Posted: June 20, 2016. 6:14 p.m. CST.
By Aaron Humes: 12-year-old Cleon Marage Jr of Belize City has spent the last few years battling acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a type of cancer in which there is a rapid growth of abnormal white 
blood cells in the bone marrow. These end up interfering with the production of normal blood cells.
The disease re-occurred after being beaten back a few months ago but is now back in remission; however Cleon requires chemotherapy every month in Merida.
According to his mother, Clovis Matura, they are trying to get him a bone marrow transplant to completely beat the disease, which will be a significant cost for her family. They have therefore decided to raise funds through a raffle.
If done in Mexico, the family must shell out 100 thousand Belize dollars; the actual medical surgery in Cuba would be free, but about 20 thousand would be needed for expenses including housing and flying to the island.
Prizes for the raffle include a cell phone, stove, cash, round trip tickets to Caye Caulker and San Pedro and a gift certificate from Celebrity Restaurant. Tickets are ten dollars each.
The raffle takes place on July 16th at a venue to be announced.
The family has other fundraisers planned but is for now concentrating on the money for the transplant.
Clovis Matura can be reached to get tickets for the raffle at 665 0190; you can also contact her sister-in-law Laverne Matura at 661 2791.
The family has also set up a Facebook page, “Help Cleon Marage Fight Leukemia.”
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