A Vincentian woman is appealing for assistance as she prepares to travel overseas for urgent fibroid surgery, after exhausting local treatment options and facing a funding shortfall that threatens to delay the life-changing procedure.
The woman, who has been battling fibroids for several years, says the condition has steadily worsened, affecting her health, daily life, and fertility. Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours that grow in and around the uterus and are known to disproportionately affect Black women. In her case, the growths have caused chronic pain, heavy bleeding, and increasing concern about long-term reproductive damage.
After seeking medical advice locally in St Vincent and the Grenadines, she was advised that specialised surgical care was not readily available and that treatment abroad was necessary. Like many Vincentian women facing similar diagnoses, she has been forced to look to Barbados for treatment.
She is scheduled to undergo surgery at Bayview Hospital, a procedure doctors say is critical to preserving her health and any remaining chance of future fertility. The total cost of the surgery and associated expenses runs into tens of thousands of dollars.
Assistance has been provided by the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines and the NBC Medical Fund, support the woman describes as vital and deeply appreciated. However, she remains short EC$7,792.35, a gap that must be filled before the surgery can proceed.
The woman says asking for help has not been easy, but delaying the procedure is not an option. Without surgery, her condition is expected to worsen, further limiting her quality of life and fertility prospects.
Her situation highlights a reality faced by many Vincentian women living with fibroids — where access to specialised care often depends on overseas travel and personal fundraising. For those affected, the condition is not just a medical diagnosis, but a financial and emotional burden that can alter the course of their lives.
She is now appealing to the public for assistance, hoping to secure the remaining funds needed to move forward with treatment and begin the process of recovery.
Persons wishing to donate are asked to contact +1784-498-2175
