Nigerians donate to cancer patient

THE Association of Nigerians in Zimbabwe (ANZ) on Wednesday donated $700 to cancer patient Bridget Mandimutsira of Mabvuku, Harare.

ANZ president Mr Dominic Okechukwu Okunwa said as an association they were touched when they saw the story of Bridget on television.

“We have given this girl a donation,” he said. “We believe this amount will help the family and will assist in meeting health expenses.

“It is our objective to give back to the society where we live no matter how small the amount is. We are being driven by our motto which says ‘Love, unity and progress’

“We believe Bridget’s family will give her a very good treatment because she deserves a very good treatment and the right to live.”

Mr Okunwa urged Zimbabweans to assist Bridget and other people in such a situation. Bridget’s mother, Mrs Benedict Mandimutsira, said she was grateful for the assistance by ANZ.

“I am very happy and I cannot express my gratitude to the ANZ for their donation,” she said. “I was not expecting it. I had no hope, but I have seen that God is able to perform miracles.

“Here in Zimbabwe and South Africa, the doctors failed to treat her. They said she must stay home and get help from palliative doctors to control her pain. We were referred to St Thomas Hospital in the United Kingdom and the hospital requires $30 000.”

Mrs Mandimutsira said she was in the process of providing a playroom for Bridget as her condition did not allow her to play outside.

“Food for Bridget is very expensive because she is not able to chew,” she said. “The medicine to wash her wounds also costs a lot of money. Her father does not work, so I go to Zambia and buy clothes for resell so that I can sustain the family and at the same time making sure that Bridget’s medicine is available. Sometimes it is difficult to cope with the situation.”

Mrs Mandimutsira still hopes to take Bridget to the UK for treatment.