A 19-year-old Barbadian woman, Noi Jemmott, is now in Bogotá, Colombia, entering what medical professionals call the most high-stakes phase of her fight against an aggressive, fast-growing blood cancer. Jemmott received a diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a rapidly progressing cancer that impacts bone marrow and blood cell production, and began urgent, intensive chemotherapy earlier this week, according to her father Janson Jemmott. In an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY Thursday, Janson, a Barbadian barber, shared that the coming 30 days of treatment will be a pivotal turning point for his daughter’s chance of full remission.
Over the first few days of her arrival in Colombia, clinical teams completed a battery of confirmatory tests to verify the initial diagnosis, map the spread of the cancer, and refine a targeted treatment plan tailored to Noi’s specific case. “The first couple of days they were running tests to make sure that the diagnosis was correct, and to find the best course of action to deal with the diagnosis,” Janson explained. “As of [Wednesday], they have started treatment – she has started chemo – and that will run for the first month. It’s gonna be the most intense month.”
As part of the first phase of care, Noi is scheduled to undergo two routine procedures this week: a minor surgery to place a central venous catheter in her chest to simplify consistent chemotherapy administration, and a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to test whether cancer cells have spread to her central nervous system. Despite the gravity of her diagnosis and the grueling treatment schedule ahead, Janson said his daughter has maintained an extraordinary level of resilience and positive spirit.
“I video called her earlier this morning and she was smiling,” Janson shared. “I tell her keep your smile. So that is comforting – very comforting – when I call her and I can see that she is still who she is. She is a very beautiful girl, very sweet girl.”
Janson admitted that the journey has been emotionally devastating for the entire family, but the overwhelming wave of support from strangers and loved ones across Barbados has softened the blow and given them strength to keep fighting. Donations to cover Noi’s costly overseas treatment have poured in from across the island, ranging from small $5 contributions to larger gifts, and Janson says each donation carries a meaning that goes far beyond its monetary value.
“Each time I get a call from some person, it’s extremely emotional for me,” he said. “You live in a world where there’s so much negative stuff going on, but when something like this happens, you can see the positive feedback from people. The people that donated $5 – that might have been that person’s last $5 – but they still donated. To feel the love from people that I don’t even know, it’s very overwhelming. In this day where so much negatives are going on, people need something positive to hold on to.”
Janson also opened up about the emotional toll the diagnosis has taken on Noi, revealing that she recently broke down in tears for the first time since learning she had cancer – a moment that he says drove home how difficult this fight is for her. Even so, he added, her strength has never wavered for long. “She has been very strong,” he said. “I really admire her.”
In the coming days, Janson will travel to Colombia to be by his daughter’s side ahead of the most intensive weeks of chemotherapy, a treatment that nearly always causes full hair loss. He plans to personally cut Noi’s hair before treatment begins, a small act of love and support to help her prepare for what’s ahead.
For Janson, every donation and message of support is more than just financial help to cover medical bills and travel costs. “Each donation I see as hope – not as dollars,” he said. “I know it’s going on account as dollars, but I see hope. I just want to thank everyone that has supported so far. Each call is very emotional. It has made me feel like, yes, there’s still hope.”
Janson is optimistic that Noi will respond well to treatment, and is holding onto hope that she will be able to return home to Barbados to resume her normal life within six months. If complications arise, the treatment and recovery process could extend to almost a year, but Janson says the family is preparing for whatever comes and remains committed to fighting alongside Noi. “Best case scenario, I’m hoping that in six months, my daughter should be back in Barbados,” he said. “Worst-case scenario, we could have this fight going on for almost one year. But I’m hoping that’s not the case. I want my daughter back… I miss her.”
Community members who wish to support Noi’s treatment can contribute via three channels: a dedicated GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-noi-jemmott-fly-to-colombia-for-lifesaving-treatment, a CIBC bank account numbered 1001282704, or through First Pay to the registered email cathyallman@gmail.com.