Help give Akua the beautiful farewell she deserves

My name is Tracey and I hope this fundraising inspires you to live a life of love and also to help in any way you can. My husband Fred and I are raising funds for our dear friend and sister Akua who sadly passed away from cancer. She has little family in this country and we are committed to ensuring that she has a befitting burial.

WHAT HAPPENED TO AKUA?

In October 2020, Akua received the heartbreaking diagnosis that she had stage 4 breast cancer. She was so brave as she went through treatment during lockdown (chemotherapy, surgery and radiation) until April 2022. She fought hard and kept trusting in God for healing. After completing her treatment, Akua worked as a carer with "end of life patients" diligently and lovingly as she always does. She was in good spirits and really enjoyed (and appreciated) the gift of life.

Earlier this year, Akua started feeling increasingly unwell and often complained to the GP of aches and pains in her back and leg. She went to Ghana in April and unfortunately saw her health deteriorate further. When she returned home, she went straight to the hospital where the doctors sadly confirmed that she had metastatic cancer that had spread to other parts of the body. Even then, Akua kept believing for healing. We and many loved ones stood with her prayer. Unfortunately for us, Akua was called home to be with the Lord on Friday 9th June 5:50pm. It was a day of utter heartbreak for us but celebration for her as she was received by our Lord Jesus Christ and delivered from her suffering (Philippians 1: 21 "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain")

WHY WE WANT TO HONOUR HER

Akua lived a life of genuine care for others. For us, as a family, she looked after our children like her own

. To many people in the Cheam, Sutton and Wimbledon areas, she cared lovingly through friendship and also for her many clients who were "end of life". She would often come home from her shifts and think about ways she could make life a little easier for those she was caring for in their last days. Everyone who came into contact with Akua was blessed by her generosity and love. We personally feel privileged to have had her in our lives for this season and we draw so much from the lessons she taught us as a family. We saw her care for those who were vulnerable (literally welcoming strangers into her home when they were destitute) and was constantly thinking about what more she could be doing for those in need. She often shipped clothes to the needy in Ghana and also spoke about her desire to support cancer related charities to help those who did not have access to the care they needed back home. Akua lived a life of love and deserves to be laid to rest in love.

WHAT FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR

We would like to raise funds for Akua's burial and send off. Any excess funds will be donated to St Jude's Children's Cancer Research Fund because we feel that this charity reflects her love for children and her desire to see cancer beaten in the lives of everyone.

See the amazing work of this charity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i_GSTKLk_U&t=20s

We will keep loved ones updated with funeral arrangements once known.