Family seeks help to fund Cancer treatment for 7-year-old Essequibo boy

The family of a seven-year-old boy diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer is seeking the public’s assistance to offset the cost of treatment overseas.

Munesh Narayan of Somerset, Essequibo Coast was recently diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive type of cancer that is difficult to treat. As Guyana does not offer treatment, efforts are being undertaken to raise money so the young lad can receive treatment in the United States.

Narayan’s aunt, Ameera Singh spoke with Big Smith News Watch on Monday and said the cost of his treatment overseas would be between US$100,000 – $300,000.

SHEA, a non-governmental organisation, is helping the family raise money. Donations can be made to Demerara Bank under the name Lori Narine and account number: 6002041325.

According to Singh, Narayan, who is typically a cheerful, happy, and active child, is unable to walk because of excruciating pain.

In January, Narayan began complaining of pain in his left leg and so his parents took him to the Suddie Hospital in Essequibo.

“After some time, it started to swell and it was really paining him,” Singh explained.

Doctors at the hospital ordered an x-ray, thinking his leg was broken but this was ruled out and so he was sent home with pain medications.

After the child continued to experience pain, he was taken to the hospital again where he underwent emergency surgery for an infected leg. After the operation, he spent two weeks in the hospital before being discharged.

Singh added that during the surgery, doctors obtained a biopsy of the leg and sent it for testing. “Nothing was confirmed, the orthopaedics said his leg was infected because it had [inflammation] and so they went in and did a surgery.”

But after he went home, his condition worsened and this time his parents took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

“He was there for another two weeks waiting on the biopsy results and then it was confirmed it was cancer,” Singh said.

Doctors at GPHC had recommended amputation of the leg but fortunately, foreign doctors on a medical mission to Guyana at the time looked at his case and said treatment can be done overseas.

Narayan is the eldest of two children.