Former People’s National Movement Member of Parliament for Laventille West, NiLeung Hypolite has made a public appeal for help after recently being diagnosed with Acute Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL), a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Hypolite said that due to the sudden diagnosis, he is unable to get the funds needed to get the treatment he needs, which cannot be done here in the Caribbean.
He requires bone marrow transplant.
The appeal was issued on a funding website called FundmeTnT on June 4, with a goal of $700,000. Just before 3pm Monday, the contributions were at two per cent, amounting to $16,139.
The following is the plea listed on the site:
“Greetings & blessings, this is NiLeung Hypolite. I live at Mt. Hope, Trinidad & Tobago. Many people may know me for wearing different hats when it comes to giving service. I have recently been diagnosed with Acute Adult T-cell Leukemia/ Lymphoma (ATL).
My doctors have advised that this is a very rare and aggressive type of cancer which unfortunately, cannot be treated in the Caribbean. Both him and his team have suggested going to Miami for much needed urgent treatment.
My course of treatment is that of a Bone marrow transplant (BMT) which is the only permanent cure to save one’s life. This is a sudden diagnosis and finance can be a huge challenge.
I really need your support in beating this dreaded disease.
I am asking kindly, please make this possible by making a donation as follows. If you have Linx or a debit card, please donate to the account below:
NiLeung Hypolite
JMMB – Tunapuna
Savings – 007 700 015 767
Contact – 468-2257
Thanking you for your support.
We are aware that some persons are experiencing difficulty using the link. If you are facing this issue, please call the phone number listed above.”
Hypolite was elected MP for Laventille West in 2007 and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works & Transport.
He was reelected in the 2010 snap-election, which the PNM lost, but was replaced by Fitzgerald Hinds as the PNM's candidate in the 2015 general election.