Rich Township employee stranded in Jamaica without life-saving medication after Hurricane Melissa
Cook County leaders ask federal government for help
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Cook County leaders are pleading with the federal government Thursday to hopefully help one of their own who is stuck in Jamaica without life-saving medication.
Trinette Britt-Johnson is chief of staff to Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
In 2024, Britt-Johnson was the recipient of a successful kidney transplant after being diagnosed with a rare kidney disease years earlier.
Officials say Britt-Johnson's trip to Jamaica a week ago for vacation was the first time she was allowed to really travel due to doctor's orders.
Britt-Johnson is currently stuck in Montego Bay after Hurricane Melissa hit, and is without critical medicine that supports kidney function.
Officials say, without her medication, her body will reject her donated kidney.
SEE ALSO: Chicagoans stranded as Cat. 5 Hurricane Melissa brings floods, catastrophic winds to Jamaica
Dr. Kisha McCaskill, 5th District Cook County commissioner, joined other leaders and medical experts in the Loop Thursday morning to call on the federal government to step in right now to help Britt-Johnson.
"I am personally appealing to President Trump. I don't know what can be done or how it can be done, but we need you to get involved," McCaskill said.
"Time is our enemy. We must step up and do all that can be done to get her the medication, which has not been made available on the island of Jamaica," said Jack Lynch, a former administrator with Gift of Hope.
Medical experts at the news conference say Jamaican hospitals rarely perform these types of transplants, making it difficult for patients like Britt-Johnson to access the medication she needs.
Officials say she's been to three Jamaican hospitals already to find the medication to no avail.
Officials say the State Department is aware of the situation.
Officials say Britt-Johnson's been without medication now for more than 24 hours; so, time is of the essence.
