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Limb funding for Cuban teenagers
Chances of treatment
in Cuba are said to be limited
BBC,
UK, January 6, 2005.
Two Cuban teenagers who lost limbs to cancer
are set to receive new artificial legs in
Glasgow.
Yamelis, 17, and Ernesto, 18, each had
to have a leg amputated above the knee after
contracting cancer.
But they will now be flying to Scotland
for specialist prosthesis treatment after
fund-raising efforts by Glasgow City Council.
Events organised by council staff have
raised thousands of pounds to treat the
two teenagers.
The pair's journey is the result of a chance
meeting with George Paterson of Glasgow
City Council's International Section of
the Development and Regeneration Service.
'Limited chances'
Mr Paterson was introduced to Yamelis and
Ernesto in the Oncology Centre in Havana,
Cuba.
He met them through Lynda Hare, wife of
the then serving British Ambassador, and
they agreed to try to bring the teenagers
to Glasgow for treatment.
Mr Paterson returned home and his department
began a series of fund-raising events.
He said: "The likelihood of prosthesis
in Cuba is limited.
"The cost of replacement limbs and
accommodation here is expected to be around
£15,000 and so far our volunteers,
Laura McGread, Marion Fergusson, Derek Allan
and Charles Palmer, have raised about £10,000."
A ceilidh and salsa evening raised £2,700
and the union Unison donated £2,600.
Travel firm Go Travel Direct also offered
to fly Yamelis and Ernesto to and from Cuba
for free.
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