Mayeso*, Aged 7, Malawi
Seven-year-old Mayeso* lives in Malawi with his family. He was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma when he was 4.
Found out how supporters like yourself helped Mayeso and his family receive life-changing cancer care and treatment.
Mayeso* fell sick when he was four years old. His mother noticed a swelling in his left cheek and took him to the hospital.
Read Tamara’s* story about her son’s diagnosis here:
“I was at my maternal home assisting my mother. We were harvesting rice in Zomba. As soon as I noted the abnormalities, I went to the nearest health centre. They gave him eye drops because the clinicians suspected eye infection. Mayeso had watery eyes from the eye drops and my mother advised that I return home and do a proper check-up at Queens Central Hospital. There, the doctors did a check-up on him and told me that they found a mass in the left side of his mouth that they suspected to be cancer. They advised that I return on Monday for a proper examination. On Monday at the Oncology Ward, they told me that the disease has progressed to Level 3. He not only had a swelling in the face but an abscess in his stomach.
I was sad. My whole life I had the notion that once someone has cancer they would die. However, a member of staff at the oncology ward would comfort me saying that since my son is young, he has a better chance of surviving. With the medication, he started improving. After 2 months, he was discharged. We would go for scheduled chemotherapy initially and later we returned for regular reviews.
After a year, my son was declared healed. It was a joy to me, all my fears were conquered. My son was young during the process but he still has some memories. During his play, he would pretend to be a nurse inserting cannulas on the wrist of his friends.
I was relieved that the nightmare was over. However, as a parent I still have fears whenever he is sick. I fear that the sickness has returned and this tortures me emotionally.
My family depends on small business for our livelihoods. I used to operate a hairdressing saloon alongside the street of Chilobwe and my husband used to repair cellphones. With the sickness of our son, I closed my shop and my husband worked on and off. After two months of admission, our business collapsed. We had to start back at square one sourcing capital as well as customers. It took a while to bounce back financially. Now, both my husband and I are working again.
While at the hospital, World Child Cancer was providing us with food supplements and the medication was free of charge. We did not pay for any drugs or any consultation with the doctor. During weekends, all the guardians in the ward prepared meals that the hospital provided with support from World Child Cancer.”
We are thankful for the support from the staff as well as the drugs. The play area and screen for watching cartoons at the ward provided comfort to my little one, so he would not miss home too much.
Mayeso is now 7 years old and is living a happy, cancer-free life, just as a child should. With your support, we are helping to ensure a better future for children just like Mayeso.
I am in standard 3 at Chimwankhunda Primary School. I love watching cartoons and driving my toy cars. I want to be a doctor in the future
*Names changed to protect identities
Hearing the news that your child has cancer is devastating. With your help, World Child Cancer is able to provide financial and emotional support to children and their families at diagnosis and beyond, to limit the damage cancer causes.
Uttam’s Story
Meet Uttam – just one of the 662 children as part of our ‘Closing the Cancer Gap’ appeal, including matched funding from the UK Government.
Read moreAlile’s Story
Discover Alile’s journey through cancer as recounted by her mother, from the initial symptoms to diagnosis and treatment.
Read moreNaa’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 moreJoseph’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 moreKayin’s story
Kayin was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He is now working as a carpenter and is feeling happy and strong.
Read moreRebecca’s Update
Read more about our catch-up with Rebecca after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana six years ago.
Read moreDiscover More Stories…
Uttam’s Story
Meet Uttam – just one of the 662 children as part of our ‘Closing the Cancer Gap’ appeal, including matched funding from the UK Government.
Read moreAlile’s Story
Discover Alile’s journey through cancer as recounted by her mother, from the initial symptoms to diagnosis and treatment.
Read moreNaa’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 moreJoseph’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 moreKayin’s story
Kayin was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He is now working as a carpenter and is feeling happy and strong.
Read moreRebecca’s Update
Read more about our catch-up with Rebecca after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana six years ago.
Read moreHassan’s story
14-year-old Hassan from the Machinga district of Malawi was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) last year.
Read moreTiwo’s story
Five years after developing cancer and two years of treatment later, six-year-old Tiwo is doing well
Read moreFranklyn’s Story
Meet Franklyn, now 17, who is fully recovered from cancer and dreams of becoming a doctor to help others
Read moreRebecca’s Success Story
Rebecca is now able to return to school after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana
Read moreMy 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 moreEstaphanie 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 moreMeet Bulu
Bulu is looking forward to following in his brother’s footsteps getting back on the football field
Read moreMeet 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