UPDATE: Shaheem H. A. Richards to be laid to rest on Saturday
Shaheem lost the battle to cancer related conditions at Hema Hospital in Puerto Rico on June 7, 2014.
This news site has confirmed that the public will be welcomed to share the final moments with his parents and other loved ones as a viewing will be held from 11:00 - 12:00 noon and the service will go from 12:00 noon - 1:00 on Saturday at the Upper Room Victory Church, East End, Tortola.
See previous story published on June 9, 2014:
Shaheem Richards succumbs after battle with cancer
- Parents welcome support of residents & praise BVI Cancer Society
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - 16 year old Shaheem H. A. Richards lost a long fought battle with cancer just months after he thought he had passed the worse. He died while being hospitalized in Puerto Rico on Saturday June 7, 2014.
Prior to his most recent hospitalization the Virgin Islander youth had returned singing praises to those who held him and family up in prayer which had seen him returning home after being hospitalized for almost seven months as he battled the condition Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
After undergoing intense medical procedures, treatment and care his final results had shown that he was cancer free.
Speaking with this news site his heartbroken father Mr Henrique A. Richards spoke of the unfortunate situations that led to his son’s death. He recalled that is was approximately one week before the closure of the school during the past term his son went to have one of two final check-ups in St Thomas.
“The doctors recommended that we take him to St Thomas which is closer for those two last check-ups because of course it was closer to home and it would have been less costly,” he said.
It was following the first final check that doctors realized that something was going wrong with the lad’s blood. Contact was immediately made with his doctors in Puerto Rico who had given certain instructions which were followed. It led to him returning the Puerto Rican hospital.
“His blood was very low, they said that something was going wrong with his blood,” said Mr Richards. “And after being there in hospital with test after test, treatment and everything he died yesterday (Saturday).”
The young man’s body is expected to be brought home to the Virgin Islands where he will be interred on a date yet to be decided. His family says that they will continue to welcome any support that they can get at this time. “Help is always needed in a time like this,” said Mr Richards.
He was also very high in praise for the BVI Cancer Society and especially Ms Gloria Fahie. “When Gloria heard that Shaheem had died she got up and headed straight out to Puerto Rico, she and her daughter. She said that she couldn’t leave my wife alone. They went to be her support. We cannot say the length about Gloria; she is a champion and the best support one can get, Gloria has a magical heart,” said Mr Richards. Mrs Scharmla Springette-Richards is the mother of the deceased.
Mrs Richards overwhelmed with emotions wrote on her Facebook page, "With tears in my eyes as I write this post, just want to thank Gloria Fahie and Shakeema Vanterpool of Virgin Islands Cancer Society for coming to stay with me in my time of need cause was over here by myself had no one to comfort me , since the loss of my son Shaheem Richards, he fought his last fight , that's my soldier RIP son forever in my heart , thanks all for the prayers and condolences."
The West Side Konnekshun nonprofit group among others had also showered the Richards family with financial and other support during the time of need.
Read earlier stories at the following links:
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/cancer-free-shaheem-richards-returns-to-vi-
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/update-shaheem-richards-receives-cancer-bill-cheque
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27 Responses to “UPDATE: Shaheem H. A. Richards to be laid to rest on Saturday”
Long Look Me come From.
that everyone have one life to live , and he enjoyed his up until
his demise, he was not afaraid this is one Of Tola's Fallen soldiers.
Brave youth R.I.P. Condolences to his family, friends, and classmates.