Keneil Hunter

An open-heart surgery is 15-year-old Keneil Hunter's only chance of survival, and his parents are desperately appealing to the public for financial assistance.

Hunter's mother, 47-year-old Michelle Genius, is seeking help for her son who was recently given a whopping bill of more than $850,000 for surgery.

THE STAR understands that Hunter has a hole in his enlarged heart. In addition, he has vegetation on his heart valve.

Genius, a security officer by profession and the mother of five children, says that in order for Hunter to get his surgery done, she has to come up with at least 80 per cent of the total cost of the surgery.

He is to do surgery on October 28, 2011.

Hunter is a grade-nine student at the Cumberland High school in Portmore, St Catherine, and because of his illness, he is unable to attend school regularly.

"He goes to school on and off and, really and truly, he is supposed to be in grade 10; but because of the illness he had to repeat grade nine. He was an active boy who used to play his football, but because of the illness he tends to stay by himself and he tries to hide that he is in pain sometimes, because he doesn't want me to get, worried," Genius told THE STAR.

Genius further reasoned with THE STAR that her son was born with a hole in his heart, however, he started having problems, march this year.

"He started complaining that he was feeling pain in his legs and I bought something for muscle pain, because that is what I thought it was. He later developed a fever and so I took him to the University of the West Indies Hospital where he was admitted in March to be treated, and he was released in June of this year."

Efforts made to speak with Keneil's doctor proved futile.

However, THE STAR managed to speak with Hunter's father, 51-year-old Derrick Hunter, a maintenance worker, who confirmed his son's illness and need for surgery.

"I don't live with my son, but me and some of my family just keep a little party over the weekend to raise some funds for his surgery; but I am really seeking help for him because his sickness has really affected his schooling. I am reaching out to the media for help for Keneil," Derrick said.

Also, medical documents shown to THE STAR from Keneil's doctor at the University Hospital of the West Indies indicate that he has vegetation on his heart valve and he has an enlarged heart.

Anyone who wants to assist Keneil Hunter may make donations to National Commercial Bank (NCB) account #402597984.

Keneil's mother, Michelle Genius, may be contacted at 476-8182.