Christian’s Story of Hope
When Christian was 7, he suddenly began experiencing severe ear pain, followed by swelling that made it difficult to speak. His mother, desperate to help him, initially turned to traditional healers. But when his condition got worse, the family sought formal healthcare.
They first turned to local Dedza District Hospital, where doctors recognized the severity of Christian’s illness and immediately referred him to the specialized care available through Global HOPE. This children’s cancer center is housed at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Malawi’s capital city of Lilongwe.
By that point, Christian had a massive tumor blocking his mouth and throat. A biopsy confirmed rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Christian was struggling to breathe, so doctors performed an emergency tracheostomy to open his airway. They then began a mix of three chemotherapy drugs immediately, supported by additional medicines to manage side effects.
For Christian’s family, his diagnosis brought immense financial strain. The family lives in Chilindaukwe village in Dedza District with his father farming and his mother running a tchisa nyama (grilled meat) stand. These jobs provide Christian, his parents and older sibling with a modest, two-bedroom home and a good life. However, hospital visits disrupted their income, prompting relatives, neighbors and the Namilulu Banki Mnkhonde, a local savings and loan, to step in and help them financially.
Thanks to the funds generously granted by Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), Christian and his family were supported holistically by Global HOPE. Doctors delivered his surgery and chemotherapy, while a team of nurses, physical therapists, nutritionists and social workers addressed his well-being holistically. Removing the cancer is just as important as emotional and nutritional support and play therapy that helps Christian and his family cope.
Now, Christian and his family have hope. His condition has stabilized, his breathing has improved and his tracheostomy has been removed—an important milestone in his recovery.
Global HOPE’s team, sustained by LCIF grants, make it possible for children like Christian to survive cancer in Malawi.
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