Hi Met, my name is Karessa Marshall.
Thank you very much for publishing my story on your site in March. This is an update as to what is going on with me presently.
The cardioligist in Jamaica told me that I need to do a Electrophysiology and Ablasion procedure which is not done in Jamaica. I needed to get the procedure done overseas. After extensive research on line for hospitals overseas that does this procedure, I was responded to by John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. They gave me an estimated figure of $46,000 usd. I then realized that it’s a costly procedure and I didn’t have any money to proceed. I was then adviced to contact the Ministry of Health for some assistance.
They initially told me that I should prepare myself for the trip and that they wouldn’t help with the trip. So I went ahead and had a fundrasing party in my community, reached out to friends and family for the funds needed to get to the John Hopkins hospital. Jetblue gave me a return ticket, a social media group called Promotors Forum (west kgn) and anymonous persons also donated to my cause. I was able to procure funds for room and board and food also the consultation cost of $950 paid to JH. In addition the funds raised also assisted in procuring a US visa.
I arrived in Baltimore on March 5, and did my first visit to JH on March 12. This is when I got the first official documentation from JH as to what is needed to be done and at a cost of $56,000US. This was forwarded to MOH to the two personnels who were handling my case. It was then I was told by one of them that the funds available to MOH could not be used for my operation and I would have to wait until the next fiscal year to see if they would have enough funds to help me. Please note that due to the severity of my condition JH immediately scheduled an appointment for the procedure to be done March 19.
Needless to say, I could not turn up on the date given as I don’t have any money to pay to JH. Friends and family then pooled together with there heads to find another way out that would’nt be so costly. I decided to start my search all over and was contacted by Montefiore in the Bronx. So, I made my way from Baltimore to the Bronx and staying with family friend. To date they have not given me a cost as yet. I have an appointment to meet with the Cardiogist in this coming week. Hopefully the cost will be significantly less than JH.
Which brings me to the point of contacting you. I do not know where else to turn to seek assistance. I was hopoing you could direct me to charitable organizations or share any Jamaican group that I could reach out to in order to get some assistance, As the post you did stated, I have a gofundme account and have been getting some assistance. Please publish the followup to my story as I am in dire need of help. Thank you again for all your help I really appreciate any help you can extend my way. Money is important, but in my situation information on ways to seek help is also a plus.
Big up Met, I never heard about this site until recently and I am already hooked. I read up on the various topics and posts to lighten my days. Continue putting up the people dem met..haha
We must endeavor to give
Oh my..a PayPal she a use?
(Simplicity soon sign in)
This is a friend of my friend and he has so many negative things to say but I will try and give
Hot stepper why was he so negative? Mek we know please
@Metty, who me fi link..I will give what i can.. meck me know, thursday a pad-day lol….
I can give u her email Highly
Interested in helping as well. I would however like to hear the final outcome from the hospital. The last two times I donated, gov ended up taking care of the bill. With that being said Met, I am really interested in finding out more about the boy in st. Ann who is in need of a wheelchair (the one who uses the baby stroller) There was nothing set up or a contact info with the article.
Mi a go tell u the truth…di only Observer writer that responds and follow up with stories is Donna Hussey-Whyte..I will try again for the boy that needs the wheel chair..For Karessa I have her email I will ask her if I can post it here so people can contact her
She can apply for emergency Medicaid. Met tell her to speak with a social worker
She actually can go to an emergency room anywhere and take it from there actually..I will email her..thank u for the headsup
Since she already have contact with Montefiore, it might be best for her to speak with the social worker in the department where she is going to have the surgery or let them admit her and then the social worker can start the process for emergency medicaid
ok metty..me link u off air..
no prob
HELLO EVERYONE, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS, I DO HAVE A :gofundme.com / karessamarshall account, THANKS SO MUCH, YES THE HOSPITAL STILL WANTS SOME FUNDS AND MEDICAID WONT COVER THE SURGERY, IT WILL COVER EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS, THATS WHAT I WAS TOLD WHEN I ASKED THEM.MY EMAIL IS [email protected], GOD BLESS YOU ALL
HOT STEPPA, AS ALWAYS YOU CANT PLEASE EVERYONE AND ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME CAN TELL YOU THAT I AM A PEOPLE PERSON WARM N ALWAYS SMILING, I TRY NOT TO BE NEGATIVE, BUT PPL WILL HATE YOU N TRY TO DRAG YOU DOWN FOR NOTHING, SO NUFF LOVE, I DNT BLV I DID YOUR FRIEND INJUSTICE,WHOME EVER YOUR FRIEND IS.
Hello everyone, i am karessa and i am bk in new tork for follow up treatment with the cardeologists here at montefiore. Just want to say a warm thank yoy to all who reaches out in prayers n all. God bless you all. As you have asked a few questions let me answer as clearly as i can: no i wasnt given any financial assistance by the jamaican government regarding funds that were claim to be allocated from i just fot sick june 2014 up to now. Yes i have received medical aasistance from the united states. As always i am greatful. I will continue to keep u posted. [email protected]
Good to hear from you, how is everything now?