A seven-year-old boy who suffered serious burns in an accident at his home last week has undergone two successful surgeries overseas.
T’rique Jeffrey’s family is one of two extending heartfelt gratitude that their loved ones were able to be medically airlifted, through the financial assistance of the Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF).
In separate flights over the weekend, Jeffrey and cancer patient Deborah Carr’s paths almost crossed. While Carr was returning home to her family after receiving treatment in Suriname, T’rique was being hurried off to a specialised burn care centre in the Dominican Republic.
Media Relations Specialist for CAF, Jamilla Kirwan, said she received a call from T’rique’s tearful mother and father late last week, requesting assistance for the US$20,200 air ambulance flight.
At the time, T’rique was in a medically induced coma in the ICU at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center, after sustaining burns to 52 percent of his body. A medical report provided by the family indicated that T’rique had extensive burns to his left arm, chest, abdomen, back, both limbs, and face.
He was injured after apparently putting rubbing alcohol on his skin, before playing with a lighter and accidentally setting himself on fire.
Given the extent of his burns, the decision was made by local hospital doctors to seek transfer to an overseas centre better equipped to adequately manage his case. T’rique’s parents Royston Jeffrey and Latoya Jarvis accompanied their son to the Dominican Republic.
Royston has kept Kirwan updated on his progress via WhatsApp.
“I will always be thankful and grateful to you guys,” Kirwan said the emotional father responded in a voice note.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Carr’s family said they are happy to have their loved one back home and in their care.
In the request letter to the Foundation, the spokesperson indicated that Carr had initially travelled to Suriname for treatment but, due to her extremely weakened state, would have needed to return home via air ambulance, accompanied by medical support.
The air ambulance cost the Foundation US$62,000, a figure the family spokesperson said they would never have been able to afford.
Kirwan added that she sends her best wishes to both families on behalf of CAF and Ambassador Calvin Ayre, and pledged CAF’s continued support to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.