Mum of 5 needs life saving cancer treatment

Nike's Battle with stage 3 colorectal adenocarcinoma (lower rectal cancer) written by Titi Omo-Adesanya and Kiesha Okeowo.

Adenike Sharon Kareem (Nike), a 48-year old mum of 5, has been fighting for survival against stage 3 colorectal adenocarcinoma (lower rectal cancer) for the last 7 years. After a prolapsed colostomy and 3 failed surgeries, her situation is now critical. We now have less than two weeks to raise the funds she needs for life-saving surgery, as her visa to travel for surgery is due to run out on the 11th of March.

I met Nike through our church, The Lights House (an online church based in the UK). For months, we were unaware of Nike’s battle. She is not only a valued member of our church, she has become a dear friend to us all. She always speaks with such grace, humility, and kindness. As soon as we heard her story, we knew we have to do all we can to help her.

Nike, who married in 2001, was blessed with three biological children. She later opened her heart and home to an orphaned child. Nike was so touched by the girl’s story of abuse, abandonment, and early teenage pregnancy. Despite her own financial burdens, she took in both the girl and her two children. She has cared for them for the last 6 years. She met her adoptive son while he was still in school. He had lost his mother, and his father struggled to provide for him. She saw much of her own son in him. Her strong motherly instincts once again kicked in. She brought him into her home to give him the best start in life that she could.

Nike has a postgraduate degree in education and has pursued a successful career in teaching. She has been employed by the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission since 2005. To supplement her teaching salary, she combined her passion for cooking and baking. She started a catering and party planning business. Up until this point, life was good.

However, in 2016, she started to experience a sharp pain in her abdomen. This progressed to difficulty with bowel movement, rectal bleeding, and blood in her stools. Her appetite decreased dramatically, and she lost a worrying amount of weight rapidly. Nike visited the hospital several times. Unfortunately, she was sent home with antibiotics.

After two years of pain, confusion, and fear, Nike’s sister suggested she undergo a colonoscopy test. It was then that a large tumour was found. After taking a sample for testing, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colorectal Adenocarcinoma (lower rectal cancer). Nike was determined to do all she could to survive so she could be there for her children. Feeling optimistic after hearing the survival rates, Nike prepared herself for the recommended course of treatment. It included chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

In 2019, Nike completed her course of chemotherapy. But, due to a lack of funds, she was unable to undergo the radiation and surgery. It was then that she realised that survival was a light at the end of a very long tunnel that would have a lot of barriers, and time was running out.

In 2020, during the Covid pandemic, she experienced extreme pain and intense sickness. She was rushed to the hospital due to her inability to pass stools. They decided she needed an emergency colostomy.

Whilst living with a colostomy bag, Nike had to resume her chemotherapy treatment. As she mentions in her video, her regime kept changing due to the cancer becoming more aggressive. During this time, her colostomy prolapsed.

She has undergone three surgeries, all of which failed to fix this.

Now, she has been told that she can no longer have another of this type of surgery and that she needs spinal scraping and her uterus removed. This surgery is only available to her in India at the Max Super Specialty hospital, Patparganj (A unit of Balaji Medical & Diagnostic Centre). Here she will receive a Lower Anteriom Resection to remove the cancer, Hysterectomy to remove her uterus, Nephrectomy to remove her kidney, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy. She will be required to stay in hospital for 2 weeks and will be in India for 3 months while she recovers.

This life-saving surgery costs over 40 million naira (£30,000). Her family and friends have been supportive over the years, but she needs help raising the money for the treatment.

Through all this, Nike’s strength and dedication to her family have been nothing short of heroic. Due to a change in her personal circumstances, she has carried the majority of the financial and parental responsibilities for her children. She has been paying for her eldest daughter’s university education. Even when funds became difficult, she didn't ask her to give up. Instead, she moved her from the university she was attending to the Open University so she could continue to study Mass Communication.

Her firstborn son has been accepted into the state university to study Public Health. Her lastborn son has been accepted to study Engineering. Her adopted daughter is currently undergoing an apprenticeship in fashion and design. Her adopted son is now working in an eatery to save money for his Higher National Diploma studies. In addition to fighting cancer, she is fighting for the chance to see her daughter marry this year.

Her children still need her.

The fight against cancer is one we wish nobody had to fight. If we could make it so that nobody had to lose their life to such a terrifying disease, I am sure we would all do that in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, that is not the case. We do, however, have the opportunity to help save one life.

The life of a kind, caring, and generous mum and wife who has dedicated her life to helping others through her work and in her personal life.

No donation is too small. We humbly ask you to give what you can and share this as far and wide as possible to give Nike and her family a fighting chance.

God bless you all.