Brain surgery survivor getting assistance
Earlier this month, THE STAR reported that 28-year-old Latoya Hogarth had a brain aneurysm in August.
The Lilliput, St James resident claimed that she was given three days to live, but after her sister took her to The University Hospital of the West Indies, where she did an emergency surgery, she defied the doctors’ projections.
However, Hogarth was not able to pay for the surgery. Other medical bills have put her more than $1 million in arrears.
But after the story was published, she said that she has received $93,000 from random people who have called her phone.
She told THE WEEKEND STAR that she was surprised at the reaction and will be forever grateful.
“I can’t thank THE STAR enough. I feel very grateful. It is good to know that people still care. Whenever someone would call, I would feel like God is continuing to work miracles for me,” she said. “Sometimes people would just be calling to pray for me and I liked that very much.”
Hogarth says that the first time someone called promising to send her some money, she was over the moon.
“The very first time someone called me I actually didn’t believe that they would send me money,” she said, laughing. “I felt very excited to be receiving money for the first time from Western Union … that’s the first time I’ve ever collected money from them. It was a very exciting time for me. I was very thrilled.”
She says she ensured that she thanked everyone who gave her money.
“Everybody who has sent me money, I called them and thanked them. Those who sent me a message, I did the same. I messaged them and told them that it was greatly appreciated,” she exclaimed.
The 28-year-old says she finds it alarming that most of the persons who sent her money were living outside of Jamaica.
“People from overseas called me and said they saw my story and wanted to help. Some (local) Jamaicans did help … I think two or three of them, but it was mainly from overseas,” she said.
Just Sunday, she received $5,000 from a man who told her that was her Christmas gift. “He said, ‘Do not put it on the hospital bill; it’s for your Christmas’,” she laughed. “I’m still going to put it towards it, though. I don’t need anything for Christmas. “It (her situation) has been a blessing. It’s been great, and I’ve actually made some friends.”
Persons wishing to help Hogarth can contact her at 876-287-8747.