Seven-year-old Sharon lives with her parents and younger brother in Kenya, and loves to sing songs of worship.
“Sharon was enrolled in nursery school three years ago but had to quit when she began experiencing headaches and instability when walking,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “Upon examination, she was found to have a brain tumor. Sharon was treated and resumed school in 2014.”
“Since May 2015, Sharon had to quit school again because she started experiencing fits, slurred speech and lost her ability to walk or stand unless she holds on to something,” AMHF continues. “Sharon has been suffering severe headaches and inability to walk, persistent vomiting, and sleepiness for the last couple of months.”
Sharon’s current symptoms indicate that the tumor is getting larger, and she will need to undergo a craniotomy to remove the tumor from her brain. “As the tumor in Sharon’s head grows and pressure inside her head increases, this could lead to decreased cardiac and respiratory function, unconsciousness and ultimately death,” AMHF explains. “In addition, it can also result to visual impairment if not treated.”
Sharon’s parents work on their tea farm, but the seasonal tea crop does not provide enough money to pay for the family’s basic needs. Family members and friends helped them cover the costs of Sharon’s initial treatment, but no funds are available for her ongoing care.
$1,260 in funding pays for surgery for Sharon as well as 10 days of inpatient care after surgery. “We hope that after Sharon is treated, the tumor will not recur and she will no longer have dizzy spells and headaches and have a stable gait,” says AMHF. “She will be able to go back to school.”
