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Success! Veronicah from Kenya raised $816 to fund a mastectomy.

Veronicah
100%
  • $816 raised, $0 to go
$816
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Veronicah's treatment was fully funded on December 16, 2019.

Photo of Veronicah post-operation

November 25, 2019

Veronicah underwent a mastectomy.

Veronicah had successful mastectomy surgery. The surgery has greatly minimized the risk of breast cancer metastasizing.

“To be honest, I have been to several places but people do not always offer to help out financially. I will always say that I met God in Kijabe thanks to you,” says Veronicah.

Veronicah had successful mastectomy surgery. The surgery has greatly minimized the risk of breast cancer metastasizing. “To be honest, I ...

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September 30, 2019

Veronicah is a farmer from Kenya. Veronicah is a peasant farmer in her small piece of ancestral land where she lives with her parents and teenage child.

Veronicah has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Veronicah. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 2nd. After treatment, Veronicah will hopefully return to a cancer-free life.

“I keep hearing the doctor’s voice over and over-“breast cancer” “breast cancer. I just do not know what to do,” says Veronicah.

Veronicah is a farmer from Kenya. Veronicah is a peasant farmer in her small piece of ancestral land where she lives with her parents and te...

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Veronicah's Timeline

  • September 30, 2019
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Veronicah was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.

  • October 6, 2019
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Veronicah's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • October 15, 2019
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Veronicah received treatment at AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • November 25, 2019
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Veronicah's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • December 16, 2019
    FULLY FUNDED

    Veronicah's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 25 donors

Funded by 25 donors

Treatment
Mastectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $816 for Veronicah's treatment
Hospital Fees
$763
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$5
Supplies
$0
Labs
$9
Other
$39
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A mastectomy is a surgery to remove the breast or part of the breast and is usually performed to treat breast cancer. Common symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or swelling in all or part of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling, pain, discharge, redness, and thickening of the skin.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

If breast cancer is not treated, the cancer may spread to other organs, potentially leading to early death. Untreated breast cancer can also lead to pain and infection within the breast.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women in Kenya (34 per 100,000). It has been identified as the number one killer of women aged 35-55 years. Late diagnosis is the main reason for high mortality.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient reports to the hospital, and lab work is done. The following day, the patient goes into the operating room for surgery. The patient stays in the hospital ward for three to seven days. The surgery is considered a success if the wound heals cleanly. The patient is then discharged from the hospital.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

This treatment is curative if the cancer has not spread widely. Usually, this surgery is not performed if the cancer has already spread. Sometimes, doctors are unable to determine if the cancer has spread until they perform post-operative lymph node testing.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

There are very few side effects or risks if the condition is diagnosed and treated before the cancer has spread widely.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

In Africa, there is limited capacity to treat breast cancer. Many cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages due to the limited number of diagnostic and treatment centers.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

For early-stage breast cancer, a “lumpectomy” surgery may be adequate. Additional radiation therapy will be required for cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.