Little Savannah still needs help to beat cancer

The large swelling over nine-year-old Savannah Bennett's left eye has shrunken, a small sign of progress in her fight against cancer.

But her mother, Stacy Bennett, said the family is still in crisis and urgently needs help to continue treatment. Savannah was diagnosed with stage three rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer affecting soft tissue. Her story was first carried in THE WEEKEND STAR last June. She remains in and out of the University Hospital of the West Indies, where she has been since January 2024, as she undergoes chemotherapy. Her mother said that the road ahead remains difficult.

"They said they're trying to shrink the swelling around her eye and yes, it's gone down, thank God," Stacy told THE WEEKEND STAR. "But she still has to do more chemo, and the medication is so expensive. I just can't manage on my own." Bennett said her daughter's treatment and hospital stays are financially draining, and the family has fallen on hard times. She said she's grateful for those who have stepped in to help, especially when she herself can't be present.

"People help me go look for her, bring her snacks, even sit with her when I can't go. I don't know how to thank them enough," she said, her voice breaking. "But I'm really down to nothing right now. I've asked for a lot already, but I still need some assistance." The mother of two said she hasn't been able to visit her older daughter in two weeks because she's both physically and emotionally worn out, battling depression, and trying to care for her six-year-old daughter at home.

"Honestly, I'm not feeling well myself. I'm under a lot of depression, and I don't have family support like that. There are few people who help me, and do what they can. Every cent I get goes into medication, and I still can't keep up," she said.

"The last set of chemo she had, I barely found the money. And she still has more to do. I owe over $200,000, and I don't know how I'm going to pay that. Everything is just a mess. I'm in a real sweat right now," she added.

While Savannah is sometimes allowed to go home briefly between treatments, the cost of transporting her and the associated medical care are often too much for the mother.

"Every time she comes out, I have to pay $40,000. Last time I just couldn't manage it again. So even though she wants to come home, I can't afford it. That really rest pon mi mind," Bennett shared.

She said that Savannah often asks for snacks and juice, which are simple comforts, but even those are sometimes out of reach.

"We have to eat too, and with the little I have, I have to choose between food and medicine. It's really rough. Sometimes I cry because I don't know what else to do," said Bennett. Still, she is trying to stay strong for both her daughters.

"My little one at home misses her sister so much. When Savannah comes home, she's so happy. But I have to tell her we can't keep her here because it costs too much. That break me as a mother." Now, she's hoping the public can step in once again to help Savannah continue her fight.

"Any support, no matter how small, would mean everything to us. Savannah's life depends on it," she pleaded.

Anyone willing to assist Savannah Bennett, may call 876-434-0842.