A couple from Turi village, Molo Sub County, who are suffering from cancer, are appealing to well-wishers to help them cater for a huge medical bill arising from their treatment.
The couple also has children who need to continue with their education.
David Maina is suffering from throat cancer, stage three, while his wife Beatrice Maina is battling breast cancer, stage two.
“It started as persistent throat pain in 2018. I thought it could fade away after taking pain killers and traditional herbs, but that was never the case,” said David.
“When the condition persisted, I resolved to visit the Molo Sub-County Hospital for a medical check-up. I sensed danger when I was referred to Kenyatta Referral Hospital, where my fear was confirmed. I had throat cancer,” he added.
Maina, who could not hold back his tears, narrated to the press how he was forced to dispose of his valuables, including land and shop in a desperate effort to save his life as he was the family’s breadwinner.
“Cancer can kill the hope in you by clearing all your investments and valuable assets. We now depend on neighbours for survival,” Maina narrated.
In 2020, Maina, who was a known shopkeeper and farmer in Molo, was forced to dispose of all his valuables in a desperate effort to raise money for medication and regular chemotherapy.
Two years down the line, his wife, Beatrice Maina, was also diagnosed with breast cancer at the Molo Sub-County Referral Hospital. This moved the family’s health and economic status from bad to worse.
“When I heard persistent sharp pain in my left breast, I decided to go for screening to clear my doubts, I was also diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. I could not hold my tears. This was the time my daughter was in form four,” said Beatrice.
“The dream of my daughter, who scored a C plain in her KCSE in 2023, to be a nurse has been reduced to tears as she has been forced to shoulder the family responsibility at her tender age. She goes for casual jobs to pay school fees for her siblings, besides ensuring we get transport to the hospital for checkups,” she added.
The Maina family is appealing to Kenyans to donate money to support them with regular medical expenses even as they call on any well-wisher to offer a scholarship for their daughters as they can’t even afford to buy them books.
Any support can be sent through his telephone number -0710294938- David Maina.
By Absalom Namwalo
