Paulina is 48 years old, and works to support her family in Kenya. She is a widow and has three children. “Her two younger children are still in school and Paulina prays that they will be able to complete their education and get good jobs,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us.
“Five months ago, Paulina discovered a lump in her left breast,” reports AMHF. After seeing a specialist in Nairobi, a biopsy confirmed that the lump is cancerous.
Doctors have recommended a mastectomy to remove her entire left breast, but Paulina worries about the costs. “Paulina does any odd jobs she gets to be able to feed and provide for her family,” AMHF tells us. After her husband passed away, she became the sole provider for her family and her children’s education. It took her a long time to save enough money to afford the initial scans to diagnose the cancer and she cannot save more to pay for the operation.
For $740, Paulina will receive surgery and follow-up chemotherapy to ensure that the cancer is completely removed. These funds will cover all the costs of the operation, the chemotherapy, and her hospital stay.
Paulina is looking forward to the opportunity to regain her health. “All she knew was that cancer kills and that she did not want to die,” explains AMHF. “After counseling and elaboration of the treatment process from the doctor, hope shows in her eyes.”