A Child With Leukemia

This is Jorge. About a year ago, Jorge, at 4 years old, was diagnosed with leukemia. The only doctor that can attend to his treatment is from Guatemala City, a 12 hour bus trip from here. Jorge was put on strong doses of steroids and told to return every 2 - 4 weeks for blood tests and changes in the medical regimen ... a trip that costs Q600 (about US$80, CAD$100). With support from family, friends and a couple of small donations, they were able to take him 5 times to the city. On those trips, the high doses of steroids were dropped bit by bit, from 7 pills per day to 4 pills per day. Since October of 2006, (7 months) they have not been able to afford another journey to the city.

Now, the family doesn't know if he is on the right dosage of steroids, and although they have taken it upon themselves to drop his dosage even further, they are understandably afraid to stop altogether without the blood tests and doctors "say-so". However, they realize that there is a serious problem with long term steroid use, and are now worried that he may be taking them when he shouldn't.

The only answer is to get him back to the city for another battery of tests and consultation with the specialist.

Dr. Bob Dickson, coordinator of "Friends of Ix-canaan", from Calgary, Alberta, says that they will fund half of the cost ... Q300. We are looking for someone who can make the trip reality, before a more serious problem develops, by donating the other Q300. If you are able to help Jorge, please contact anne@ixcanaan.com.