Talent Gore
SAMANTHA Ndebele is seeking US$40 000 to take her 14-year-old daughter, Ashley Sibanda, to India for an operation to remove a cancerous tumour in her mouth.
Ashley was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma of the mandible after an operation in December, which did not completely remove the tumour.
She now needs to go for treatment where her lower jaw will be removed and reconstruction surgery done.
The US$40 000 will cover surgery costs, travel and accommodation for Ashley and her mother.
Ashley, who was in Form 1 at Nyanda High School, has stopped going to school due to her condition.
Ndebele is appealing for help to raise funds for the treatment.
“It started as a small tooth that was growing where she already had another tooth, so we took her to a dental clinic and they removed the extra tooth,” Ndebele said.
“After the operation, a lump developed and I thought it would go away, but I became worried when it kept on growing, and took her to Mpilo Hospital where they told me she had cancer,” said Ndebele.
She said Ashley was currently taking antibiotics and pain relievers to manage the condition as the pain sometimes becomes unbearable.
“I don’t even know how I will manage to raise the funds needed for her to go to India because I am a single parent surviving on vending.
“This has forced me to stop vending to attend to her. A GoFundMe account has been created by my relatives to try and raise money to go to India,” said Ndebele.
Ndebele said doctors had advised her that the bone with cancer cells should be removed and replaced with another bone from her body.
She said seeing her daughter in pain breaks her heart as she is still young.
“I’m asking for help to get my daughter to get treatment so that she can resume her studies like other kids. She still has a future, please help Ashley get her smile back,” Ndebele said.
Well-wishers can reach Ndebele on 0772 775 185 or 0781837030.