A week after being flown to the Jackson Memorial Hospital in the United States of America to receive specialised care and life-saving surgery, the family of renowned public relations and business communicator Ealane Livingston-Smith received the devastating news that the procedure could not be done and there was nothing more that could be done for her.

Livingston-Smith, who was ailing from craniopharyngioma — a rare, benign (non-cancerous) brain tumour of the central nervous system – died four weeks later on Monday, July 29.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit multi-specialty academic medical centre that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education, craniopharyngioma develops near the pituitary gland. It is a slow-growing tumour that can affect the cranial nerves which are responsible for vision, and the endocrine system, which is responsible for the hormonal function of the body.

Naila Smith, Livingston-Smith’s daughter, who has been at the forefront of the drive to save her mother’s life, was understandably crushed, having seen a sliver of hope of survival that brain surgery could possibly bring.“We had had so much hope coming to Jackson Memorial Hospital that we didn’t really expect that this was going to be the outcome,” she told the Jamaica Observer, noting that the entire eight-month journey to save her mother was difficult and emotionally taxing.

Naila noted that her mother started exhibiting symptoms of the tumour including memory lapses and poor coordination in mid-December 2023. She was first diagnosed with this tumour and in 2004 had a craniotomy — an operation that may be done to remove a brain tumour or a sample of brain tissue.

“We took her to the hospital twice in December where she was treated but the treatment did not fully resolve her symptoms. She was referred to do another gamma-knife surgery in January [she had had two of these previously in 2008 and 2018]. This surgery was scheduled for late May then got pushed to early June. Her condition deteriorated over that time. She was hospitalised at the University Hospital of the West Indies around mid-May. As her surgical date in June grew closer, she was referred by Dr Wolf, who was the doctor who did her first two gamma-knife surgeries and was scheduled to do her third. He referred us to a skull base centre. Soon after her case was accepted by the centre at Jackson Memorial Hospital,” she said.

On Monday, July 1, the same day the Observer published the story highlighting Livingston-Smith’s plight, she was airlifted from the UHWI to the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where the hope was that she would undergo specialised neurosurgery called a base skull surgery.

This was made possible after the family scraped together personal funds through loans taken out by three members. There was also a rush of donations to a GoFundMe account set up by Livingston-Smith’s children – Naila and Ikem Smith.

However, the call for help to save Livingston-Smith’s life quickly turned to seeking help for palliative care.

Naila said her mother spent a total of 29 days at Jackson Memorial, and a total of two weeks on the palliative care floor.

“As a family, this is not the outcome we wanted but we are comforted because she lived a good life, and was loved by many,” she said in a comment on the GoFundMe account, after sharing the news of her mother’s passing.

This sentiment was evidenced by the outpouring of love from Ealane’s close friends and coworkers.

Close friend Rosie McLeggon Hinds, who shared a 36-year friendship with Livingston-Smith, said they were looking forward to planning a girls’ day out when she got sick. “It never happened…it’s just too much right now,” she said.

Charmaine McKenzie, another good friend, said she was a kind, gentle person. “Her passing has indeed left a void in my life and in the lives of my daughters,” she said.

Retired director of marketing, recruitment and communication at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Dr Caroll Edwards, who worked with Livingston Smith when she was assistant public relations officer in the then Public Relations Office at the university, said she was devastated to hear of her passing.

Dr Edwards described Livingston-Smith as “a decent, friendly and warm-spirited individual, with a strong Christian faith which guided all her interactions”.

In the meantime, the family is now in the process of planning the return of Livingston-Smith’s remains back to Jamaica. Her life is to be celebrated with a memorial service to be held in Jamaica at a later date.

Naila said the family is, meanwhile, continuing to raise funds to pay off her mother’s medical bills. Those who would like to give can log on to:
https://gofund.me/a3ab9c0f; lodge to her Scotiabank Account:

NAME – Ealane Livingston-Smith

ACCOUNT # – 298611

TYPE – Chequeing

BRANCH – Half-Way-Tree

BRANCH # – 60145

People can also send money to Naila Smith directly via Zelle, CashApp, Venmo using the number 917-803-1807 or via PayPal using nailasmith@gmail.com.

She did not disclose the amount needed to pay off the medical expenses.

A UWI graduate, Livingston-Smith was known for her expertise in conceptualising, developing and managing public relations marketing and community development programmes for clients from the public, private and non-governmental sectors.