Meru breast cancer survivors get prosthesis breasts, bras

A well-wisher from Republic or Ireland has donated prosthesis breasts and bras worth Sh8 million to 235 women in Meru who have had surgery to remove their breast due to cancer. 

Mary Keane said she will work towards restoring hope and rehabilitation for patients who have had mastectomies.

She said a similar trip to Ghana last year made her discover how breast cancer patients in Africa need prosthesis breast and bras.

“The women in Ghana told me receiving prosthesis breast and bras was like a gift from God, I am so excited to have the opportunity to offer restoration to these patients and also utilise the items donated by Irish women,” she said.

She started the campaign in summer last year and collected 235 prostheses since October in Ireland, adding that the items were donated by individuals and hospitals.

She said in Ireland,  all breast cancer patients are entitled to one breast prosthesis and two mastectomy bras every year for free.

“Some women said they wanted to offer new breast prosthesis and mastectomy bras to the patients so that they could feel what Irish women have felt,” she said.

Keane said she chose to start an initiative after noticing gaps.

“During my visit to Ghana last year there were cancer patients who had no money to buy pain killers.” 

She said she had to take a break from her work in Ireland to do the charity work to be able to put smiles on breast cancer patients in Meru and Africa.

Meru Hospice coordinator Gladys Mucee who is also a palliative care nurse said they were pleased to receive the donation, adding that Meru is leading in breast cancer in the country.

“At the moment we do not have the exact figure but on average we have more than 500 women who have been diagnosed with it,” Mucee said.

He said breast cancer is also in men and it is very alarming as the cancer cells eats the internal organs and cause death.

Mucee said it is hard for a woman to live without breasts and they are doing all they can to restore their dignity and confidence.

“Those who have lost breasts to cancer may face low self esteem and we talk to them and help them as much as we can financially and emotionally,” Mucee said.

She said they will be having a three-day to talk to the patients.

Maingi Mugambi a member of board of Meru Hospice, thanked the well wisher for the donation saying it goes a long way as they would not have afforded to buy them for the patients.

“Cancer is a disease which medical experts are yet to get a cure or vaccine but it is not a death sentence. People who have cancer can still live with it the only problem is that it is too costly,” Maingi said.

Nana Kilemi, founder of Needy Cancer Health Initiative who is a breast cancer survivor, said the foundation seeks such donations and grants for vulnerable and needy cancer patients especially in Meru where breast cancer is high.

“We want to thank all the Irish women and Mary Keane for the donation we are very grateful,” she said.

Nana said the government is not doing enough to help cancer patients who need medical attention such as chemotherapy, proper diet and counselling. She said despite the organisation being just  a year old, they have 1,000 cancer patients who are unable to pay NHIF and are seeking their support.

“That is why we are chipping in to help the long list we have of cancer patients who are waiting for us to pay their NHIF. Even after we pay their NHIF the time taken to have them eligible for treatment is really long,” he said.

She said the country loses seven women to breast cancer according to Nation Cancer Institute and urged the government to change policies to help cancer patients.