Watsi

Success! Agnes from Kenya raised $1,110 to fund breast cancer treatment.

100%

$1,110 raised, $0 to go

$1,110

raised

to go

Fully funded

Agnes's treatment was fully funded on February 25, 2022.

Agnes's story
Agnes's update

Photo of Agnes post-operation

March 14, 2022

Agnes underwent breast cancer treatment.

Agnes had breast cancer and needed urgent surgery. She underwent a masectomy with support from Watsi. Her surgery went well and doctors termed it successful. She’ll continue to visit the clinic for follow-up care and the medical team is assessing if she may need chemo in the future to protect her from the cancer.

Agnes shared, “I was worried at first but now that I have received the treatment, I hope the disease will be stopped.”

Agnes had breast cancer and needed urgent surgery. She underwent a masectomy with support from Watsi. Her surgery went well and doctors term...

February 10, 2022

Agnes is food vendor in the capital city of Nairobi, Kenya. She shared that she usually earns about $5 a day. Agnes is a widow and lives with her two children who are now grown. Together they live in a one-room house costing about $40 per month. Her medical coverage is not active because she has not been able to pay the monthly premiums with her earnings.

Agnes has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been recommended to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,110 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Agnes. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 11th. After treatment, Agnes will hopefully return to a cancer-free life.

Agnes says, “The news about cancer is still shocking. I have hopes the disease will be stopped from spreading.“

Agnes is food vendor in the capital city of Nairobi, Kenya. She shared that she usually earns about $5 a day. Agnes is a widow and lives wit...

Submitted by

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Agnes's case was submitted by Robert Kariuki at African Mission Healthcare.

Agnes's Timeline

February 10, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Agnes was submitted by Robert Kariuki, Process Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
February 11, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Agnes received treatment at AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
February 14, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Agnes's profile was published to start raising funds.
February 25, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
Agnes's treatment was fully funded.
March 14, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Agnes's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share Agnes's story

Funded by 25 donors

Funded by 25 donors

Treatment

Mastectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $1,110 for Agnes's treatment

Hospital Fees

$779

Medical Staff

$29

Medication

$37

Supplies

$199

Labs

$13

Other

$53

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A mastectomy is a surgery to remove the breast or part of the breast and is usually performed to treat breast cancer. Common symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or swelling in all or part of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling, pain, discharge, redness, and thickening of the skin.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

If breast cancer is not treated, the cancer may spread to other organs, potentially leading to early death. Untreated breast cancer can also lead to pain and infection within the breast.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women in Kenya (34 per 100,000). It has been identified as the number one killer of women aged 35-55 years. Late diagnosis is the main reason for high mortality.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient reports to the hospital, and lab work is done. The following day, the patient goes into the operating room for surgery. The patient stays in the hospital ward for three to seven days. The surgery is considered a success if the wound heals cleanly. The patient is then discharged from the hospital.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

This treatment is curative if the cancer has not spread widely. Usually, this surgery is not performed if the cancer has already spread. Sometimes, doctors are unable to determine if the cancer has spread until they perform post-operative lymph node testing.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

There are very few side effects or risks if the condition is diagnosed and treated before the cancer has spread widely.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

In Africa, there is limited capacity to treat breast cancer. Many cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages due to the limited number of diagnostic and treatment centers.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

For early-stage breast cancer, a “lumpectomy” surgery may be adequate. Additional radiation therapy will be required for cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.

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Bos is a 65-year-old retired rice farmer. She lives in Kompong Cham province in Cambodia and has one sister and one daughter. She lives alone near her sister's house and is supported by her daughter, who works on a nearby farm. About three years ago, Bos developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growth occurs when the conjunctiva is damaged by excessive exposure to the sun, causing abnormal cells to grow over the pupil. This condition impairs Bos' ability to see and function independently. Bos sought care from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. She will need surgery to remove the pterygium, and to receive a conjunctival graft, which should prevent a recurrence. Her procedure is scheduled to take place on January 31st at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Now Bos needs your help to fund the $225 to cover the cost of the procedure. Bos said: "I hope after surgery my eye can feel better and I don't have to worry anymore."

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