Rhona Hamilton stands with her daughter, Keona-Jae Stennett, who is in need of a liver transplant. - Gladstone Taylor

Keona-Jae Stennett, a two-year-old child who was recently re-admitted to the Bustamante Hospital for Children, now needs to undergo surgery for a new liver.

The procedure, however, costs an estimate of US$400,000-$600,000. Local artiste Junior Reid has already committed himself to helping the cause, but the doctors say the surgery will have to be done overseas and very soon.

The parents Rhona Hamilton, a teacher, and Gregory Stennett, a sales clerk, are doing everything and anything to raise the funds, but it is costly. It would be cheaper, however, if one of the parents after doing a test could donate a piece of their liver to the child. But that still requires some US$600 and documents to be filled out, and then to travel to the US to perform the test.

THE WEEKEND STAR understands that young Keona is suffering from what is known as biliary atresia, which is a form of neonatal cholestasis. This occurs when the ducts between the gall bladder and the liver is either blocked or missing. This would mean that the toxins cleaned from the blood which forms bile has nowhere to go, as bile is usually stored in the gall bladder and passed out in urine and faeces during the process of excretion.

Gregory is, however, adamant that he must do everything to save his child. He is planning a fish fry on December 2 at Baker Street in Jones Town, Kingston, and a major concert next year at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre and already has Junior Reid on board. He said, "Mi feel sey no matter what, I have to get the funds to make this happen. When I go around the baby, I can't show any fear or seem negative as well, because I want her to sense that positive spirit around her and I hope she will pull through."

The hospital doctors explained to Hamilton that they have given her until the age of six to do the surgery because the condition will worsen if it is not done by then.

Keona-Jae Stennett at five months old. - Winston Sill/Contributed

When THE WEEKEND STAR asked Stennett how he was coping with the situation, he said, "I have to be focused and positive no matter what. Despite the challenges, I will do anything to help my daughter."

Stennett has managed to already get a 50 per cent discount on using the Ranny Williams Centre. For now, Stennett is a man constantly in the streets working hard to his goal of saving the life of his daughter.

Hamilton is praying for her child and believes she can pull through this crisis with the given assistance. Hamilton said, "She stays with the nanny when I'm at work, and despite the situation, I still give God thanks. I'm working towards getting funds to help with the surgery."

Organisations or persons interested in assisting young Keona-Jae can lodge any amount of funds to Churches Co-operative Credit Union account #761-8143. They can also contact Gregory Stennett at 283-1544 or 527-0906 and Hamilton at 856-1851 or 816-8411.

Keona-Jae's father, Gregory Stennett