The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

CRYING from her hospital bed, Anastasia Johnson said she is in desperate need of O-negative blood donors to help her complete her final round of chemotherapy. The mother of three dreams of returning home to her children in Abaco as she awaits answers about her future.

“I cry almost every night because I miss my family. I cried all last night, I haven’t even slept for the day,” Ms Johnson told The Tribune, her voice cracking.

Ms Johnson, 51, has been battling ovarian cancer since last year. Her diagnosis has left her unable to work because of the debilitating pain she experiences daily. She recalled life before her illness, when she spent time with her children over lunch and at the park.

Now, her reality consists of travelling from Abaco to New Providence every three weeks for chemotherapy treatments. Ms Johnson said her haemoglobin level must reach a certain threshold before she can undergo treatment.

A healthy haemoglobin level for adult women typically ranges from 12 to 15.5. Ms Johnson said hers has fallen to 7.1, leaving her unable to proceed with her final round of chemotherapy until her blood count improves.

Blood donations are often used to increase a person's blood count. Ms Johnson said obtaining O-negative blood, one of the rarer blood types, has been an ongoing challenge throughout her treatment. She said she needs one to two units of blood to raise her haemoglobin level enough to proceed with her final round of chemotherapy. While she has never been unable to receive treatment, she said the process of securing blood each month has been mentally draining.

The plea also underscores a longstanding challenge in The Bahamas, where blood banks have frequently struggled to maintain adequate supplies.

Ms Johnson has two sons, aged 11 and 14, and an older daughter. Since her illness, she has relied on her children's father and other loved ones for support and care.

“The pain be so intense sometimes I can’t sleep in the night. I cry because of the pain.”

Despite her condition, Ms Johnson said she continues to fight every day for her family and prays for a miracle.

She is awaiting her sixth and final round of chemotherapy. The treatment will determine whether it has been successful or if the cancer has spread to other parts of her body.

She urged anyone with O-negative blood to donate to the blood bank.

“I just want to say that sometimes,” she added. “When you see people asking for help, if you can help, please do help, because it's a lot mentally that they be going through.”

Those wishing to provide further assistance to Ms Johnson can contact her at 242-804-2078.