Two weeks ago Andrew's Mum Topista was diagnosed with Triple negative breast cancer at Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. We were hoping to scrimp and save to afford her treatment when I return to work, however unfortunately due to the type of cancer we have been advised she needs immunotherapy along with chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Immunotherapy which is the most crucial for this type of breast cancer is extremely expensive and we have been quoted a total predicted cost of £100,000 for all of her treatment over the next 12-18 months with frequent weekly bills. The hospital is an NGO founded by the African Inland Church so this price is just to cover the costs of the medication and local staff wages. Unfortunately this is absolutely beyond our reach of being able to afford which has left us with no option but to search in every way possible for the extra funds to enable her to undergo this lifesaving treatment. We are therefore asking for any support others could possibly contribute to her treatment, we would be incredibly grateful for any financial amount. We would also be keen to hear people’s ideas and skills of fundraising events we could organise or that you could organise in your community/church/ work place on our behalf eg bake sale, quiz, bake off competition, concert/ performance, sponsored activities, sports competitions, fancy dress competition etc etc, or just sharing this page with your networks. We appreciate everyone is stretched right now and there are more worthy causes in the world, but she is our world. It would mean so much to us for Shammah to grow up knowing his Grandma and learn from her example. All funds raised will go directly towards her hospital bills.

Topista is honestly the most inspiring person I have ever met (says Miriam) and truly makes the world a better place being a pillar of her family and community. She is a wise and strong Christian lady living a life of truth and love. She has raised 5 of her own children, bringing up Andrew in such an amazing way to majorly shape who he is today. She has also raised many others in the community who had lost their own mothers. She is an extremely active grandmother of 6, with all of them aside from our baby usually living with her. She is a retired teacher and village health promotion worker, however in her retirement she does more than ever for her community and Church. She has lived most of her life in her native village in the rural district of Bududa in Uganda. She is a member of multiple charities and societies supporting the most vulnerable in her local area and also the surrounding land which is at risk of mudslides and encouraging sustainable small scale agriculture. She is also an active member and on the management and advisory committee of her local church. On top of her offical roles her door is always open to welcome, love and accomodate anyone who knocks whether for a cup of chai or overnight stay. As you can see despite being financially poor she spreads goodness and God's love everywhere she goes. And to us is just Mama and Jaja (Grandma in Luganda) who means so much to us.

Incase you don't know us my name is Miriam and I am North Yorkshire born and bread, married to Andrew from the border of Kenya and Uganda who I met whilst I was conducting medical research in Sudan where he was working in a school and supporting local churches. I am currently on maternity leave but soon returning to work part time training to be a GP. There is no current option for me to work full time due to changes in my training placement and logistics of childcare. Andrew currently works as a teaching assistant but has recently become and licensed Chaplain and is searching for chapliancy work. We currently spend alot of our time volunteering at our local church in Northallerton and trying to be present for our son. The rest of Andrew's siblings and close family live in Uganda or Kenya.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider supporting her treatment in any way.

She has started her chemotherapy and immunotherapy on 14/7/25. We would also really appreciate you standing with her in prayer that she tolerates treatment well without side effects and responds well to the treatment.

Miriam and Andrew Musungu