4 year old Tarrell Sutherland is tonight one step closer to receiving the medical care he needs to treat and control his rare skin disorder – icythosis. That is because today Tarrell and his mom Nicole MacDougal crossed a major hurdle when they received their medical visas from the US Embassy. Tarrell along with mom Nicole and American James Pitre – from the Compassionate Hearts Alliance – stopped by our studios this afternoon to tell us this good news and the date when they will fly out.

Nicole MacDougal, Mother of Tarrell
“From long time he told me mom you done have the money so what happened, when we going?”

The answer is Wednesday because today Tarrell and his mother secured their medical visas.

Nicole MacDougal,
“I feel good. Thank God and thanks to the media, thanks to the general public, Mr. Pitre, Dr. Craig, everybody who chipped in at some point.”

Tarrell has an appointment with a dermatologist and cardiologist both in Austin Texas. The arrangements were made by James Pitre – the Founder and President of the Compassionate Hearts Alliance.

James Pitre, President - Compassionate Hearts Alliance
“After I made the appointment with Dr. Moses Levy, a leading dermatologist in Texas and perhaps the foremost leading researcher for icythosis in the United States, when he accepted his case, I finally said I need the cardiologist to follow up with the same agreement that they will take Tarrell’s case. And so when I finally called Dr. Wu in Shreveport, she said well if you are going to Austin Texas, I have a colleague there who can basically do the same test that I can.”

Keith Swift,
“This will be free of cost to the family?”

James Pitre,
“The doctors are donating their services, both the dermatologist and cardiologist. If surgery is necessary then all that is donated. The family will be paying for genetic testing.”

Nicole MacDougal,
“We still do need a lot of assistance to continue, medical and prayers because as he said the testing, they can’t donate the genetic testing.”

Keith Swift,
“Do we know how much the genetic testing will cost?”

James Pitre,
“Maybe up to US$5,000. It is just going to determine, once they see Tarrell, then they will make the determination on what tests to run. That and medications could exceed that, we don’t know yet until we get there. We opened the doors, knocked on them, and they opened them and we basically are here today and going Wednesday.”

And Wednesday couldn’t come sooner. During parts of our interview, Tarrell was visibly uncomfortable because as his mother showed us - the heat was irritating him.

Nicole MacDougal,
“I know that he is suffering and I know that he suffers with pain but really only he knows how he feels.”

Keith Swift,
“Yeah because I can see he was getting uncomfortable.”

Nicole MacDougal,
“The itching and the day really hot so when the day hot, even his clothes is a problem. We don’t really know yet what type of clothes he could wear so we just have to clothe him how we can clothe him until we get there. But once again a heartful of thanks to every everyone.

I anxious and excited to go and see how well he will get and come back which in I still am hoping for that miracle heal, that he will be cured fully but on the other hand I am happy that he is going and on the other hand I still have to worry about the other six kids who are left here.”

So again they leave on Wednesday. James Pitre and Compassionate Hearts Alliance have been working in Belize since 1997 and have secured medical treatment for four children. Again just the genetic testing in Austin Texas will cost up to US$5,000. So Tarrell still needs your help and those interested can deposit funds into Atlantic Bank account number 211057247 or you can contact his mother Nicole McDougal at 668-8604.