Teen looses fight with bone cancer weeks before birthday

After two years of fighting stage two osteosarcoma, 18-year-old Rihanna Golding lost her battle on Thursday afternoon at Cornwall Regional Hospital.

Golding, who would have celebrated her 19th birthday on September 29, died at 1:00 p.m., surrounded by loved ones.

When The STAR contacted Golding's mother, Bernadette McCook, she said the family has been traumatized.

"I hugged her up and said, 'Mama, why?'" McCook recalled tearfully. "I know she was in a lot of pain, but me really going to miss her because she was my only daughter."

McCook said she fell to her knees when she saw the hospital staff cover her child's body. "When I saw them put the sheet over her, I knew she was gone."

Golding had spent much of her final months in and out of hospital as she battled unbearable pain and constant vomiting.

The Bogue Hill Baptist Church had planned a fundraising walk for Sunday, September 14, to help cover her mounting medical expenses, but McCook said it will now be repurposed to raise funds for her daughter's burial. The event begins at 5:30 p.m., with an entry fee of $1,000.

Golding's fight began in 2023 when she noticed a swelling on her right knee that grew so large she could no longer walk without support. Doctors diagnosed her with osteosarcoma, and she later underwent a leg amputation at Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny.

In August last year, shortly after the surgery, she discovered a lump near her groin. The cancer returned aggressively, eventually progressing to stage four and spreading to her brain and lungs.

A family friend, Cristania Gordon said she is devastated.

"I remember the last conversation we had," Gordon shared. "Despite her illness, I kept motivating her. I told her she could still become a chef, go back to school, or just enjoy life."

- Ashley Anguin

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.