The death of Trashaun Atwell, a 14-year-old boy who lost a two-year battle with acute myeloid leukaemia, has prompted the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) to call for a national fund to help families meet the cost of specialised medical treatment for children.
A National Catastrophic Illness Fund for Children and Young People, arguing that families should not have to depend primarily on public fundraising when faced with significant medical expenses.
DLP spokesperson on Health and Elder Affairs Felicia Dujon made the proposal on Monday as she extended condolences to the boy’s family.
Dujon said in a statement:“Trashaun’s death must not simply become another heartbreaking story that fades from our headlines. It must force us to confront a fundamental question: what happens when a Barbadian child needs life-saving treatment that their family simply cannot afford?”
Atwell was awaiting a bone marrow transplant at the time of his death. .
Dujon said his death should also prompt a broader examination of the number of families turning to online fundraising campaigns when their children face cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
She said: “We have seen far too many GoFundMe campaigns involving our children and young people. We have watched parents publicly share their deepest pain and plead with strangers to help them find the money needed to keep their children alive.
“The generosity of Barbadians is something we should be proud of, but we cannot confuse the generosity of our people with an adequate healthcare policy.”
Under the DLP’s proposal, the fund would be financed by the national budget and provide assistance with overseas treatment and surgery, bone marrow and organ transplantation, specialised cancer medications and therapies, medical equipment, specialist consultations, as well as travel and accommodation associated with treatment.
Dujon said there should also be established arrangements with specialist hospitals and medical centres overseas for treatment that cannot be provided in Barbados.
“When a child requires a bone marrow transplant, specialised cancer treatment or another procedure that cannot be provided here, there should be a clear and properly funded pathway to get that child to the care they need.
“Families should not have to navigate international healthcare systems alone while their child is fighting for life.”
The party is also proposing a dedicated case-management system to help families navigate referrals, overseas treatment, financial assistance and other logistical challenges.
Ant such fund should be adequately financed, transparently administered and able to respond quickly, Dujon said.
“A GoFundMe campaign should never determine whether a child receives life-saving treatment. A child’s chance of survival must never depend on the size of their parents’ bank account, their social connections or how quickly a fundraising appeal can reach the public.”
Acknowledging that the government could not prevent every illness or guarantee every medical outcome, the DLP argued that financial hardship should not become an additional barrier to treatment.
It called for consultations with medical professionals, patient advocates, charitable organisations and affected families on establishing the proposed fund.
“We cannot bring him back, but we can ensure that his passing becomes a catalyst for meaningful change,” Dujon said.
“When a child is fighting for life, the State must be fighting alongside that child and that family.”
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. It develops when immature myeloid cells build up in the bone marrow and blood, crowding out healthy cells and potentially causing fatigue, infections, bruising or bleeding.
Although more common in adults, AML can affect children and usually requires prompt specialist treatment, which may include chemotherapy and, in some cases, a stem-cell or bone marrow transplant.
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