Help support treatment for Joan's breast cancer

Hi, we're the Morganstein family. We're fundraising to help Joan Namboowa, who is 29 years old, lives in Uganda, and learned several months ago she has breast cancer. Joan was orphaned as a young child and grew up with many adversities. Joan is kind, caring, hardworking, and loves God. The woman who was like a mother figure to her died a few months ago, before Joan's wedding to Peter, the love of her life. We've known and supported Joan since she was a young girl and, since the death of the woman who was like a mother to her, we have become more active in her life. God has called us to love her as our family and step in as parental figures. We are reaching out for your help.

After completing restaurant management school, Joan worked diligently to save and buy a small cafe to earn a living. A recent bout with Covid and breast cancer diagnosis have made it very difficult for Joan to pay her bills. The Ugandan healthcare system is extremely costly, and health insurance is not an option for many people like Joan. If she cannot pay a bill, she is forced to remain at the hospital under she can obtain the funds. She continues struggling to pay bills and keep the doors open at her cafe. Making matters worse, Joan was recently evicted from her home when she could not pay rent after covering the bills for her breast cancer treatment.

In many developed countries, where health insurance and access to care are standard, it can be difficult to imagine that some people live in places where care is severely limited or inaccessible to many. Or living in an area where the costs for even minor healthcare services can force a person to choose between getting well and having a roof over their head or food on their plate. It can also seem unimaginable to think that a person who cannot pay their entire medical bill would be detained in the hospital, almost like a prisoner. Ironically, this system makes people unable to work and earn the very money they need to pay their bills. But, this is what it's like to live in Uganda.

With faith and gratitude, Joan has faced extraordinary hardships, many unimaginable to most of us. She's worked so hard throughout her life despite all the adversities. Now, a young bride, she and her new husband are faced with a potentially fatal health condition, all worsened by systemic issues within the healthcare system and government policies of the country where she resides. Without treatment, breast cancer is likely to end her life prematurely. With treatment, the doctors believe she has a good chance of living.

Joan wants to get the treatment she needs and get back on her feet. She also wants to work hard and earn an honest living. Support for her healthcare bills will provide immeasurable assistance.

Please join us in financially supporting Joan so she can pay her rent and the costs for chemotherapy and other treatments needed for her breast cancer. We will ensure that all donations are sent to Joan through a secure international money transfer system that we currently use to support her.

In faith with gratitude,

Joshua, Sherry and Hannah