A mother has appealed for ₦4.5 million in financial support to help fund treatment for her three-year-old daughter, who is battling cancer.
A 36-year-old mother, Ayishat Akinola, has appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to help raise N4.5 million for the treatment and surgery of her three-year-old daughter, Rokeebat, who is battling rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
Rokeebat is currently receiving treatment at Crestline Hospital, Idi-Ope Bus Stop, opposite the Electronic Market, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Ayishat, a fashion designer, said the family first noticed that something was wrong about a month ago when Rokeebat’s abdomen suddenly began to swell.
She said the swelling increased rapidly and became hard, prompting her to seek medical attention at Global Medical Centre, Apata, where doctors reportedly discovered that the growth was located inside the child’s bladder.
“I noticed towards the end of last month that her belly was swelling, and I acted fast by taking her to the hospital,” Ayishat said.
“The tummy was just getting bigger quickly and becoming very hard. We went to the Global Medical Centre at Apata, where we were told that it was inside her bladder.”
According to her, Rokeebat subsequently underwent her first surgery about three weeks ago at a cost of N500,000.
However, she said the tumour returned after the surgery, forcing the family to seek further medical intervention.
“She had her first surgery three weeks ago, and we spent N500,000 on it. Unfortunately, the growth came back,” she said.
Ayishat said the family had now moved to Crestline Hospital, where the child requires further treatment and surgery, but the mounting medical expenses had become difficult to bear.
“The pain is too much for her. It is very painful for me as a mother to watch my child go through this,” she said.
She said the family needed N4.5 million for the immediate treatment and surgery, adding that they could not raise the amount alone.
Ayishat, who is married to 40-year-old Olawale Akinola, a transporter, said the family had been struggling to cope with the medical expenses.
She disclosed that she has three other children, aged 13, 11 and seven.
“I am appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to please help us save my daughter’s life. We have already spent N500,000 on the first surgery, and the growth came back.
“We need N4.5 million now for her further treatment. We cannot raise this amount alone, and any amount anyone can contribute will go a long way in helping us,” she said.
Ayishat added: “I just want my daughter to get the treatment she needs and come back home healthy. I am begging Nigerians to help us.”
Those willing to support Rokeebat’s treatment can make donations through:
GTBank
Account Name: Ayishat Tijani Opeyemi
Account Number: 0549121142
OPay
Account Name: Ayishat Tijani Opeyemi
Account Number: 9033854820
For further enquiries or verification, Ayishat can be reached on 09033854820.
