IN 2022, Aden Persaud of Blairmont, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour, and needed help to access specialised treatment which was not available in Guyana.

The Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) organisation stepped in to mobilise support for Persaud.
Early this month, SHEA, via a Facebook post, said that the child had an endocrinology follow-up in Trinidad, and will now have access to vital growth hormone medication. He will continue to have biannual follow-up appointments in Trinidad until he could have these services locally in Guyana.

Prior to this, Persaud spent six months in Boston, United States of America (USA) to treat the rare brain tumor. He then returned home to Guyana with a new lease on life; however, he still needs hormone replacement therapy as part of his continued recovery.
During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle in January 2022, the child’s mother, Alicia Persaud, said that Aden was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, a rare type of tumor near the pituitary gland, after experiencing persistent headaches and vomiting.

According to the National Cancer Institute, craniopharyngiomas are usually part solid, part fluid-filled cysts, which are usually benign and not cancerous, as they do not spread to other parts of the brain, nor to other parts of the body.
“However, they may grow and press on nearby parts of the brain or other areas, including the pituitary gland, the optic chiasm, optic nerves, and fluid-filled spaces in the brain. Craniopharyngiomas may affect many functions of the brain, such as the hormone-making process, growth, and vision,” the institute said.

Prior to developing this condition, Alicia said her son was very active and jovial, and would often spend a lot of his free time playing cricket. The organisation continues to wish Persaud a good health, long life, and much success in his future career as the best cricketer out of Guyana.