Projects
Cameroon (news from the CAI Bulletin - Dec 2003)
Read the latest news about Cameroon
Dr Peter McCormick has recently returned from Cameroon and has reported excellent results in the Burkitt's Lymphoma studies and from the children admitted as part of the programme, 75% are now in remission.
Burkitt's Lymphoma is a particularly nasty form of childhood cancer causing fast growing tumours and is invariably fatal if not treated. However if the disease is caught early enough, patients have an excellent chance of recovery.
"Children suffer terribly disfiguring and painful tumours" says Meggie Szczesny, CAI's Project Manager.
Cost of treatment is often prohibitive for many Cameroon families and poor children miss out on life-saving treatment.
A simple case of Burkitt's Lymphoma, including travel, drugs and in-patient costs is approximately £120, with a more complex case costing just £250.
These costs are relatively low as CAI medical staff do not charge inflated fees.
Peter (above before and after just 15 days of treatment) aged 11 is now well on the road to recovery having received chemotherapy to treat the huge tumours in his neck and face.
On admission Souleman aged 7 was not expected to survive. His tumour was in an advanced stage - a massive tumour in his abdomen.
As Souleman became seriously anaemic Dr Peter McCormick had to resort to using incompatible blood from his mother for 2 emergency transfusions to save his life.
Following three bouts of chemotherapy Souleman has enjoyed a remarkable recovery and has now returned home.
To receive treatment children and their families often have to travel many miles over difficult roads.
Collette aged 5 took a full day to travel over 200 miles by bus for treatment but is now better. Collette's family earn approximately £10 per month and could not afford the £1,000 quoted for treatment in the capital, Yaounde but are now delighted that through our Burkitt's Lymphoma programme, Collette is now in full remission.
