
Crystal’s brain surgery
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I am raising money for my 25 year old cousin, Crystal Francis, in Dominica (Eastern Caribbean) who in early 2020 was diagnosed with a brain tumour and is in need of urgent brain surgery.
Crystal has been suffering from headaches, slowed speech, loss of physical mobility, impaired sight (retinal detachment) and the impaired use of her right hand. She travelled to St Lucia for a CT Scan which revealed major lesions on her brain as the cause of these impairments. She was referred on for surgery in St Lucia, where they have the expertise to undertake the procedure (unavailable in Dominican). However, since Crystal is from a family with a low income Crystal is unable to pay the sizeable medical bill for the procedure. This difficulty has grown as the Dominican economy has been hit by the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Crystal is the single mother of a wonderful 9 year old boy (pictured). She owned a small hair and nail shop in Portsmouth, on the north of the island but was forced to close it as her condition deteriorated. She lives with her mother, who works as a carer for the elderly. They were unable to afford the medical costs of her scan in St Lucia, this was funded at the discretion of the government (as Dominica does not have a CT scanner on island). However, the government - who’s health care system is increasingly focused on Covid - have stated that they can only meet some costs of her surgery, costs that the family are unable to afford on our own.
Moreover, the family have suffered great loss and ill fortune in recent years. Crystal lost her grandmother to cancer shortly after her family bar and restaurant was destroyed by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. And Crystal's elder sister, a university student in Trinidad, was murdered just months later. The family couldn't bear to face the the possibility of Crystal not receiving this much needed surgery.
On behalf of Crystal's immediate and extended family we wish to thank you for giving whatever you can to help her pay for her surgery.
November 2021 update:
- so far we have raised £4,168 towards the procedure
- due to the Covid-19 situation and us not yet reaching our goal the surgery has not yet happened.
- we have a remaining £5,282 to raise as quickly as we can
- Crystal's condition is progressively getting worse so any support you can offer is gratefully welcomed
With thanks and blessings,
Crystal's family and friends
Crystal has been suffering from headaches, slowed speech, loss of physical mobility, impaired sight (retinal detachment) and the impaired use of her right hand. She travelled to St Lucia for a CT Scan which revealed major lesions on her brain as the cause of these impairments. She was referred on for surgery in St Lucia, where they have the expertise to undertake the procedure (unavailable in Dominican). However, since Crystal is from a family with a low income Crystal is unable to pay the sizeable medical bill for the procedure. This difficulty has grown as the Dominican economy has been hit by the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Crystal is the single mother of a wonderful 9 year old boy (pictured). She owned a small hair and nail shop in Portsmouth, on the north of the island but was forced to close it as her condition deteriorated. She lives with her mother, who works as a carer for the elderly. They were unable to afford the medical costs of her scan in St Lucia, this was funded at the discretion of the government (as Dominica does not have a CT scanner on island). However, the government - who’s health care system is increasingly focused on Covid - have stated that they can only meet some costs of her surgery, costs that the family are unable to afford on our own.
Moreover, the family have suffered great loss and ill fortune in recent years. Crystal lost her grandmother to cancer shortly after her family bar and restaurant was destroyed by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. And Crystal's elder sister, a university student in Trinidad, was murdered just months later. The family couldn't bear to face the the possibility of Crystal not receiving this much needed surgery.
On behalf of Crystal's immediate and extended family we wish to thank you for giving whatever you can to help her pay for her surgery.
November 2021 update:
- so far we have raised £4,168 towards the procedure
- due to the Covid-19 situation and us not yet reaching our goal the surgery has not yet happened.
- we have a remaining £5,282 to raise as quickly as we can
- Crystal's condition is progressively getting worse so any support you can offer is gratefully welcomed
With thanks and blessings,
Crystal's family and friends
Organizer
Itsnot Adominic
Organizer