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Teachers perform for Baby Hamilton - Mother seeks aid from public for sick child

Published:Tuesday | June 15, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Rhona Hamilton holds her daughter, Kieonajae. - Photo by Curtis Campbell
Teachers from the Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory School all dressed in uniforms to perform at a fund-raising event at the school last Friday. - Photo by Curtis Campbell
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Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Last Friday at Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory was no ordinary Friday. Scores of parents and teachers came out to support a fund-raising function kept at the institution. The function was geared at financing a liver-transplant operation for three-month-old Kieonajae Hamilton, the daughter of Rhona Hamilton, a library teacher at the school.

Baby Hamilton was diagnosed at birth with a life-threatening illness called Biliary Atresia. According to Baby Hamilton's mother, "The ducts between the liver and gall bladder are blocked. Therefore, the bile is not going where it's supposed to go and this gives her prolonged discomfort. She needs a liver transplant." Rhona also said Baby Hamilton wasn't able to sleep at nights because this was when the symptoms of the illness were most pronounced.

The Gleaner met with Claudia Nugent, vice-principal of Sts Peter and Paul. She said it would cost C$300,000 for the operation the child needed. According to Nugent, the school wanted to help and was seeking the assistance of the The CHASE Fund and the Ministry of Health. However, there has been no official response from the organisations.

"We decided to keep this little function to provide additional proceeds for the Baby Hamilton Fund. As a Christian school, we are exercising our principles. We try to help each other," she said.

Students, parents and teachers associated with Sts Peter and Paul took part in the concert.

The single mother of two said it broke her heart to see her child suffer and she was very grateful for the assistance she was getting up to that point.

However, the goal of getting surgery for her daughter is still a long way away.

"I encourage everybody who can assist us, please do," she said, while a visibly ill Baby Hamilton clung to her bosom.

Persons interested to in providing assistance to the Baby Hamilton Fund can make donations to Scotiabank account number 822 921, visit the Hagley Park branch to donate, or call Rhona Hamilton at 1-876-856-1851.