Joseph, Nigeria

FROM GRIEF TO ACTION: A STORY OF MR. JOSEPH VAAKAA.

Late Mbakuran Vaakaa during her life time has no major health challenge apart from amoebic dysentery and peptic ulcer until sometime in August, 2018 when she started complaining of pains in her lower abdomen. At the General Hospital Adikpo Benue State – Nigeria, the healthcare professional said her problem was an evolving pile, after a period of treatment, the problem persisted and she was referred to another hospital (Federal Medical Centre Makurdi Benue State – Nigeria) where the doctors actually suspected cancer and ordered for cancer test but according to doctors, the result returned negative but the problem persisted with more symptoms including bloody stool, loss of weight and bloating. 

Several other tests were carried out to ascertain her cancer status but were blamed on one reason or the other for not producing the desired result until in 2020,when the result came out positive for colon cancer (stage iv), at this time the cancer had already metastasized. All efforts including chemotherapies and Ostomy surgery etc ended in futility as she finally answered the divine call of her creator on Tuesday 11th October, 2022. 

The journey was a challenging one indeed because I had heard about cancer generally with a few types such as breasts, prostate and liver cancer but never heard of colon cancer until my mother’s ordeal. So I lacked basic knowledge on colon cancer and relied on what the doctors were saying. If I had known, I would had taken more proactive actions when the symptoms persisted rather than relying on doctors who kept diagnosing her with various ailments like amoebic dysentery, pile etc. 

This became a source of encouragement for me to start looking for resources/materials about colon cancer. While my mother was still struggling with her life at the hospital, I started raising awareness about colon cancer in my community because just like me, I believed there were other persons/families whose members might be experiencing what my mother was going through but due to knowledge gap, they maybe treating other ailments with similar symptoms to colon cancer. My theme have always been “prevention is better than cure” and the most effective way to prevent is to be informed. 

As at then, I was a casual staff with Benue State Internal Revenue Service earning very little but had to dedicate 40% of my salary for awareness and sensitization on colon cancer at various worship centres, IDP Camps, government offices, schools and women meetings. During the course of the awareness, I discovered that people have different views (myths and misconception) about cancer, some said cancer is for the rich only, while others said colon cancer is only for those who indulge in anal sex(this has been a major factor as to why most colon cancer patients fail to speak up when they notice symptoms) while others believe cancer is caused by witches and wizards etc. this discovery was a major catalyst for me to intensify awareness till 2022 when my mother died. I then decided to turn my grief to action by registering a cancer foundation in her name “Mbakuran Vaakaa Cancer (MVC) Foundation” with the aim to educate, increase public awareness and sensitize the general public about cancer and other dreadful illnesses and cater for the wellbeing of the infected/affected persons as most of those infected die as a result of knowledge gap/lack of care and timely treatment.

MVC Foundation is registered with Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria and is a member of Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA) and African Hepatitis B Advocacy Coalition (AHBAC).

VISION: 

MVC Foundation envision a future where cancer and other dreadful diseases that escalate death will be mitigated and people living with these illnesses will not be preyed with fear of death or discrimination. 

MISSION: 

To improve the living condition of people infected/affected with cancer and other dreadful diseases and the general public through proper sensitization, treatment, care and capacity building aim at reducing their morbidity and mortality rate.

Since its establishment, MVC Foundation has been working tirelessly to bridge the knowledge gap by carrying out the following activities as detailed below:

1. Awareness: the foundation has organized several outreach to educate the general public about cancer and other illnesses like hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, hypertension etc, their risk factors, symptoms, prevention and the benefits of early detection.
2. Screening: We provide free screening for Colorectal Cancer (FOBT), Cervical Cancer, HIV, Hepatitis (B&C) and free BP check to the general Public.
3. Distribution of Items: MVC Foundation distribute items such as Cancer Educational posters/flyers & stickers, Colostomy Bags, Menstrual Hygiene materials, toiletries, hand gloves/cannula, Condoms etc to cancer patients/survivors, hospital facilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), students etc.
4. Advocate for Policy Change: MVC Foundation advocates for policy changes and reforms to improve access to cancer care, including screening, diagnosis and treatment particularly at the local level.
5. Support Services: the foundation provide counselling services to cancer patients/survivors and their families to address emotional and psychological needs and also offer material support such as toiletries, hand gloves/cannula etc to manage pain and improve quality of life.
6. Patients Navigation: to help cancer patients navigate the healthcare system including helping them to access affordable treatment options and advocate for their rights.
7. World Cancer Day 2025: MVC Foundation commemorated 2025 World Cancer Day in Benue State, first of its kind in the North Central Region of Nigeria. The event started by 9am on Tuesday the 4th of February, 2025 with a cancer walk from High-Level Underpass to Swange Cinema, Wurukum Market Makurdi. During the cancer walk, jingles on different types of cancers were played, educational posters, stickers and flyers were shared, banners and placards carrying messages on cancer were also displayed for public view, free cancer screening of Colorectal Cancer, Hepatitis B&C and Cervical cancer was carried out after the cancer walk at Swange Wurukum Market in Makurdi Benue State. 

Please note: all these activities listed above are carried out both in rural and urban areas at various facilities, schools, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, worship centers, markets, government establishments and communities including hard-to-reach areas in Benue State with the aim to achieve early detection so as to reduce morbidity and mortality rate.

CHALLENGES 
Our challenges include Operational Vehicles and Funding.

In rural and hard-to-reach areas of Benue State, limited awareness and persistent myths about cancer continue to hinder early detection efforts. Reaching these communities requires consistent sensitization activities, but the organization currently does not have suitable operational vehicles to navigate difficult terrain.

Limited ressources has remain my major challenge. It has been challenging to carryout programs and activities in remote areas, even after outreach to various partners.

In 2024, I got my first support from Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA) through her CRC Health Equity Grant on the title “Increase awareness for voluntary screening of Colorectal Cancer as a catalyst for early detection and prevention in Benue State – Nigeria”. 

With my target to achieve early detection, we carried out intensive awareness on CRC, partnered with Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi and secured an office space at the hospital premises to provide emotional support to cancer patients and their families through counseling, offer palliative care and free screening of CRC for people aged 45 and above and those with the existing symptoms/family history below 45 years. The increased public awareness led to higher-than-expected turnout. However, sustaining the screening services after the project concluded has been challenging due to limited availability of screening kits.

CONCLUSION

As I look back on the journey of my mother with colon cancer, I am reminded that life is precious and fragile. The darkest moments were filled with fear and uncertainty, but they also taught me resilience, gratitude and the importance of living in the present. I am grateful for the loved ones who supported us, the medical team who fought for my mother and the lessons learned along the way. My experience has given me a new perspective on life, and I am committed to sharing this story to inspire others to join hands with me in the fight against cancer and prioritize their health and never underestimate the power of early detection. As an organization, we say thank you to Global Colon Cancer Association, we wouldn’t have achieved all we did in 2024 without your support. 

Thank you,

Joseph Vaakaa