This year in April, we announced a historic milestone where two of our brave warriors accessed a lifesaving treatment in the USA made possible by a partnership between Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, USA. For the first time in Ghana—and indeed in West Africa.
Our brave warriors, Stephanie and Godwina, aged 3 and 5, faced an uphill battle with their conditions. The intricate surgeries they required were not feasible in Ghana due to limitations in medical and financial resources. However, through the transformative power of the St. Jude Global Alliance, these young lives were given a chance to thrive.
Today, we share with you great news as our brave warriors are winning the fight against childhood cancer. Stephaine, who was battling bilateral Wilms Tumor (both kidneys affected by cancer) after going through complex chemotherapy and surgeries is currently doing well and back in Ghana awaiting her next review. Godwina, who had Wilms tumour with metastasis to her heart is doing amazingly well after going through very complex and advanced chemotherapy and surgeries and is still at St. Jude’s Children research hospital continuing with the rest of her treatment.
We are always excited to see and hear from them during our video and phone conversations as well as getting positive reports from their oncologists. “Stephaine is definitely happy to be back eating her favorite meal, Akple with Okro soup, this time in a larger morsel,” says her mum, Yvonne, filled with smiles.
“I am happy to see her playing with her dolls, running around the compound of the house chasing after the cats and chickens. This time I am not running around in the hospital in anguish but rather getting her to stop chasing the chickens at home”. Yvonne shares as she tries to hold back her tears.
“My child needed a chance at life, and Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana and St. Jude’s children research hospital were there, and I can’t thank them enough.” – Yvonne adds
On the other hand, we are thrilled with tales of Godwina trying new dishes, dancing, and also getting dressed up in a princess costume as she celebrates Halloween at St. Jude’s, seeing her pretty little bald head manage to wear her crown beautifully.
“I would have never imagined that Godwina would be up and dancing; it’s like she is a new person; she’s smiling and dancing, ” shares her mum.
“I can see she is happy and smiling more now. The sad part is that she misses her favorite food, Waakye. I might get some for her here, but she always says it’s nothing compared to Amaria’s Waakye. We probably need to ship some for her here’ .. Evelyn, her mum, shares as she laughs out.
Thanks to the unwavering commitment of our partners at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, these brave little girls successfully completed their surgeries and are now on the path to recovery. Their smiles and resilience remind us of why we continue to fight for children facing childhood cancer.
This achievement is not just a victory for Godwina and Stephanie but also a beacon of hope for every brave little child and family fighting cancer in Ghana and across West Africa. It demonstrates the immense power of partnerships, collaboration, and the global community’s shared commitment to ensuring no child is left behind in their fight against cancer.
We extend our deepest gratitude to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for making this dream a reality. Together, we can continue to create life-changing opportunities and build a future where access to quality care knows no borders.
