By Ademola Ade
A three-year-old girl, Rokeebat Akinola, is battling rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, with her mother appealing to Nigerians and other well-meaning individuals to help raise N4.5 million for further treatment and surgery.
Rokeebat is currently receiving treatment at Crestline Hospital, Idi-Ope Bus Stop, opposite the Electronic Market, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Her mother, 36-year-old Ayishat Akinola, a fashion designer, said the family first noticed the problem about a month ago when Rokeebat’s abdomen began to swell rapidly.
“I noticed towards the end of last month that her belly was swelling, and I acted fast by taking her to the hospital,” Ayishat said.
“The tummy was just getting bigger quickly and becoming very hard. We went to the Global Medical Centre at Apata, where we were told that it was inside her bladder.”
According to Ayishat, Rokeebat later underwent her first surgery about three weeks ago at a cost of N500,000. However, she said the growth returned after the procedure.
“She had her first surgery three weeks ago, and we spent N500,000 on it. Unfortunately, the growth came back,” she said.
The family subsequently moved to Crestline Hospital, where Rokeebat is undergoing further treatment. Ayishat said the cost of the required treatment and surgery had become difficult for the family to meet.
“The pain is too much for her. It is very painful for me as a mother to watch my child go through this,” she said.
Ayishat, who is married to 40-year-old Olawale Akinola, a transporter, said the family had already spent a significant amount on Rokeebat’s treatment and could not raise the additional N4.5 million without assistance.
She said she also has three other children, aged 13, 11 and seven.
“I am appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to please help us save my daughter’s life. We have already spent N500,000 on the first surgery, and the growth came back,” she said.
“We need N4.5 million now for her further treatment. We cannot raise this amount alone, and any amount anyone can contribute will go a long way in helping us.”
Ayishat added, “I just want my daughter to get the treatment she needs and come back home healthy. I am begging Nigerians to help us.”
If you are touched by her story please send your donations to GTBank account, Account Name: Ayishat Tijani Opeyemi, Account Number: 0549121142, OPay, Account Name: Ayishat Tijani Opeyemi, Account Number: 9033854820 or call Ayishat on 09033854820.
