Ailing cop heads to Mexico for cancer treatment
In just six days, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) raised the additional $4 million needed for Detective Corporal Avarine Morris’ immunotherapy treatment at the Astry Hospital in Mexico.
At a press conference yesterday, the head of the JCF Welfare Division, Deputy Superintendent Raymond Wilson, said the division played a vital role in coordinating the fundraiser. Up until last Tuesday, she had raised less than half of the US$66,000 (approximately J$10.2million) needed for the therapy.
“It is in moments like these that the true spirit of our JCF family shines brightest, because together the officer corps and the rank and file showcased their unparalleled solidarity by raising in excess of four million Jamaican dollars to support this cause and to support
Ava as she travels abroad to seek medical care,” Wilson said.
“Her journey, I must say to Jamaica, is not just one of healing, it is one of hope and resilience,” Wilson added.
Morris left the island yesterday at 2 p.m. She is the first cancer patient to be assisted by the Sanmerna Foundation, which usually assists burn victims. The foundation will be covering the logistics of Morris’ trip and treatment.
“What Sanmerna has been doing ... is organise with the hospital where she will be undergoing treatment… communicate with the hospital, let them know that she’s coming, corresponding with our embassy in Mexico as well, just to ensure we don’t have any issues at immigration,” said Project Manaager of the Sanmerna Foundation,
Steven Josephs, who will accompanied Morris to Mexico.
Robert White, director of the Sanmerna Foundation, has known Morris for more than 15 years. He said that the foundation decided to get on board because of her dedication to her work and the impact she has had.
“I’m very grateful, you know, to be a part of this team to help with the process of getting her better… . She serves and protect we Jamaicans,” White said.
Over the last three years, Morris has been battling sinus cancer. Yesterday, she was in high spirits as she awaits her departure. Due to the severity of the disease, Morris’ speech has been impaired, but she was able to express her gratitude to the JCF, the Sanmerna Foundation and everyone who donated.
“I’m happy, I’m elated because God has been good. I’m grateful for all the support,” Morris said. “Every day I cry. It has been hard, but I tell myself that this too shall pass. It’s been rough, I haven’t eaten any solid food for over two years; nothing solid, just liquid,” Morris told THE STAR. After three months of immunotherapy treatment, she will be able to fully remove the tumour, then do facial reconstruction surgery. She has already completed radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.
Since her diagnosis, Morris’s family and co-workers have provided her with an abundance of support. This includes her 22-year-old daughter, Renecia Raymond, who also travelled with her to Mexico. She told THE STAR that she is looking forward to seeing her mother regain her strength and have a normal life again.
“I hope and pray this comes out very successful so she can come back on her feet again, be happy, be jovial and be her again,” Raymond said. Also there to support Morris was her colleague of nine years, Detective Sargent Maurizo Martin. He said that since learning of her diagnosis, he has prayed for her every morning.
“She has been a tremendous person in my life as it relates to my development in the organisation, and I know that she is here for a purpose, to give her testimony to the world and to be a greater version of herself, not only for her family, but Jamaica,” Martin said.