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JVD resident in urgent need of $$ for lifesaving brain surgery

- GoFundMe started for Geri Chinnery
Geri Chinnery (right) of Jost van Dyke is in urgent need of brain surgery but needs to come up with $70,000 for the lifesaving operation in the United States. Photo: Provided.
In happier times! Mr Geri Chinnery (2nd from left) with friends. Photo: Provided
In happier times! Mr Geri Chinnery (2nd from left) with friends. Photo: Provided
Mr Geri Chinnery is a patient at Peebles Hospital but is unable to receive immediate and appropriate medical attention because Peebles Hospital does not have a neurological unit. Photo: Provided
Mr Geri Chinnery is a patient at Peebles Hospital but is unable to receive immediate and appropriate medical attention because Peebles Hospital does not have a neurological unit. Photo: Provided
JOST van DYKE, VI- Family and friends are pleading for financial assistance for Mr Geri Chinnery, a 54 year old male resident of Jost van Dyke who is in urgent need of brain surgery.

On Wednesday March 8, 2017 about 2:00 PM, Geri Chinnery, who is originally from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI) but has resided in the VI for many years, was found unconscious around the area of Peebles Hospital after being discharged a few hours earlier.

Later, he was said to have suffered from an embolism (blood clot in the brain) that consequently led to a hemorrhagic stroke. A CT scan revealed bleeding in the third and fourth ventricles. Mr Chinnery’s medical condition requires urgent lifesaving surgery, which involves drilling a hole in the cerebral ventricle for drainage.

According to Renee O. Singh, a close friend of Mr Chinnery, he suffered two mini strokes prior to arriving at Peebles Hospital. He is presently in the Intensive Care Unit at Peebles Hospital fighting for his life.

Mr Chinnery is unable to receive immediate medical attention because Peebles Hospital does not have a neurological unit. According to Ms Singh, Mr Chinnery sought medical assistance in the USA but he was denied that right because he resides outside the US borders. Ms Singh further stated that no American hospital is willing to receive him without advance payment in the amount of $70,000 USD.

GoFundMe started

Matthew Sieger, friend of Mr Chinnery for over 16 years, who resides in the USA, immediately came to Mr Chinnery’s assistance as soon as he got the devastating news. Mr Sieger started a GoFundMe webpage to raise funds to assist Mr Chinnery with his medical and transfer expenses. According to Mr Sieger, “without proper medical attention, Geri’s condition could be fatal.”

Mr Sieger noted that Geri Chinnery is a kind, compassionate, selfless man. “He is a bright light in his community, a source of wisdom, support and guidance to both young and old and he is loved by all who know him.”

Mr Sieger strongly believes that “Geri is not doomed yet- he is still viable. Money is the only barrier between Geri and a full recovery.”

If you wish to save a life that matters, please urgently donate by going to the link below https://www.gofundme.com/savegeri

27 Responses to “JVD resident in urgent need of $$ for lifesaving brain surgery”

  • Get Well Wishes (16/03/2017, 08:25) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope he receives whatever is needed for recovery. Surprised that as a US born citizen he is unable to access the medical care he needs. Cuba perhaps,?
    • the rock (16/03/2017, 14:22) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      People this man is a real kind hearted man, taught a lot of youths to play basketball on JVD, if you guys knew him that $70,000 would be raised easy, anyone who is organizing the funds please leave a number so I can call you, Gery, I place you before God and ask if its his will, for a complete healing now, amen!
  • NHI (16/03/2017, 09:13) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    IS he paying NHI. Because they can send him to Colombia. They are amazing down there
    • @NHI (16/03/2017, 09:50) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      yeah, they can send him Colombia, but it comes with a price tag and not 100% funded by NHI. Someone has to accompany him and NHI don't pay for hotel and other expenses.
    • Lidy (16/03/2017, 10:28) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
      Obviously he is not paying NHI. People will now understand why the Government was forced to resort to implementing the NHI programme. Someone mentioned "Cuba perhaps", but do they perform medical procedures for free down there? Why would you be surprised that he is unable to "access the medical care he needs" in the US. No where gives free medical services buddy, someone has to pay for it. If he does not have medicade or involved in some type of medicall assistance programme, they will certainly not bother with him. Do you see how many mentally ill people are on the streets of America. If there were free medical help, that would not be the case. Only in the BVI people expect this!!!
      • Get WellWishes (16/03/2017, 15:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        You have my attention. NHi would have been his go to. Thank you NDP. Trump is wanting to obliterate Obama Care while we here crucifying NDP for looking out for everybody. Can,t imagine being sick and having to be stressed and worried about unaffordability handing me over to the grim reaper. Makes me shed a tear ,it is downright immoral.Hmm hmmm!!!
      • yes (16/03/2017, 17:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        All peoples of Cuba are recipients of free health care and health care tgere
    • nope (16/03/2017, 21:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      No he's not covered. Wouldnt signed up
  • Scary Mary (16/03/2017, 10:05) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    If he has NHI, I can't understand why our medical system isn't flying him out somewhere for proper treatment. Wasn't the whole point of imposing NHI on all of us so that EVERYONE would receive proper medical treatment?

    What's going on here? Can someone please explain?
    • An answer (16/03/2017, 14:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      NHI does not pay for everything and then you have the copay. I understand that you have to pay your copay before leaving the Territory. Not sure how that works with an emergency. This is why we were encouraged to get additional insurance but does the pocket allow this?
    • Observer (16/03/2017, 19:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Where is or government this our people that we should be taking care of instead of throwing away money to foreign airlines company come on help the helpless for God sake at least try. I know Jerry and if I had the money I would have paid for him this is a life .
  • it's their fault (16/03/2017, 10:41) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    why did the hospital discharged him in the first place?
  • Lidy (16/03/2017, 10:43) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Scary Mary, not everyone is paying NHI buddy. Lots of self-employed people think it is not necessary, so they do not participate because they are children of the Government and expect that when they become ill their parent is responsible.
    • @Lidy (16/03/2017, 22:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Meh question is.. you did sign up for NHI, you do not have employment, how do you still pay into the system monthly? Where do you get the money? Because they are still refusing service because you dont have a job and not paying? They certainly did not make it clear that you have to pay even ifyou are not employed. What they did say is no one will be turned away regardless of health status sheathed before NHI or after.
  • not young smith the other one (16/03/2017, 10:46) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Where is the politician who was paying for votes in the second district?
  • Fly (16/03/2017, 10:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fly him out, since we dont have the service here
  • Fly (16/03/2017, 10:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fly him out, since we dont have the service here
  • Hmm (16/03/2017, 10:54) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Now you know the whole truth about NHI
  • vi (16/03/2017, 11:30) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    He looks quite aged for 54. Maybe someone got his age wrong
    • IGNORANT (16/03/2017, 12:51) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      @VI I hope they have your age correct when something go down with you. Sickness is a boss, and a 20 year old can look like 60 in a twink of an eye. Why does it matter to you anyway?
  • Ocho (16/03/2017, 13:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who really went to the hospital, took a photo of the patient and publish it on the new sight. That is strange indeed!
  • Hmmmm (16/03/2017, 13:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope he gets the helps he needs
  • Curious (16/03/2017, 14:40) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Funny I witnessed this man being discharged the same day, complaining that he still was not feeling good. He was moving sluggish at the counter. As I finished seeing the doctor myself, I went outside only to see the ambulance personnel putting him on a stretcher. SMH All the man did was walk out of the hospital and collapse. Imagine imposing NHI so we have better health care. Why discharge a man when he still complaining of not feeling good? U see that ER!!! They made the man stand there, wait and then pay and as he left he fall down. Better Health Care yuh say! Stupidity I say! I had better health care coverage with Nagico.
  • Info (16/03/2017, 20:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Has there been an appeal to the USVI? Noting that is where he originated,the Chinnery's ,when I was growing up,was a prominent family in St Thomas. It,s possible that some assistance could come from there...Hoping for the best.
  • parma (20/03/2017, 15:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    No cardiac unit for stenting and no neurological unit. $100 co-pay to see a doctor about a sprained wrist. What kind of medical service is this?


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