My name is Keva Kemp, and I’m writing this with a heart that is both broken and hopeful. As a mother, there’s no greater fear than watching your child fight for their life and no greater strength than the love that keeps you standing through it all. I never imagined I’d be here, asking for help from kind strangers, but when it comes to my son’s life, I will move mountains.

On April 7th, 2025 just 42 days before my baby boy’s third birthday our world turned upside down. DJ, short for D’Lann Jr. as many of our loved ones call him, was rushed to the Princess Margaret Hospital Pediatric Emergency Ward. What we thought was just a sick day turned out to be a nightmare: DJ was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. He was in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a life threatening condition that almost took him from us.

DJ spent 25 terrifying days in the hospital days filled with wires, machines, and moments where time stood still. He was in the ICU, then the Children’s Ward, while doctors worked around the clock to stabilize him. We lived minute by minute, clinging to hope, praying over his fragile body, and wishing this burden could be ours instead of his.

When he was finally discharged, we thought the worst was behind us but in truth, the real battle was just beginning. Managing Type 1 Diabetes is not just a diagnosis it’s a new way of life. My family and I have had to completely change how we live. We count every carb, watch every meal, monitor his blood sugar constantly, and give insulin with every bite. Some days we feel like we’re winning. Other days, we’re exhausted, terrified, and unsure if we’re doing enough. But we keep going because DJ deserves nothing less.

This past summer, we searched tirelessly for a school that could give DJ the normal childhood every child deserves. But school after school shut their doors to him. We were told that his condition was “too risky”that he was “too much of a liability.” As a parent, hearing that your child is unwelcome because of a medical condition is devastating. We cried. We prayed. We refused to give up.

At last, we found a school that agreed to accept him. But even then, there was a heartbreaking catch: due to the number of students, the staff can’t manually check DJ’s glucose levels throughout the day. For a child with Type 1 Diabetes, that could mean the difference between safety and a medical emergency. We cannot take that risk.

This is why we’re desperately trying to get DJ a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) machine a life-saving device that tracks his blood sugar levels in real time and alerts us or his caregivers if they go dangerously high or low. It would give us peace of mind and, more importantly, protect DJ when we can’t physically be with him.

But the cost is far beyond what we can manage. CGM devices are incredibly expensive here in The Bahamas, and the sensors which must be replaced frequently only add to the burden. We are trying to raise enough to cover just one year of supplies, to keep him safe through this critical time until he can attend a school with a nurse on staff.

And our plea doesn’t end there.

We are urgently trying to take DJ to the United States to see a pediatric endocrinologist for a second opinion on his diagnosis and treatment. As parents, we need to be absolutely sure that he’s getting the best possible care. In the U.S., there are life-changing medications, resources, and support systems for newly diagnosed children options that are simply not available here in The Bahamas. Access to these could drastically improve DJ’s health, safety, and quality of life. But without your help, that door remains closed to us.

So I’m here humbly and desperately asking for your help. Please help us raise the funds to:

• Purchase and maintain DJ’s CGM machine for one year

• Cover the costs to take DJ to the U.S. for expert pediatric care and medication access

This isn’t just medical equipment. This isn’t just a trip. This is a lifeline. This is a mother fighting with everything she has to protect her child.

Every dollar matters. Every share spreads DJ’s story to someone who may be able to help. And every prayer, every kind word, every act of compassion carries us one step closer to giving DJ the safe, healthy, joyful childhood he deserves.

From one parent to another, from one human to another thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. And thank you for standing with us in this fight for DJ’s life.

With all my heart,

Keva Kemp (DJ’s Mom)

For those in The Bahamas interested in an alternative option for donation, please see the below information for a wire transfer:

Keva Kemp

Commonwealth Bank- Oakes field / Nassau Street Branch

Account number: 7033245067 - savings