Life-Saving Care Made Possible with Lions Support
Children in Malawi now receive timely cancer diagnosis and treatment thanks to a new lab and pharmacy
When Yamikani was eight years old, his parents noticed a mysterious swelling on his face. The swelling grew from the bridge of his nose and eventually obscured his eye. In August 2024, his parents brought him to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe. Kamuza Central Hospital hosts a pediatric cancer program run by Texas Children’s Global HOPE and supported by Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).
The series of tests confirmed Yamikani’s diagnosis. He had Burkitt lymphoma, a highly aggressive, fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The condition typically affects children and can be fatal without prompt treatment.
Confirming a cancer diagnosis requires a nearby lab with the equipment, supplies and personnel to perform specialized tests. These tests happened quickly for Yamikani, thanks to a US$500,000 gift from LCIF. Without a properly equipped lab, samples must be sent away for processing, which delays the start of life-saving treatment.
Yamikani and his parents faced no such delays. LCIF funding also allowed for a state-of-the-art pharmacy that provides the pediatric formulations of chemotherapy and other medicines needed to treat childhood cancers.
Yamikani’s cancer treatment began immediately, and subtle improvements began to emerge as the treatment progressed. Despite difficult side effects, the swelling on his face receded, and his eyes once more sparkled with renewed vitality. By the end of September, Yamikani was walking, seeing and thriving.
This recent funding was just one part of LCIF’s generous US$2 million grant to Texas Children’s Global HOPE, which brings state-of-the-art cancer diagnosis and treatment to countries where few, if any, such resources exist.
These advanced facilities enhance countless children’s care by allowing for the early diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancers. LCIF’s thoughtful investment in these resources is transforming lives and fostering a brighter future for all those in need of critical medical support.
Learn more about Texas Children’s Global HOPE Program and the partnership with LCIF.
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