Cure 250 Children with Burkitt Lymphoma in Africa

Alfa is a delightful 6 year old girl who epitomizes the stoicism and determination of many children who are patients here at St. Mary’s Hospital, Lacor - always with a smile on her face.

I met Alfa last September after she made the 164 kilometer journey with her father from her home in Nebbi to St. Mary’s Hospital, Lacor. An arduous journey at the best of times, the stakes were raised yet further by Alfa’s illness; she was weak, feverish and in pain. Over the previous 3 months, she had been experiencing worsening pain in her stomach along with swelling of her jaw. Treatment at her local hospital made no difference and she was later referred on to St. Mary’s Hospital; one of only three hospitals in the country where childhood Burkitt lymphoma can be treated.

She continued to deteriorate after she arrived at the hospital, becoming unable to stand or walk as the cancer affected the nerves in her body. She was quickly diagnosed and given life-saving chemotherapy drugs. It remained an uphill battle. But, with many hours of physiotherapy and support from both her father and the ward team, she improved dramatically. On her last day of treatment she very proudly showed off her ability to walk again as she came down the ward to greet me.

Remaining on the ward for such a long time was both costly and emotionally draining for the family. Without the funds, and associated hope that donors have so generously given, it would not have been possible to support her and her father through this. Of critical importance to Alfa was the ability for us to immediately give the expensive chemotherapy and physiotherapy; without this she would likely have remained paralyzed for life.

Alfa remains in excellent health and continues to get stronger. Due to her extreme shyness, her smile is her only outward expression of her thanks, though she did whisper to me that she is busy practicing to try and outrun her brothers once again. However, her father was very keen that we openly convey his deepest gratitude to all of the donors. He does not like to think about what would have happened without the funds that have been raised through this project and he asked us to say, “God bless you all”.