A 56-year-old Antiguan national, Lisa Kentish-Francis, is battling Stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma thousands of miles from home in Colombia, and her family has turned to the global public for critical financial support to cover the life-saving treatment she urgently needs.
After an initial stem cell transplant failed to stop the cancer’s progression, Kentish-Francis is now gearing up for a second, specialized transplant procedure that medical professionals say represents her best shot at long-term recovery. However, this second chance at life comes with a staggering price tag that her family cannot cover independently.
According to family statements shared with Antigua Newsroom, Lisa’s existing medical insurance only covers a fraction of the total procedure costs. The hospital bill for the second transplant alone is estimated at $96,000, leaving a major gap in the funds required to move forward with the care. To close this financial shortfall, the family launched a public fundraising campaign on the GoFundMe platform, setting a public target of $60,000 to cover the remaining treatment expenses.
On the campaign page, Kentish-Francis’ family remembered her as a warm, generous, and compassionate woman who has spent her life lifting up those around her. A devoted mother, she has had the constant support of her son Devontae, who has stayed by her side through every step of her long cancer journey.
“As of this past Sunday, the campaign had drawn contributions from roughly 60 supporters, bringing the total raised to just over $10,000. The family confirmed that every dollar donated will go directly toward covering Lisa’s transplant costs and associated medical care, with no funds diverted to other expenses.
For community members who are unable to contribute financially, the family is asking for support in two other key ways: sharing the fundraiser across social networks to expand its reach, and keeping Lisa in their thoughts and prayers as she fights this aggressive form of cancer.