MONTEGO BAY, St James – Shanda Wallace’s passion for philanthropy has seen her helping others in need through service clubs and church.

Now, she is the one needing assistance as a brain tumour is threatening her chance of living a normal life.

Wallace’s mother Jacqueline Coke told the Jamaica Observer West that the 28-year-old began experiencing “strange symptoms” in October. She said that this was a frightening experience as Wallace was two weeks into her new job as a payroll clerk at a St James-based private hospital.

“About two months ago, we noticed that she wasn’t walking properly. She was [also] experiencing dizziness, but we thought she just had a low blood count. She wasn’t feeling well and we went to the hospital,” Coke said.

Explaining that her daughter fainted while at the hospital, Coke noted that doctors suggested a CT scan be done as Wallace’s blood tests did not determine the cause of her sudden illness.

Coke told the Observer West that this was when they learned that Wallace has “a mass on her brain”. She said that a neurosurgeon employed at the Cornwall Regional Hospital explained that this large petrotentorial meningioma has been causing severe compression on her daughter’s brain stem.

This complex brain tumour requires immediate attention, she said, the neurosurgeon pointed out. However, the family needs the financial backing of Good Samaritans to make this become a reality as Wallace’s insurance does not cover that type of procedure.

“He told me that Jamaica does not have all the resources for this type of tumour and he is going to refer me to a doctor in Florida. The tumour is on the right side of her brain somewhere behind the ear. It is the size of a small orange,” Coke said.

“We had a virtual [consultation] with the doctor. The total cost for the surgery is US$80,000 and it can be a little more depending on how long she stays in the hospital. That was when we decided to do the GoFundMe,” the mother added.

The family has received over US$36,000 in donations through the crowdfunding website in aid of the surgery. Coke further noted that others have generously donated through other mediums.

Coke’s dream is to see her daughter return to her “vibrant” personality. She said that Wallace’s illness is currently affecting her ability to walk around without assistance.

Before becoming ill, Wallace was an active member of the Mount Salem Open Bible Church in Montego Bay and is the director of community service for the Rotaract Club of Montego Bay.

“She was very vibrant and active. She was full of life and took part in everything at church. She has always been a very active person. She has always been volunteering with different [organisations] since she was in school,” she told the Observer West.

“Now she is constantly losing her balance and it has affected her speech, so she doesn’t talk much. I want her to have a normal life again and I know that God is going to pull her through this.”

Desperate to have the emergency surgery carried out soon, Coke stated that she and her daughter have recently journeyed to Florida. The family is far from reaching their target of US $80,000.

“We want to set up a payment plan because we don’t have all the money, but we have to get it done. We don’t want it to get worse,” she said.

Expressing gratitude to all who have assisted with monetary donations so far, Coke is hoping that more Good Samaritans will jump on board to ensure that Wallace can have this complex brain tumour removed.

Anybody wanting to assist can do so through the family’s GoFundMe account at https://www.gofundme.com/f/shanda-brain-surgery.