Jimia Yusuf: Why fighting cancer is my passion

The state of cancer care in Kenya is fraught with challenges, particularly for children battling the disease.

Many families face a heartbreaking struggle to secure basic necessities while commuting to hospitals, leaving them vulnerable and without support.

The FadlCarda Leukemia Foundation emerges as a beacon of hope, offering not only accommodation but also food and transport for caregivers.

Despite their commendable efforts, including outreach programmes and funding initiatives, issues such as late diagnosis and minimal public knowledge about childhood cancer remain significant hurdles.

One of the hardest things for someone fighting cancer is getting accommodation in different towns while they commute to hospitals.

Most are left stranded, deprived of a good place to sleep, eat or even take a warm shower.

It is in such moments that FadlCarda Leukemia Foundation steps in, reaching out and providing a place they can lay their heads until their loved ones are discharged.

The grace of the foundation does not extend only to accommodation, but also provides food, transportation to hospitals across the country.

Jimia Yusuf, one of the founders of the foundation, lives by the mantra “No one fights alone,” reflected on their willingness to give a fighting chance by providing necessities for the patients.

Yusuf, an insurance consultant, narrates how she partnered with Leyla Omar whose son she helped raise funds for.

Omar’s son was diagnosed with Leukemia.

“When I learnt of the son’s condition, I approached her and told her we could try and raise cash from social media, as I had done that to an infant who had three holes in her heart a few years before,” she said.

“Through my Facebook followers, we were able to raise money to take her to India for treatment. Omar jumped in and we were able to raise funds for travel and treatment, and she travelled to India with her oneyear-old for treatment. Unfortunately, Fadl did not make it, he died one month into treatment.”

“She was also faced with the tough choice of repatriating the toddler’s body or burying him in India. She chose the latter. It was an emotional turmoil for her, especially since she came back to heightened rumours that she sacrificed her child,” Yusuf said.

She then did what any normal person would do – boarded a bus from Mombasa and went to Nairobi to meet Omar – to console her for her loss before Leyla left for Garrisa.

Together, they started the foundation. Almost a decade later, Yusuf and Omar through the foundation, have continued to provide support, bridge information gap on childhood cancer and in most cases, walk the journey with parents of children with cancer.

“Lack of early diagnosis is one of the biggest challenges we face, as children often approach us when the disease is at a very late stage,” Yusuf said.

Her efforts have seen her win awards, including the East Africa Nubian Awards - community activism, The Top 35 under 35 by Youth Agenda - health category, Presidents Fellow 2022 by Global Peace Foundation.

One of their key initiatives is the fun day that takes place every September, where they visit the Childhood Cancer ward.

“It is always a lifetime experience for the children and parents. We meet some people who have lost hope, but after a session of dance, games, art and sharing, we end up having so much positivity,” Yusuf said.

The foundation has over the years started different outreaches across the country, partnering with medical experts and facilities in areas such as Garisa, Korogocho, Kibera, Mathare and Changamwe.