Hassan, aged 14, Malawi

Hassan from the Machinga district of Malawi was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) last year. Since then, he and his mother have been in and out of hospital while he receives treatment at QECH, supported by World Child Cancer. They share their story below.

“I first noticed something was wrong with my son in June last year. After being seen at Lilongwe [the local] health centre, we were told they could not treat him there and we were sent to the serious ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre.

When I was told that my child has cancer it caused me great pain.

Before my son received this diagnosis, I had never heard of cancer before and did not know that this could happen to children. However, I had hope when the doctors told me that my child will be treated and will become well again.

We have been in and out of the hospital for the past months. I am a farmer and Hassan is the fifth of my six children. I can’t work on the farm and my husband has to look after the other kids alone while I’m here.

Hassan was last given blood in October 2020 – since then he has just been receiving treatment without being given additional blood. I can tell that my child has been in a lot of pain, especially when we run out of the painkiller drugs.

[After treatment] my child is better now than when we first went to Liwonde. Before he couldn’t sit up and was just lying down. But now he is able to play with his friends.

Hassan says:

“It is very hard to be in the hospital and I miss my friends and school. I play for my school football team as a defender.

I am often in a lot of pain but I feel better than I did before.

When I grow up I would like to be a teacher, just like my teacher who I like so much.”

Malawi is one of the world’s poorest nations, with over half the population living on less than a dollar a day. Without support treatment is not an option for many children with cancer. £30 could support services that enable the accurate diagnosis of two children with cancer in Malawi

Naa’s Story

We first met Naa in 2016 when she was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumour at 7 years old. In 2021 the cancer returned and Naa underwent treatment again. She has battled cancer twice and is now back in school.

Read more

Joseph’s update

We first met Joseph in 2019 after he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Find out more how he is doing after his successful treatment.

Read more

Kayin’s story

Kayin was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He is now working as a carpenter and is feeling happy and strong.

Read more

Rebecca’s Update

Read more about our catch-up with Rebecca after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana six years ago.

Read more

Hassan’s story

14-year-old Hassan from the Machinga district of Malawi was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) last year.

Read more

Discover More Stories…

Naa’s Story

We first met Naa in 2016 when she was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumour at 7 years old. In 2021 the cancer returned and Naa underwent treatment again. She has battled cancer twice and is now back in school.

Read more

Joseph’s update

We first met Joseph in 2019 after he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Find out more how he is doing after his successful treatment.

Read more

Kayin’s story

Kayin was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He is now working as a carpenter and is feeling happy and strong.

Read more

Rebecca’s Update

Read more about our catch-up with Rebecca after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana six years ago.

Read more

Hassan’s story

14-year-old Hassan from the Machinga district of Malawi was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) last year.

Read more

Tiwo’s story

Five years after developing cancer and two years of treatment later, six-year-old Tiwo is doing well

Read more

Franklyn’s Story

Meet Franklyn, now 17, who is fully recovered from cancer and dreams of becoming a doctor to help others

Read more

Rebecca’s Success Story

Rebecca is now able to return to school after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana

Read more

My road to recovery

Prince went on to become a childhood cancer advocate and help many other children just like him when he recovered from leukaemia. Read More

Read more

Estaphanie is excited to start university!

Meet Estaphanie, who is excited to start university after being forced to take time out of school following a cancer diagnosis

Read more

Meet Bulu

Bulu is looking forward to following in his brother’s footsteps getting back on the football field

Read more

Meet Oscar

Oscar was six years old when his mother noticed a swelling on his tummy and took him to a traditional village doctor

Read more
Will you join us?

Together we can close the gap in childhood cancer care.

Fill out the form to download the taster session


    Fill out the form to download the taster session


      Fill out the form to download the taster session


        Fill out the form to download the taster session


          Fill out the form to download the taster session


            Fill out the form to download the taster session


              Fill out the form to download the taster session


                Fill out the form to download the taster session


                  Fill out the form to download the taster session