In Memory of Elizabeth Aimiuwu
Donation protected
On August 18, 2018, we sadly lost our mother, Dr. Elizabeth Aimiuwu (“Mamma A”), to uterine cancer. It was only 20 days from her diagnosis to her death, giving our family little time to process and accept this devastating loss. She was only 66 years old.
Many of us know all too well that cancer devastates entire families. Our hope is that this fundraiser can help us do our part to alleviate the pain that comes from the separation of loved ones from their families at the hands of cancer. Please read our story to learn about our family's path towards bringing better cancer care to Nigeria, in honour of Mamma A.
Background Info
Mamma A and our father, Dr. Matthew Aimiuwu (whom we sadly lost 10 years ago), were both medical doctors living and working in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Together, they built Aimiuwu Hospital, a facility dedicated to providing quality care to anyone that walked through their doors, many of whom are those less fortunate. Our parents’ passions were providing care specifically in the areas of OBGYN and Fertility, where there is a gap in care and general affordability in Benin City.
With Mamma A’s loss to cancer, we discovered some alarming facts about the disease in Benin City (population: 3.2 Million):
- According to the World Health Organization, 805 out of every 1,000 cancer cases result in death
- Nigeria has the highest death rate from cancer in the world
- Early screening and diagnostics are not generally part of regular health care
Our Plan
As their children (5 biological, 3 adopted), we will keep our parents’ memory alive by keeping the Aimiuwu Hospital running. In their memory, we will continue to focus on care in the OBGYN and Fertility fields; however, in honour of Mamma A, we will also include cancer diagnostics and care (including palliative care) as an additional area of focus moving forward. By doing so, we hope that we can not only continue to support women in their journey to becoming mothers and the delivery of healthy babies, but also in diagnosing cancer at earlier stages in order to improve the chance of survival for those with the illness.
How You Can Help
We’re looking to our friends for help. The hospital needs some basic equipment and supplies in the immediate future in order to improve current operations. Our hope is to raise enough money to get what the Hospital needs right away, and then begin to introduce cancer care capabilities in the near future. Below is a high level breakdown of what your donations will help us purchase.
$3K - $5K: Basic supplies required immediately
- new labour and delivery bed
- new operating table
- baby bassinet
- baby warming bed/incubator
- surgical equipment sterilizer
- new infrared thermometers
- new digital blood pressure monitor
- hand sanitizer dispensers
- new scrubs for all staff
$5K - $10K: Bring cancer care capabilities to the Hospital
- hire a technician to operate Ultrasound equipment
- hire a lab technician to perform advanced blood work
- recruit local or foreign consulting Oncologist to help with cancer care planning
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading our story, and for your donations. However big or small, your financial contribution to our cause is extremely generous and appreciated. Every single dollar we raise will go directly toward the hospital, and will not only help keep our parents’ dream alive, but will also bring meaning to a life cut far too short.
We are eternally grateful for your kindness.
The Aimiuwu Family
P.S. Our family will also be contributing $10k towards the hospital from our own private savings.
Many of us know all too well that cancer devastates entire families. Our hope is that this fundraiser can help us do our part to alleviate the pain that comes from the separation of loved ones from their families at the hands of cancer. Please read our story to learn about our family's path towards bringing better cancer care to Nigeria, in honour of Mamma A.
Background Info
Mamma A and our father, Dr. Matthew Aimiuwu (whom we sadly lost 10 years ago), were both medical doctors living and working in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Together, they built Aimiuwu Hospital, a facility dedicated to providing quality care to anyone that walked through their doors, many of whom are those less fortunate. Our parents’ passions were providing care specifically in the areas of OBGYN and Fertility, where there is a gap in care and general affordability in Benin City.
With Mamma A’s loss to cancer, we discovered some alarming facts about the disease in Benin City (population: 3.2 Million):
- According to the World Health Organization, 805 out of every 1,000 cancer cases result in death
- Nigeria has the highest death rate from cancer in the world
- Early screening and diagnostics are not generally part of regular health care
Our Plan
As their children (5 biological, 3 adopted), we will keep our parents’ memory alive by keeping the Aimiuwu Hospital running. In their memory, we will continue to focus on care in the OBGYN and Fertility fields; however, in honour of Mamma A, we will also include cancer diagnostics and care (including palliative care) as an additional area of focus moving forward. By doing so, we hope that we can not only continue to support women in their journey to becoming mothers and the delivery of healthy babies, but also in diagnosing cancer at earlier stages in order to improve the chance of survival for those with the illness.
How You Can Help
We’re looking to our friends for help. The hospital needs some basic equipment and supplies in the immediate future in order to improve current operations. Our hope is to raise enough money to get what the Hospital needs right away, and then begin to introduce cancer care capabilities in the near future. Below is a high level breakdown of what your donations will help us purchase.
$3K - $5K: Basic supplies required immediately
- new labour and delivery bed
- new operating table
- baby bassinet
- baby warming bed/incubator
- surgical equipment sterilizer
- new infrared thermometers
- new digital blood pressure monitor
- hand sanitizer dispensers
- new scrubs for all staff
$5K - $10K: Bring cancer care capabilities to the Hospital
- hire a technician to operate Ultrasound equipment
- hire a lab technician to perform advanced blood work
- recruit local or foreign consulting Oncologist to help with cancer care planning
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading our story, and for your donations. However big or small, your financial contribution to our cause is extremely generous and appreciated. Every single dollar we raise will go directly toward the hospital, and will not only help keep our parents’ dream alive, but will also bring meaning to a life cut far too short.
We are eternally grateful for your kindness.
The Aimiuwu Family
P.S. Our family will also be contributing $10k towards the hospital from our own private savings.
Organizer
Rashmi Sudan Aimiuwu
Organizer
Calgary, AB
