Help Collins Beat Cancer and Save His Leg

My name is Collins Buer Apetorgbor. I was born on 30th July, 1997 in Anyamam, Ada, Ghana. 

I want to tell you about my life story. At first, I had a very happy childhood since I was the only child of my parents. My dad was a fisherman while my mom stayed at home. My dad died due to food poisoning when I was only 4 years old, so I grew up with a single parent. This is where the challenges of my childhood began.

After my dad's death, my mom and I moved to Ashaiman, Ghana where I attended preparatory school. I had always wanted to be a professional footballer in future,  so I registered with the Arctic Football Club. There I trained after school and on weekends. My dream was to play for Arsenal football club in London, or if not, become an accountant.

In 2014, I completed Junior High School. While waiting for my final examinations results, I had enough time to train, and I played matches for my club. Senior Secondary School admissions and fees cost a lot, so I never thought I would attend. My mom was a seamstress and her job does not pay much. 

The Junior High School final examination results were released, and because I had good grades, I was admitted to the Ghanata Senior High School in the Greater Accra Region. 

Because I needed to prepare for school, I stopped playing for the club since it wasn't paying. I had to work hard to earn money to help my mom send me to Senior High School. A few weeks before I was to enter school, I got kicked with a boot while playing football with my neighbours. I didn't notice it at first, but eventually, the injury began to swell. I went home and noticed my left lower limb closer to my ankle was a little swollen, and my mom used ice blocks and other herbs on it. But it didn't go down. 

The time came for me to go to school, and I told my mum to let me go to school since the swell was minimal on the leg and wasn't hurting too much. I went to Senior High School and completed it successfully on 5th May, 2017.

I had to face life after senior high school and start my career, so I wanted to do away with the swell on my leg. I wanted to feel free and play football or do whatever work I wanted to do. I went to a Clinic nearby for an X-ray of the leg and to get the surgery done since it doesn't respond to other treatments. I was referred to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital since the clinic detected a mass on the bone, which couldn't be treated by smaller hospitals. I booked an appointment at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and had an unsuccessful surgery due to the wrong diagnosis. After the surgery, the swell became larger as the days unfolded. 

I sent complaints about what was happening to the hospital after the surgery. They did another analysis of samples taken from my leg during the surgery. They then told me they've found out that it's Adamantinoma, a rare bone cancer that could hardly be treated. They proposed to amputate my leg to save me. I disagreed with their suggestion as I am young, and I want to be able to live freely. 

I searched for opinions on where this form of cancer can be treated without amputation. I found two hospitals that have experience treating this rare form of cancer. One is Mass General Hospital in Boston, USA, and the other hospital is in Delhi, India, at the AIIMS hospital. I weighed the two hospitals and chose AIIMS hospital because the USA hospital was far too expensive.

 

Currently, I am in critical condition, and I need help from around the world to help me receive the treatment that will save my life. The cost is at an approximated cost of $25,000, including a stay in India for 1 month. I truly hope the world will hear my voice and help me urgently. My heart is heavy, and I am in pain.

Any donation is truly appreciated.