Pink October is dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer and supporting those affected by it. This month, MAF International’s Guinea team was privileged to help young Grâce Camara quickly access medical care.
Story by Dorine Busoro
“Please, don’t let me die. I want to study and live.”
The video went viral within minutes, touching the hearts of thousands. It showed Grâce Camara, a 15-year-old girl from the Forest Region, tearfully pleading for the chance to return to school like other students.
Grâce had already been out of school for two years because of her breast cancer. While it is very rare, breast cancer can even occur in adolescent girls.
“A young man sent me the video,” said Martine Haba, president of the Collective of Hardworking Women of Nzérékoré, an organisation dedicated to defending women’s rights.
“I immediately shared it on our platform and asked: What can we do to help her?”
A few days later, Martine and several other members of the collective travelled to Grâce’s village to offer support to her and her family. After seeing the state of her breast, the entire collective mobilised to find the help she needed.
“We were told that there were oncologists in Conakry who could treat her. All we had to do was get Grâce on the flight,” Martine said.
The MAF team in Guinea flew Grâce from Nzérékoré to the national capital, Conakry, where she is receiving treatment from specialist doctors.
By flying, Grâce avoided a two-day road trip of nearly 1,000 kilometres. Given her condition, the journey would have been very difficult.
All we had to do was get Grâce on the flight
“Without MAF, many of these services would not be available to the people of the Nzérékoré region,” said Santos Kpoghomou, the young man who sent Martine the video of Grâce. “There are many humanitarian emergencies, and we needed an organisation like MAF to help in these situations.”
Grâce is now receiving care from qualified medical professionals. The MAF team is praying for her recovery.