Korle Bu facilitate groundbreaking treatment for 2 kids

Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana, in collaboration with Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has announced a historic milestone: two children battling cancer in Ghana have been transported to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the USA to undergo complex surgeries and treatment for cancer. This is the first of its kind in West Africa.

The surgeries, to be performed by specialist surgeons from St Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, are fully funded by St Jude Children’s Hospital. This partnership underscores the strength of the St Jude Global Alliance, Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to advance paediatric cancer care for children living with Cancer in Ghana.

The St Jude Global Alliance through its partnerships with institutions across the globe works to improve the survival rates of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases, worldwide, through the sharing of knowledge, technology and organizational skills.

Speaking on the initiative, Ms. Akua Sarpong, Executive Director Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana, expressed her elation at securing this life-changing opportunity for the two children in urgent need of treatment.

“St Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a beacon of hope for pediatric cancer patients worldwide as they cater for the most complex cancer cases around the world. Their mission aligns perfectly with ours, as we strive to ensure that children with cancer regardless of their background receive the specialized medical services and support they need to survive,” said Ms. Sarpong.

She emphasized Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana’s commitment to raising funds and awareness to advance paediatric cancer care and improve survival rates for children with cancer in Ghana.

In addition, Ms. Sarpong appealed for support for the fundraising efforts of Lifeline for Childhood Cancer, which serves as the fundraising foundation partner of the Paediatric Oncology unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana (LCCG), the fundraising foundation partner of the paediatric oncology unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, is a non-profit organization dedicated to making cancer control a national health priority, facilitating and increasing access to optimal medical care/treatment for children with cancer, providing support to affected families, creating awareness among the general public, promoting capacity building in childhood cancer for health workers and advocating for accessible high quality diagnostic and treatment facilities in Ghana. With the support from partners and donors including World Child Cancer, Corporate Ghana and Individuals, In 2023, Lifeline for Childhood Cancer support 572 children with diagnostic services, 324 in treatment and payment of chemotherapy drugs and 505 families with transport fares to continue treatment. Currently, the organization is completing a new 40 Bed Paediatric Oncology Treatment Centre in the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to complement the existing bed space and facilities to ensure that many more children with cancer have a chance for better survival and outcomes.