Two years ago, Naangayok underwent a mass excision for a benign tumor on his leg. This procedure was funded by Watsi donors, and was successful. Recently, however, Naangayok returned to the hospital in pain and unable to walk. Doctors discovered that the tumor had recurred and diagnosed the tumor as cancerous.
Naangayok is an 18-year-old man from Tanzania, who lives with his parents and helps his father herd cattle.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “The tumor cannot be excised as there is no way of doing so without destroying some nerves and blood vessels. This would result in a non-functional limb and a high change of a recurring tumor.”
Doctors recommend that Naangayok’s leg be amputated above the knee. After the wound has healed, Naangayok will need a prosthetic to walk again.
$1,035 will fund the operation Naangayok needs. Even if Naangayok’s parents sell the few cattle they own, they will not be able to afford the operation for their son. AMHF says that with the operation, “We expect that the surgery will reduce the chances of the cancer spreading and save Naangayok’s life.”
“I wish I didn’t have to lose my leg, but I am feeling a lot of pain that I have accepted,” Naangayok shares. “My changes of healing are higher without that part of my leg. I hope I will still be able to walk when I get an artificial leg.”