Ailing cop says cancer treatment hits a snag

Cancer-stricken cop Avarine Morris' battle with the illness, which is already a tumultuous one, has been hit with financial difficulties.

The 44-year-old detective corporal was diagnosed with sinus cancer and departed the island in March for Mexico to undergo treatment. But her plan is now at a standstill as she has no funds to complete the last two rounds of treatment.

"I'm stressed right now cause I have no money for treatment," she told the news team. Morris was assisted by the Sanmerna Foundation to begin treatment in Mexico, however, she was told by representatives of the non-profit organisation that funds were not readily available for her treatment. The news team was made privy to a voice recording in which someone who is believed to be a Sanmerna representative, tries to reassure Morris that her case is still being worked on.

"We already tried to put some money together by talking to some other source because Sanmerna don't have the funds because true the last burn victim, it take away everything. But we don't sit back, what we do, we went and start to get funds from the minister, like the CHASE Fund," the person says in the voice recording. The person added that they "are on it", trying to provide the funds needed for her treatment.

"Take care and we still have you in our prayers and we still remember you and continue praying for you," the person told Morris. When contacted by the news team, Stephen Josephs, projects manager of the Sanmerna Foundation, said he could not comment at this time.

Morris was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer in 2021, just a year after completing a root canal operation. She is currently in Mexico undergoing six rounds of treatment at the Astry Hospital.

"It's going okay. I do blood tests every time before treatment and every organ such as kidney, et cetera, are in good working condition," Morris said.