Last night we introduced you to Tarrell Sutherland, the 4 year old born with a rare and painful skin disorder known as bullous congenital icthioysis eritthroderma. He touched our hearts here at 7News and it seems he has done the same for the entire nation. Last night the family appealed for help to get Tarrell the help he needs to fly to Louisiana to receive medical attention. Since then, there has been outpouring of love and support and today one businessman came through big time. Keith Swift has the update.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Today we met Tarrell at the Shon Saan Palace. He was having lunch and was too busy with his fry chicken to talk. His mother Nicole McDougal was there to pick up a check from businessman Lee Mark Chang.
Lee Mark Chang, Businessman
“The story that you ran last night I saw it and I discussed it with my parents and my girlfriend and I said you know, we have to give a hand to this child right here. So we called and asked them what type of assistance they
need and the most important thing is to get to the location so we offered two tickets for them to travel.”
Keith Swift,
“When you saw the story what was your reaction?”
Lee Mark Chang,
“It is very touching to see the child in so much pain and we are fortunate and so we try to give back to the needy. Roughly I was told the tickets would cost around nine hundred dollars each so we made a check out to American Airlines for $1,800 give and take we will see if that will be enough.”
And its not just Lee Mark, Nicole says the outpouring of support has been tremendous.
Nicole McDougal, Mother
“We’ve had a tremendous support from our Belizean people and people are still calling to help which in some of the don’t have the money right away but they promise as soon as they get money they will deposit it in the account for him. But I have to be grateful that people do want to help him and even though things are hard people still are going all out to give us that support.”
Keith Swift,
“Did you expect this reaction?”
Nicole McDougal,
“Well I know from time that Belizeans really go all out to assist but I think with him it really blows their mind and I would say that it was perfect.”
And while that’s perfect as you probably can tell by the way he was devouring the fry chicken, Tarrell is doing better.
Nicole McDougal,
“After all the interviews with the different medias and thing he went home and he put off a four hour sleep. He got all the rest, I didn’t get no rest because up to 12 o’clock last night I still was getting calls. But he put off a sleep yesterday and last night he put off a sleep and when he woke this morning he was much better. Only his feet, well the feet hurts him a little bit but he is doing well today.”
You can make contributions to the family at Atlantic Bank account number 211057247 or you can contact his mother Nicole McDougal at 668-8604.
