Twenty-two-month-old Avisha Best, the young leukaemia patient who was hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital for 45 days, was flown to the United States last week for advanced medical treatment.
Saving Hands Emergency Aid Inc (SHEA) Foundation had taken up the mantle to raise funds for the toddler’s treatment several weeks ago.

The organisation has been seeking the public assistance in rising the necessary funds and was successful in organising, coordinating and funding the treatment and transportation for the toddler to receive the necessary care.
In a statement the organisation expressed, “Sincere thanks to everyone who donated to make this treatment a reality for Avisha. You are true Earth Angels.”
According to SHEA, the debilitating disease had taken a toll on Avisha’s health. The organisation said despite incredible efforts from local doctors to treat the child, her condition continued to worsen as time passed.
According to the American Society of Hematology, leukaemia is a type of cancer found in the blood and bone marrow and is caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells.
These abnormal white blood cells are not able to fight infection and impair the ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells and platelets.
Leukaemia can be either acute or chronic. Chronic leukaemia progresses more slowly than acute leukaemia, which requires immediate treatment. Leukaemia is also classified as lymphocytic or myelogenous.
Lymphocytic leukaemia refers to abnormal cell growth in the marrow cells that become lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a role in the immune system.
Myelogenous leukaemia is when the abnormal cell growth occurs in the marrow cells that mature into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
The organisation noted that the toddler was still in urgent need of funding to assist throughout treatment abroad and was, therefore, pleading with the public to kindly continue to donate and share her story.
Persons interested in donating towards the cause are asked to do so by either visiting the following link: https://savinghandsemergencyaid.org/avishabest or making a donation at a local branch of Demerara Bank under the name Lori Narine, using account number: 006002041325.