Donate to help save Jane's vision

Hello, my name is Catherine. I'm a first-generation American, and I'm reaching out for help with a fundraiser for my mother, Jane Woods. She returned to her home country, the Bahamas, after raising her family in the United States about twenty years ago.

Last fall, my mother began experiencing complications with her vision in her right eye. She noticed blurred vision, reduced side (peripheral) vision, and a curtain-like shadow over her field of vision. After visiting the local clinic on the island where she lives, she was referred to an ophthalmologist for a diagnosis and treatment. Her condition was progressively worsening, so she was urged to visit as soon as possible. She traveled to Nassau, and fortunately, she was able to secure an appointment for the very next day after her arrival. She safely arrived in Nassau and was warmly welcomed into the home of her sister, Tina Carey, and her adult children.

The next day, my mom was diagnosed with retinal detachment, a serious emergency situation in which the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye pulls away from its normal position. This condition separates the retinal cells from the layer of blood vessels that provide oxygen and nourishment to the eye. The longer the retinal detachment goes untreated, the greater the risk of permanent vision loss in the affected eye. She would need a vitrectomy, a surgical procedure for the treatment of various eye disorders.

While my mother was willing to undergo this delicate procedure to save her eyesight, she was hit with devastating news. Her insurance, as a senior citizen in the Bahamas, would not cover the procedure as it would have to be done privately. The surgeon advised that the government hospital does not have the equipment or facilities to perform this procedure. The first portion of the procedure would cost approximately $19,000, with another procedure after three months at about the same cost. Roughly $35,000 would be needed to save her vision, which left my mother devastated.

Immediate family members offered support and collaborated to put together funds for the emergency surgery, while Aunt Tina and her daughter, Nikisha, cared for her daily physical and emotional needs in their home.

My mother's first surgery was a success. One surgeon removed cataracts from her right eye, while the other performed a vitrectomy. The healing process went as anticipated, and she was able to return home to Long Island a few weeks before Christmas.

After traveling to Nassau two times over the past three months for successful follow-up visits, she now has the surgeon's okay to schedule the second part of the surgery: epiretinal membrane peel and silicone oil removal.

Again, $15,000 must be raised to cover the cost of the surgery, not including travel, medication, and postoperative glasses costs.

We need your financial assistance to help cover the cost of the surgery. I humbly ask that you consider donating to my mother's surgery cost. Your contribution can help ensure that my mom receives the best possible care and resources to aid in her recovery. Your generosity can make a real difference in the life of my mom. I am grateful for anything you can give and thank you for your compassion towards her.

Thank you, and God bless you.