Avia Vs. WilmsTumour(Cancer)

Hi, my name is Nina and I'm the mother of Avia Sarpong and this is her story of her unexpected fight with cancer.

Avia is a 6-year-old girl who is kind-hearted, strong-willed, socialable and a brave warrior. She is smart and funny and gives the best hugs and kisses.

However, in May 2022, the unexpected happened, she was diagnosed with Wilms Tumour (Kidney Cancer). She spent 6 months at Great Ormond Street Hospital due to multiple complications she suffered during her treatment, including pancreatitis, appendicitis, mucositis, gastrointestinal bleeding, blood infection, fever, weakened immune system, urinary tract bleeding, severe abdominal pain, severe vomiting, and limited mobility, meaning that she was wheelchair bound.

So far, she has had chemotherapy treatment and surgery were her right kidney and her affected lymph nodes were removed. Her tumour showed that she has high risk, stage 3 cancer, which meant that her cancer cells are aggressive and have spread outside her tumour to her lymph nodes. She is currently halfway through her post operative aggressive chemotherapy treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital and has received 3 weeks of Radiotherapy at University College London Hospital. She has frequent blood and platelets transfusions done, due to her weakened immune system.

This has taken a huge toll on the entire family not only financially but also mentally, especially her big brother. We had to give up a lot of important things to support Avia in her cancer journey. We travel frequently to London to attend her appointments and treatments at Great Ormond Street Hospital, however due to our car breaking down in the same month Avia got diagnosed with her cancer, we had to rely solely on public transport, which made it a higher risk for her.

The car has always been an important mode of transport for us due to the lack of transportation in our area. We have applied for the mobility scheme, however this can take between 9 to 12 months for the car being built and with the rise of living costs mobilising from home to hospital, school etc has become very difficult. I would like your support to help us repair our own car so that in the meantime trips for treatments and school drop offs and pick ups can be made a lot easier for Avia and the family especially as we wait for the disability vehicle to be delivered.

The money raised will also help fund Avia with a private Tutor to help with her speech and language delay. Her cancer treatment has made her speech, delay even more and by getting the support of an extra tutor will not only help improve her speech delay but also support her in the education she's been missing out on. An application to Provide has been submitted a year ago but we are still waiting to hear back from a Therapist. 

Even though she is going through this difficult journey, she is a fighter and has not lost her kind-hearted and affectionate spirit. She always tries to put a smile on not only her face but the faces of those around her. She always ensures everyone else is okay, by giving the biggest smiles and hugs to them. She has become a little superstar at the wards she's been in, everyone that comes into contact with her always mention how lovable she is. She is our inspiration to give back to the community.

Through this cause we would like to show our gratitude by gifting “thank-you” hampers and vouchers to healthcare professionals who not only cared and are still caring for Avia at Great Ormond Street Hospital but also to various other hospitals that treat childhood cancer tshow our appreciation of their hard work. The donations will also go towards providing workshops and events for schools, churches and other communities to raise awareness about Wilms Tumour and how to detect it early.

Lastly, I would also like to give donations to two existing charities 1) Is the 'Care for the family' that provides mental health support for parents and their families as well as bereavement support and the 2) is the 'Wilms Tumour Foundation' that provides all the necessary information and support for families and friends going through or have someone currently going through Wilms Tumour.

I thank you all in advance for all the support by sharing this and giving donations. Every little gesture is appreciated. Let’s come together to fight Wilms Tumour.

Thank you!

With love The Sarpong family x

#AviaVsWilmsTumour