evident, with doctors having to remove part of her jawbone as the tumour encroaches upon her left eye.

However, the treatment was not helping her to heal.

“I went to Florida in 2023 and was getting treatment. It was working, but only to be told couple months in that the cancer was spreading, and that I should go home and prepare for my funeral and spend time with my family. They had stopped all treatment,” she said.

Morris returned to Jamaica that year, not defeated, but determined to seek help for her worsening condition. A friend of hers, Rennie, recommended that she visited an oncology centre in Mexico, which specialises in her diagnosed cancer.

“I serve a living God and He is going to heal me.

With the little knowledge I have in Spanish, I journeyed to Mexico and saw the doctors who gave me hope,” said the St Elizabeth Technical High alumna.

Morris is now on a quest to raise US$66,000 for her treatment. At the same time, she remains positive despite her illness, holding on to the reassurance that God will heal her.

“I have a co-worker who has cancer too, and doctor gave her six months to live. She couldn’t help herself. I saw her recently and would you believe she’s OK now?” Morris said, adding that her colleague even got a promotion.

“I am praying, and I have faith in God; my family, genuine love and prayers are keeping me. I have my daughter, Renecia Raymond, supporting me all the way,” she boasted.

“It’s almost three years now I have this disease, but I know my God is working miracles on me, so after getting the good news from the doctors in Mexico and with prayers, I have a dream to push further, because I know my testimony is going to reach lots of people around the world,” she said.

Persons can donate to Avarine Morris’ treatment via her GoFundMe campaign at https://gofund.me/edfacada.