Kaidija (right) was all smiles as she received the donation from her classmate Frances. Photo:VINO

The girls share a moment after the donation was made. [L-R Kailia, Frances and Kaidija]. Photo:VINO

Kaidija wishes to be a doctor someday and loves to go to school although she is not able to attend at the moment. Photo: Reuben Stoby/VINO

Kaidija A. Martin (in wheel chair) on her return to the Territory from Puerto Rico on Friday November 16, 2012. From Left is Violata Clyne, Noel Martin and Louisa Williams. Photo: Reuben Stoby/VINO

The classmate, Frances de Castro, raised the undisclosed sum through a sustained effort after reading an article posted by this news site in mid-November which detailed Kaidija’s illness and accompanying financial struggles to meet her hospital bills.

10-year-old Kaidija is currently suffering from a disease called Lupus, a disorder of the immune system that causes it to turn against parts of the body it is designed to protect.

Frances collected the funds in a jar with the inscription ‘I am Frances de Castro. I am asking for donations for my friend and schoolmate Kaidija Martin who is the same age as I am, 10 years old and she is suffering from a disease called Lupus. I do hope that you can make a donation, any amount I will be thankful for’. She signed the appeal by adding her name, class and school, Althea Scatliffe Primary.

Kaidija and her father, Noel Martin, both expressed their gratitude for the kind donation.

Meanwhile, Kaidija was all smiles and excitement as she received the donation from her classmate. Her younger sister, Kailia, seemed even more ecstatic as the three young girls giggled and hugged each other repeatedly following the presentation today at her home.

See previous story posted November 26, 2012:

UPDATE: Kaidija Martin overcomes latest health scare

- Father pleased with public's pledges of assistance

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- 10-year-old Kaidija Martin, who is afflicted with Lupus, had a slight health scare recently and had to be rushed to Peebles Hospital.

According to the child's father, Noel Martin, Kaidija was suffering from severe chest pains. He also said doctors indicated to the family that it was due to the amount of medication she has been taking since her return from hospitalisation in Puerto Rico.

"The doctors had to clear her chest and this is the best they could do because they can't reduce her meds as only the doctors in Puerto Rico can do that. She has to return to Puerto Rico in six weeks time so we will see how that goes," Mr Martin told Virgin Islands News Online.

He said Kaidija is doing well now.

Mr. Martin also told this news site that there have been a number of pledges from the public towards financial assistance for Kaidija's health care.

"No money has started rolling in as yet though except from trust company Mossack Fonseca who gave us $1000. That money has already been given to the hospital."

Mr Martin also said the Play to Win Sport Store has promised to hold a fund raising event in December in aid of Kaidija.

See previous story posted: 

Father fighting to save life of daughter stricken with serious illness

Still grieving over the death of his wife nearly two years ago due to Lupus, Mr Noel Martin is now fighting to save the life of his 10-year-old daughter who is also afflicted with the illness.

Mr Martin told Virgin Islands News Online that Kaidija Amberly Martin was diagnosed with the disease some years ago but she was receiving medical treatment right here on Tortola and was “doing well” until her health suddenly turned for the worse over a month ago.

Such was the severity of his daughter's condition that she was required to seek emergency treatment in Puerto Rico where she spent the last four weeks undergoing treatment. 

Speaking to this news site at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Friday November 16, 2012 where he went to receive his daughter on her return from Puerto Rico, Mr Martin expressed delight to see his daughter again but said he had feared the worst when his daughter left the island.

"I am happy. I can't believe it. The way how she left from here I thought she would not have returned so I thank God for that and am so happy. She left hooked up to a machine with a tube down her throat and she couldn't do anything on her own. The machine had to do that for her."

The worry for Mr Martin is not over, however, since his daughter has to return to hospital on a constant basis for checkups. This is in addition to a hefty sum owed to the HIMA Health Hospital as medical bills.

He is now hoping that kind hearted persons could come forward and assist the family clear a $40, 000 bill at the HIMA Health Hospital in Puerto Rico.

Due to an agreement between the Martin’s family and the BVI Health Services Authority for the transfer of Kaidija to Puerto Rico for further medical attention, the family is now required to pay $500 a month over the next six months. This is a small amount compared to the additional expenses for hospitalisation, physician and other related costs.

The worried father, an employee of Bolo's Department Store, said he has only been receiving help from his mother Louisa Williams but needs a lot more help to clear his bills. He hopes to get the support from the community for a fund raising drive.
 
"We want to straighten up our bill in case we have to send her again [to HIMA Health Hospital] we would be able to do so."

This news site also spoke to Kaidija's aunt Violata Clyne who accompanied her to Puerto Rico. "Right now she is not a hundred percent but she is doing a lot better. She has to go and do a check up every six weeks for now. She is under a lot of medication and as longs as we give her the medication and we take care of her, give her the proper food and keep her away from people who is sick, that is going to make her recovery a lot better."
 
Kaidija, a student of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School, is unable to return to school until maybe two weeks time, which means she would not be going out to school until January since school is expected to break for the Christmas holiday in two weeks time.

Virgin Islands News Online visited Kaidija at her grandmother Louisa Williams’ home in Purcell Estate where Kaidija told us she was feeling good despite a nose bleed earlier in the day. Sitting next to a stack of books, Kaidija related that she had missed school and all her friends there especially her best friend Jennel. She confidently said she was looking forward to returning to full strength and going back to school in the new term.

Very striking about Kaidija was her ability to communicate almost like an adult and we were not surprised when we were told that she was a high achiever at school. Kaidija said she wants to be a doctor because she wants to help save lives, however, she said her favourite subject in school was Social Studies because she enjoys learning about the past.

Kaidija also enjoys singing and said her favourite song was “You raise me up so I can stand on mountains”.

A very sad moment was when Kaidija expressed how Lupus affects her from living a normal life and which she says makes her feel “very different” because she is not able to run and play with her friends as often and how she would like to. Kaidija is mostly required to stay indoors especially when the sun is up as too much sunlight could have an adverse effect on her already frail health.

She noted that most times she feels pain in her fingers and back.

Mr Martin related that when Kaidija was first being affected by the disease she would not let them know because she was afraid to go to the doctor. “I guess she saw how her mother suffered with all the treatment that she had to get and Kaidija was afraid that she would have to go through the same. She was especially afraid of injections. But my wife was diagnosed with Lupus at a very late stage so she suffered a lot before she died,” Mr Martin recalled.

It was only when they realised her grades in school was on the decline that they realised that something was wrong and took her for a check up.

Meanwhile, anyone wishing to help the Martin’s family with their recent medical expenses can make contact with them via 441-6728 or 494-1613.

Persons can also deposit their donations to Scotiabank account # 2007022.

What Is Lupus?

According to the Lupus Foundatin of America, Lupus is one of many disorders of the immune system known as autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system turns against parts of the body it is designed to protect. This leads to inflammation and damage to various body tissues. Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Although people with the disease may have many different symptoms, some of the most common ones include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems.

At present, there is no cure for lupus. 

However, lupus can be effectively treated with drugs, and most people with the disease can lead active, healthy lives. Lupus is characterized by periods of illness, called flares, and periods of wellness, or remission. Understanding how to prevent flares and how to treat them when they do occur helps people with lupus maintain better health.

It was also stated that research is underway, and scientists are continuing to make great strides in understanding the disease, which may ultimately lead to a cure.