Keeping cancer a secret killed my sister: Batimala
“I do miss her and I hope that people realise cancer is a disease that is not to be kept secret, we can help save you,” she said.
One year ago, gospel singer Rosie Batimala and her relatives went through the rituals and formalities for a funeral service and laid her younger sister to rest.
Effie Batimala succumbed to cervical cancer three months after being diagnosed by her doctor at the age of 37. But because she was scared, Effie kept it a secret for almost two months she did not even go for her medical treatment and possible operation. As Ms Batimala marks her one year of passing away on her birthday, she believes her message was critical for cancer patients.
“Go to the doctor, do not keep it a secret but seek medical help and live for your family, we want to live with you too,” Ms Batimala said referring to her sister who would have had a chance at life if she had opened up about the fatal disease. Ms Batimala is campaigning against cancer.
“She kept her sickness a secret and later opted for herbal medicine and kept telling me not to leave her alone,” she said. “But we could not help her but keep praying for her after we came to know of it. If she had told me earlier, I would have taken her for medical treatment.”
Ms Batimala currently does voluntary work trying to help kids, inmates, and people who need help and counseling after her sister passed away.
“Effie was the only family here as all my other siblings are abroad and I spend most of my time trying to help people. I do miss her and I hope that people realise cancer is a disease that is not to be kept secret, we can help save you,” she said.
She urged people who were involved directly or through an affected family member to speak out.