Abuja: KindNest Care Foundation (KCF), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has called for increased support for children battling cancer, urging Nigerians to show love and provide financial assistance to affected patients. A member of the Board of Trustees of KCF, Mr. Abiodun Bamidele, made the call during a visit to the Inpatient Paediatric Ward of the National Hospital Abuja on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the visit formed part of activities to commemorate Children’s Day and provide financial support to children undergoing cancer treatment. Bamidele described the donation as a token and part of the Foundation’s routine outreach programmes in Abuja, Lagos, and other locations. “It’s something we do regularly. We hope to do more in the future by giving back to society, caring for children, and helping those struggling with medical bills,” he said. He emphasized that many children are unable to pay their hospital bills and, although the support is small, KCF is happy to contribute to their well-being.
Dr. Juliet Okpala, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Paediatrics and a member of the oncology team, highlighted the common cases treated at the hospital, including leukaemia, retinoblastoma, kidney cancer, and neuroblastoma. She noted that many patients are indigent, and even financially stable families often exhaust their resources due to the high cost of cancer treatment. “Every support they receive from external sources goes a long way. We appreciate KCF for supporting our children and lifting their spirits,” she said.
Dr. Okpala also discussed prevention, explaining that most childhood cancers have no clearly known causes, though some genetic and environmental factors have been linked to the disease. She advised parents to seek further medical evaluation for children who remain ill despite repeated malaria treatment. “When cancer is diagnosed early, the chances of successful treatment are higher,” she explained.
Mrs. Mercy Gracious-Vine, a Senior Nursing Officer and second-in-charge of the Inpatient Paediatric Ward, emphasized the need to reassure children battling cancer of love and support despite the stigma associated with the disease. She noted the financial burden of treatment often leaves families overwhelmed and appealed to the public for support. “I am very happy to see people come to celebrate and support them. It means a lot that they are remembered on a special day like this,” she said.
Mrs. Bola Jamgbadi, the Northern Regional Coordinator of KCF, stated that the aim of the Foundation is to put smiles on the faces of the children and remind them that hope is stronger than fear. “These young warriors fight difficult battles every day with courage beyond their age, and today we want them to know they are not alone,” she said.
Beneficiaries of the support, such as Mrs. Anthonia Kingsley and Mrs. Amaka Ugbor, expressed relief and gratitude for the financial assistance provided by KCF, which eases the burden on families with children undergoing treatment for cancer. Since its establishment in 2012 and registration in 2013, KindNest Care Foundation has expanded its humanitarian interventions across several states, supporting vulnerable children, hospital patients, correctional institutions, orphanages, and care homes.