Hi, my name is Valerie Ford, and I'm fundraising for my cousin Raphael who lives in Barbados.

November 2021, Raphael started complaining of pain in his joints; the pain was so severe he could hardly walk.

We took him to a doctor in Barbados after countless lab work, x-rays, ultrasounds and an MRCP.

The results showed early signs of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), but further tests needed to be done.

We were then referred to a Paediatric Haemato-Oncologist, and with the findings from the MRCP, a Liver Biopsy was suggested.

February 2022, Raphael was diagnosed wirh (PSC), or stage 2 liver Fibrosis.

March, he had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. The colonoscopy showed he has Ulcerative Colitis (UC) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Both diseases go hand in hand but require separate clinical trials.

We desire to accompany Raphael to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto for Hepatology consultation and assessment with respect to PSC and the likelihood of progression to liver failure requring transplataion.

There's an urgency to get him to Sick Kids Hospital, as he needs to be seen before he turns 18 years old on August 3rd.

We are therefore seeking any assistance/donation in an effort to help us with getting Raphael overseas for treament. Any monies collected will go toward hotel stay, medications and doctor bills.

Any assistance given is very much appreciated.

Respectfully,

Hitlall/Ford family

Renny and/or Cathy-Ann Hitlall

(parents)