Ifeyinwa Onwukeme

Hi my name is Pablo Ngando Essaka, I am raising funds for a Non profit organisation based in Nigeria known as Sali Hoe Foundation. I am a co organizer of this fundraiser. JENNIFER'S TRUE LIFE CERVICAL, VAGINA AND UTERINE CANCER STORY Jennifer's Cervical, Vagina and Uterine Cancer journey started in 2013 when she felt severe itching with an open sore around the vulva, severe pain in her lower abdomen, bleeding after sex and bloody discharge from her vagina. According to her she was ignorant of Human papillomavirus infections and she went to several hospitals but her condition grew worse with several medications. She kept it private because of the stigma associated with sexually transmitted diseases. Most medical doctors she consulted thought it was just a mere sexually transmitted disease and on different occasions she was treated for candidiasis, urinary tract infection, gonorrhoea, Syphilis etc. In 2016 she decided to go to University Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada where she had a series of treatments and a test commonly known as pap smear. Fortunately for Jennifer, the result was negative for abnormal cells and Human papillomavirus (HPV) which is the most important risk factor for Cervical, Vagina and Uterine Cancer but sadly, it was a wrong diagnosis. This situation is one of the disadvantages of Pap Smear screening. For about 60 years, all cervical cytology samples were handled this way and are relatively inexpensive but it does have some disadvantages. One of the problems with conventional cytology is that the cells smeared onto the slides are sometimes piled up on each other making it difficult for Pathologists to see abnormal cells through the microscope and most often health professionals report patients result as normal cells or negative for HPV. According to her a surgery was done and the doctor requested for a cervical biopsy investigation (cervical biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for a microscopic examination by a Pathologist). The Pathologist did the diagnostic test and confirmed she had cervical cancer and was caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Further investigations were carried out and the results indicated that cancer has metastasized from the endocervix, which comprises of the uterus and the cervix to the ectocervix, (secondary site: vulva, vagina). In 2017, she was referred to National hospital Abuja for further cancer treatment known as (chemotherapy and radiotherapy). She couldn't afford it but nevertheless, she visited the hospital, unfortunately for her, the radiotherapy machine was faulty at that time. I will pause to describe my own experience. I was at National Hospital Abuja in 2018 to carry out cancer research but I ended up as an emergency counselor and I counseled some cancer patients waiting for radiotherapy treatment. The cancer patients told me the actual cost for radiotherapy was about N600, 000, in addition to chemotherapy which was about N1,000,000 and above depending on the number of cycles a patient needed, and the payment has to be completed before the treatment. The bombshell was when they said National Hospital Abuja was the only place where one can access radiotherapy treatment in Nigeria as at 2018. I was told that three Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria had faulty radiotherapy machines, a shocking revelation. Back to Jennifer's story, so she decided alternative treatment should be the easiest way out since she couldn’t afford conventional treatments, according to her from 2017, she started alternative treatment (herbal medicine) and she wasn't getting better but there was a glimpse of hope when SaliHoe Foundation (Caregiver/ Patient Advocate) took over her case, then she was bleeding profusely from her genitals, with her vulvar completely destroyed thereby leaving her with what does not look like the anatomy of a female vagina. Sali Hoe Foundation (Caregiver/ Patient Advocate) assisted her with funds and palliative care services but unfortunately, cancer had spread to the uterus and other vital organs of the body. The last hospital we consulted diagnosed her at stage IV. Although, at that stage a successful medical treatment or survival rate was zero. Only Divine intervention would have saved her.. Sadly, she passed on in 2020 after a tough long battle, without her husband's support and with minimal aid from the society. Early detection of cancer would have probably saved her. Photo of Jennifer's vagina - viewers discretion is advised. Lessons to be learnt from Jennifer's story include: ● She visited rural community hospitals that couldn't diagnose her condition early, physicians assumed she had sexually transmitted infections which could be chlamydia, gonorrhea, urinary tract infections, syphilis and these infections could mimic cervical cancer. ● She had a wrong diagnosis, Pap Smear screening for HPV has some disadvantages, test results might be wrong. ● Delayed diagnosis because she couldn't access proper medical tests, the first extensive examination and proper diagnosis she had was in 2017 but she visited other local community hospitals from 2013 . ● She had no knowledge of Human papillomavirus, uterine, vagina and cervical cancer. Thus, ignorance remains the underlying risk factor for most Nigerian women. ● She had no funds to pay for her hospital bills, also lacked health insurance. ● Inadequate medical facilities/medical equipment and inexperienced health workers at the local health centers she visited in Nigeria. ● Late detection lowered her chances of survival, early detection of cancer saves lives. ● She was afraid of stigmatization. Sali Hoe Foundation cancer control activities so far have been outreaches to communities. Our organization's efforts in cancer control is to create awareness on cervical cancer prevention, end stigmatization associated with the disease. Sali Hoe Foundation cervical cancer prevention and stigma eradication in Nigeria include: ■ Currently we are working on establishing a free Cervical Cancer Screening and Vaccination Center where women can have access to free cervical cancer screening with Automated Machines, case management, vaccine, re-screening and follow up care (palliative care/ end of life care). ■ We have been creating cervical cancer awareness on different television networks and radio stations, secondary schools, seminars and community events. We distribute free handbills, pamphlets and booklets on cervical cancer prevention and stigma eradication (self explanatory booklets with diagrams and interpreted in the three major languages in Nigeria). We ensure women affected by cervical cancer have access to the best treatment, support and information. ■ Part of our sensitization programmes is to ensure significantly greater numbers of young girls/ women who are eligible for cervical screening or the HPV vaccination really understand the importance of cervical cancer prevention, making an informed choice and taking up the offer. ■ We are planning to run targeted national campaigns to facilitate improvements and change in health policy and practice. More than half of the women diagnosed as having cervical cancer in Nigeria have not been screened or vaccinated within the last 3 years, despite many having had contact with the health care system. ■ We do a monthly visit to local health centers in different communities with relevant information and self educational materials for health workers, training them on how to champion quality in local health practice and to promote best cervical cancer prevention and treatment programmes. ■ We are building and fostering partnerships in Nigeria and worldwide that will enable us to have the greatest impact possible, sourcing for sustainable funding. Successful community programmes to control cervical cancer depend on their commitments of a variety of committed partners. Such partners will help strengthen and maintain Sali Hoe Foundation Programmes by contributing the expertise, connections, resources, and enthusiasm to the activities of the programmes. ■ We have established programmes like anti cancer clubs and young girls to motherhood campaigns/clubs in female secondary schools with educational materials. We educate children during their club activities on cervical cancer prevention and total abstinence (the avoidance of premarital sex, HPV is the major cause of HPV related cancers and it is sexually transmitted). ■ We offer free confidential counseling classes/sessions, phone conversation and we teach women to open up to close family members about their diagnosis for emotional support. We educate women on how to manage stigmatization with their medical diagnosis. ■ We offer free palliative care /end-of-life care services and pay medical bills for women / men who can't afford to pay their medical debts. ■ We have launched a project- BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR VACCINATION. We encourage people to take the role of an advocate for vaccination within their community. We educate them on how to share evidence-based information, updates on HPV vaccine efficacy and safety with family, friends and colleagues. By staying informed, advocates can provide accurate and reassuring information, helping parents make informed decisions about HPV vaccination for their children. Vaccines remain the most effective prevention method against cervical cancer. Advocating for vaccination is a huge effort in cancer control. Our core values in cancer control are awareness creation, screening and vaccination. ignorance remains the underlying risk factor for most Nigerian women. (Research conducted by SaliHoe Foundation in 2010; to estimate the percentage of women that are ignorant of cervical cancer and education needs). Cervical cancer is highly preventable and no woman should die of the disease. As a Medical practitioner seeing women losing their fight to advanced cervical cancer is painful, it is an entirely preventable disease, with regular screening and appropriate measures we can put an end to this dreaded disease. I recently met a young woman of 35 years old, her name is Hadiza Bala who happens to be one of the numerous women with cervical cancer in Nigeria and she is from Kebbi State, she is presently dying of cervical cancer, she was bleeding profusely from her genitals which is one of the late symptoms of advanced stage cervical cancer, she couldn’t pay for her radiotherapy treatment which will cost about N600,000. With the little assistance I could offer, I was able to manage her condition in a small clinic where I rendered volunteer services to people who couldn’t afford elaborate medical care. Her first child was about 20 years old and she was not empowered financially to assist her mother. Subsequently, I came across another widow with four children and she had stage IV cervical cancer, which is the most advanced stage, at this stage the cancer had spread to vital organs of the body. She could barely take care of her children and before I could offer any assistance, she died. Her demise hurt me badly because her first son was about 14 years old when she passed on. Another touching story is Mrs Jennifer who was abandoned by her husband because she had cervical cancer, though her son was about 5 years old but unfortunately she lost the battle to cancer after a series of conventional and alternative treatments. Sali Hoe Foundation (Caregiver/ Patient Advocate) assisted her with funds and palliative care services but unfortunately, cancer has spread to the uterus and other vital organs of the body. Jennifer was 30 years old when diagnosed with cervical cancer, HPV infection started from the exocervix (vagina) and moved towards the endocervix (Uterus). She was a wife and mother and was well known to Sali Hoe Cancer Care Team. Jennifer's legacy is kept alive through the compassion and commitment to create awareness and raise funds to establish a Free cervix screening center. Stacey was 26 years old when diagnosed with cervical cancer, the HPV infection started from the exocervix (vagina) and moved towards the endocervix (Uterus). She was well known to Sali Hoe Cancer Care Team. Stacey's legacy is kept alive through the compassion and commitment of Sali Hoe Foundation to raise funds to support women with gynecologic cancer and eliminate this terrible disease. Part of funds raised will be directed to our public education programs in schools, workplaces, and media awareness. Currently, Sali Hoe Foundation has quite a number of women battling with this dreaded disease but the good news is we can end this menace by establishing a free Cervical Cancer Screening and Vaccination Center with Automated machines. Cervical cancer is an entirely preventable disease if women should screen regularly and young girls fully vaccinated before their first sexual encounter. Clarion calls to save our Sisters, Wives, Daughters, Mothers, Aunties, Cousins, Girlfriends, Grandmothers, Great grandmothers, Daughter in laws, Relatives and Friends from cervical cancer. Nigeria should have one of the best cancer centres in the world but greed, ignorance and lack of empathy from some of our leaders have led to countless deaths from cancer disease in the country. Reports have shown that cervical cancer kills one woman every hour in Nigeria, the disease is a menace in the country (source: WHO) and it is time to put an end to it. In 2010, the love for humanity led us to start up a registered non governmental organization known as Sali Hoe Foundation. We have been in existence for 15 years and still counting by God's grace. Our vision is to have a society that is completely free of cervical cancer. Visit our website for details. Www.salihoefoundations.org Sali Hoe Foundation is committed to making sure women will have access to free cervix screening. Early screening can detect Human papilloma virus (HPV) before it precedes cervical cancer. HPV is one of the risk factors for cervical cancer (gynecologic cancer). Our goal is to situate a standard and well equipped free cervix screening and vaccination center with automated machines where all women will access free Cervix screening, case management, vaccine, re-screening, and follow-up care irrespective of their status or backgrounds. We are starting our first major fundraising campaign since the onset of our organization, please contribute towards this huge project to save lives, with your donations we can continue our educational programs, ignorance remains the underlying risk factors for most Nigerian women, also engaging in our new initiative of starting a free standard cervical cancer screening and vaccination center so we can shine light on women. Give now to ensure that the lives of women will be saved. Your generosity could be the miracle someone is praying for. Your donation, big or small will make a difference. Please we need generous donors like you to join our cause. Every pound, dollar and euro brings hope to cervical cancer patients struggling with medical debts. Collaborative efforts can help save countless lives (women). Please we are calling on well-meaning people who have the welfare of women at heart, to support our fundraising, collaborate, partner, sponsor, help, pray and work with us to make this goal achievable and end cervical cancer deaths in Nigeria. SaliHoe Foundation certified and registered with Corporate Affairs Commission Nigeria in 2010, headquartered in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) of Nigeria. Registration and certification number for Sali Hoe Foundation is CAC/IT/NO 40907. Pls verify our authenticity. Please take note that every donation will be used appropriately and we are accountable for all donations. We are known for accountability and transparency. We have our Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) Certificate issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Nigeria (EFCC) for transparency. Thank you for donating. God bless you.