local doctors found his heart was not receiving enough blood and oxygen.

Gerneko Williams of Spring Benny Lane, Sandys, was taken in an incubator to the Canadian city's Hospital for Sick Children where he will undergo heart surgery within the next two days.

His mother, Ms Dawnette Williams, said doctors said her son's arteries were too small to allow sufficient air and blood to pass to the heart.

"When he was born, the doctors told me he had a heart murmur,'' she said.

"Last Wednesday, I took him in for a eco-test -- similar to an X-ray of his heart -- and the doctor said he had two holes. He said Gerneko's arteries were too small to allow blood and air to pass through and he would have to go to Toronto for surgery.'' Ms Williams said Gerneko's paediatrician, Dr. George Shaw, said the holes might close up on their own as her son got older, but that an operation would have to be done immediately to rectify his artery problem.

The 23-year-old said she was very surprised, especially since her son was quite active, always laughing and singing.

"The holes had to have been there from birth although they were never pointed out to me (by doctors),'' she said. "I know his hands and feet were always cold. My mother always baby sat him and she said she noticed he was turning purple.

"The doctors said he was too dark, but I just figured it was his natural colour because he always acted as if nothing was wrong.'' "It was a real shock. I'm diabetic, but my first child is as healthy as ever.

I never suspected a thing.

"Everybody tells me I look calm but that's only on the outside,'' she said.

Ms Williams declined to say how much the operation would cost, describing it only as "expensive''.

"I've been told the hospital stay alone will cost $2,000 per day,'' she said.

While insurance will not cover the cost, Ms Williams said she has received assistance from Social Services and Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association (LCCA).

Grandmother Mrs. Astoria Williams said she was told her daughter should be staying there for two weeks but might be required to remain for as many as six.

"Any donations would be appreciated,'' she said. "people can get in contact with me at 234-0235.'' Ms Williams said Dr. June Hill examined Gerneko here and he will be operated on by Dr. Vera Rose once in Toronto.

She said her sister and a girlfriend would be making the trip to Toronto with her.

"During the first two days we're there, they'll be checking him over, doing blood tests and things like that,'' she said. "We're not sure where we're going to stay, but we'll be told once we get there.'' HEART PATIENT -- Two-month old Gerneko Williams is assisted into an ambulance at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital yesterday by driver Mr. Charles Mahon and Gosling Ward nurse Mrs. Glenda Stuart. The son of Ms Dawnette Williams and Mr.

Gerald Brangman was taken in an incubator to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children after it was discovered his arteries were too small to allow sufficient air and blood to pass through.