The Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Lagos is one of Nigeria’s premier hospitals for treating childhood cancer. Many parents and caregivers travel from across Nigeria to seek treatment here. During the diagnosis and treatment period, they would often face very long waits to get results without a place to stay near Lagos. According to Past District Governor (PDG) Kema Benedicta Ashibuogwu, “Many children diagnosed with cancer come from outside Lagos State and do not have relatives or friends to stay with during diagnosis and treatment. Often, even when cancer is identified and could be operated on to save a child, parents or caregivers end up abandoning treatment and leaving the hospital due to the uncomfortable conditions they face, such as staying in car parks or along corridors for days without bathing.”
My hope is that many children with cancer will survive due to consistent treatment, and their families will find renewed hope for the future.
These circumstances have led to so many avoidable deaths and District 404B1 Lions wanted to put an end to it. They received a US$147,038 Childhood Cancer Grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) to construct a caregiver facility with 22 en-suite rooms, ensuring a comfortable stay for the children and their families. The idea for the center originated from a request by Professor Edamisan O. Temiye of the Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Lagos. During one of the Lions club’s visits, PDG Ashibuogwu asked Professor Temiye about the children’s most urgent need, and he mentioned the essential need of a caregiver home to lower the death rate and ensure proper treatment and care for the children while their caregivers stay nearby. PDG Ashibuogwu says, “My hope is that many children with cancer will survive due to consistent treatment, and their families will find renewed hope for the future.”
This building, constructed next to the newly built oncology chemotherapy building by the federal government, has 22 en-suite rooms and a playroom for children. The rooms have their own beds, bathrooms and kitchen areas, providing a restful and comfortable environment for patients and their families. This facility is the first of its kind in the area and will benefit the community greatly, serving approximately 180 people per month, including patients, families, friends and educators. “The establishment of the caregiver home at FMC has been highly praised, with many expressing their appreciation to LCIF for the enormous support and relief it will provide to families and children undergoing treatment,” says PDG Ashibuogwu.
These outcomes show just how much grant-funded service projects can change entire communities for the better. As Lions and Leos continue to act with compassion, LCIF will support their efforts through meaningful grant opportunities, expanding the number of beneficiaries Lions are able to serve worldwide.
Visit lionsclubs.org/GrantsToolkit to explore different grant types and learn which one will be most effective for your club’s next project.
Shelby Washington is the content specialist at Lions Clubs International Foundation.
