"For quite some time, Landia used to feel a little pain in her eye, most of the time itching until it became larger," our medical partner, Project Medishare, tells us about the 11-year-old girl from Haiti.
With the onset of pain, Landia's parents immediately took her to the hospital where a lab test was performed. It was not until a group of doctors from the U.S. arrived, though, that Landia's family was informed that she has a medulloepithelioma tumor of the eye.
Medulloepitheliomas of the eye typically occur within the first decade of one's life. For Landia, she was able to receive surgery to remove the tumor and her eye, and went through six cycles of chemotherapy. "Now she needs radiotherapy to eradicate the cancer for a complete cure," Project Medishare tells us.
$1,500 will cover the cost of transportation, international travel preparation, and the radiation therapy for Landia. Danita's Children has donated $2,500 to help cover additional treatment costs.
As the costs and logistical issues for her family became greater, Landia was sent to live at the local orphanage. After receiving radiation therapy, she will be able to return home to live with her family.
Landia is expected to have a complete cure, and will be able to go back to school. "She will have to learn how to read and study with one eye, but this is doable for a young girl," Project Medishare tells us.