Melts Like Ice

“It melts like ice with the right treatment.” says Dr. Charles Majinge, the Director General of Bugando Medical Center.

Dr. Majinge and his staff sat with us today to discuss the IMA supported Burkitt’s Lymphoma program in his hospital.

This life saving treatment is something IMA helps provide to the children who pass through the wards of Bugando. For the poor, the treatment is free.

I saw this first hand when I took a walk through the halls of the hospital. I met a quiet little girl named Veronica. She is 9 years old and she was showing the signs of Burkitt’s. She had a large tumor on the right side of her face.

She has been in the hospital for a month getting chemotherapy treatment so I’m not sure what it looked like when she first arrived. But, according to the nurse she has improved greatly.

In Veronica’s case the tumor will “melt” away as it has for nearly 2000 children at Bugando Hospital since 2002. All of this was done with support from IMA World Health.

I’ve attached a photo of Veronica, her little sister Neema and her mother Lucia. They are in a difficult situation; Lucia is a single mother raising her children on her own. They don’t have the means to pay for medical treatment like this on their own.

Fortunately, they have help from donors like many of you and the support of IMA. Remember, when you donate to the Burkitt’s Lymphoma program - you are changing lives in a major way.

Tonight I’m posting from Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean. I know the water is nearby, but I haven’t been able to see it yet. I can’t wait until sunrise!