Help Ismail Fight Cancer

Dear family, friends, and respective community;


I write this today as Maymuna Hassan on behalf of my husband of 35 years, Ismail Hassan.


My husband Ismail Hassan is a loving father of 5 children and a devoted husband. He is known to the community as a compassionate influential leader, who is recognized for being an incredible teacher, adviser, and mentor.


After a visit to the dentist for what was assumed to be a toothache in 2015, my husband was diagnosed with cancer - and our family has never been the same.


It spread from his gums all the way through his right jaw. He was immediately offered surgery which required removal of his teeth, a neck dissection, lymph node removal and transfer, including the removal and reconstruction of his jaw with bone taken from his leg.


The surgery was successful with no complications, but the road to recovery was long and hard. My husband had a nasal feed, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking and could not speak. Fortunately because my husband was someone in good health before all this, he was able to recuperate at home after spending a month in the hospital and slowly regained some of his independence.  


Unfortunately, the cancer wasn’t done with him. At the end of 2016 he was re-diagnosed and the cancer returned to the same area. We prayed once more and prepared ourselves for surgery.  He had another reconstruction, this time using a part of his femur from his other leg for a further reconstructive surgery in his jaw. Although there was a slight complication, and a 22 hour surgery,  the surgery was a success and we went down the long road of recovery once more. Anyone whose loved one is battling cancer is more than aware that it takes a strong toll on the family and leaves the mark of emotional pain and severe anxiety.


Unfortunately, in August 2017 he was re-diagnosed again for the third time with another local recurrence. This time surgery was not an option so we got ready for radiation treatment. This was done back to back one month apart and the impact on his quality of life was so poor nothing could prepare us. I could hardly recognize my husband after the radiation. My husband Ismail had no saliva production, difficulty eating, was unable to talk and was suffering from absolute discomfort and fatigue.


Currently, we have been informed this is an aggressive local tumor. Our biggest fear now is that the tumor will spread down to his lungs. I love my husband and I am his main caretaker, everyday I wake up with prayers and hope for the best. I want to be able to see my best friend by my side laughing with me and for us to grow old together, something I fear, cancer has stolen from me.


After 2 failed operations, we decided we need to look elsewhere and began research on naturopathic cancer treatment options.


After much research and consultation, we came across CHIPSA hospital, located in Arizona and New Mexico. The treatment offered here has restored hope in us that we may be able to beat cancer.


The astronomical cost needed for this treatment is $120,000.


Because of the amount needed for treatment, we soon realized that for this to become a reality we would need help from the community. The money raised here will go directly to my husband’s account to pay for his cancer treatment.


This is his last chance, after 2 failed operations and a returning aggressive cancer we have run out of options and choices.


We are willing to give it one last shot and I hope all that read this can be apart of saving my husband’s life.