Let's help Paulin beat cancer
Paulin is a 28-year-old boy living in one of the Pope John XXIII Community's shelters in Cameroon. He underwent surgery for a malignant tumor in his back and now faces a long and expensive course of chemotherapy, radiation, and drugs to prevent the tumor from metastasizing to other organs. The amount needed to save Paulin's life is at least €7,000. Your help is essential to give him back the hope and the future he struggles to build every day.
Paulin is 28 years old and lives in a shelter of the Pope John XXIII Community in Bafoussam, Cameroon. He was taken in when he was a 10-year-old boy, alone, frightened and just out of juvenile detention. In Bafoussam there is a ward of the prison dedicated to children, actually a playground, a place that, however, is often the only salvation for the little ones living on the streets: in fact, if they are caught stealing from the market out of hunger, the risk is that they will be beaten to death.
Paulin was born into a very vulnerable family: he is one of many children of a woman with mental retardation, often abused by those who took advantage of her and struggling to care for their children.
Despite such a painful beginning, Paulin has accomplished an extraordinary human journey. He is currently completing his studies: his greatest dream is to become an educator; in the meantime, he has become a point of reference within the home: in fact, every day he lends a hand in caring for the 25 children and youth housed there.
In early March, Paulin unfortunately discovered that he had a large abscess on his back. Initial examinations made one of the biggest fears speculate that it was a tumor. Thanks to the generosity of some donors and volunteers from our mission in Cameroon, it was possible to have him undergo emergency surgery, but unfortunately, the histological examination confirmed the diagnosis that it was hoped would never come: it was a malignant tumor, a grade 2 myxoid fibrosarcoma, which affects soft tissue.
The good news, a hope he can still cling to, is that current screenings show no metastases. Paulin can make it, but he definitely needs your help.
Saving Paulin's life requires going through a complex and expensive medical journey, in a country where the right to health and treatment is paid for dearly. Here are the possible steps once the necessary funds are raised:
- Radiation therapy: as soon as the surgical wound has healed, Paulin must begin radiation therapy. In all of Cameroon there are only two machines for this treatment, both in the capital. Paulin will have to move to Douala for a full month, facing daily sessions;
- Monitoring (CT): After radiotherapy, a new Computed Tomography scan will be needed to make sure the tumor has not spread;
- Targeted drug therapy: Based on the results of a specific examination, Paulin will need to take targeted oncology drugs for 3-6 months to block the growth of cancer cells. If the test result is compatible, the possibility of obtaining this medication free of charge will exist. If not, he will have to use an alternative one and pay the associated costs.
Making a total calculation of all the medical expenses, travel and stay to carry out the treatment, the amount needed to save Paulin is at least €7,000.
An important amount, but also small when you think that it can save the life of a boy who has already suffered so much and now just wants to fulfill himself and dedicate himself to others, including through his future work as an educator. Help us not to leave him alone right now. Every little contribution can give him back the future he is trying so hard to build every day.
You can also donate by bank transfer or postal bulletin.
IBAN: IT04 X030 6909 6061 0000 0008 036
POSTAL ACCOUNT: 12148417
Both payable to: Pope John XXIII Community Association
Reason to specify: 26R013 medical expenses Paulin
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7,000 €
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Paulin is 28 years old and lives in a shelter of the Pope John XXIII Community in Bafoussam, Cameroon. He was taken in when he was a 10-year-old boy, alone, frightened and just out of juvenile detention. In Bafoussam there is a ward of the prison dedicated to children, actually a playground, a place that, however, is often the only salvation for the little ones living on the streets: in fact, if they are caught stealing from the market out of hunger, the risk is that they will be beaten to death.
Paulin was born into a very vulnerable family: he is one of many children of a woman with mental retardation, often abused by those who took advantage of her and struggling to care for their children.
Despite such a painful beginning, Paulin has accomplished an extraordinary human journey. He is currently completing his studies: his greatest dream is to become an educator; in the meantime, he has become a point of reference within the home: in fact, every day he lends a hand in caring for the 25 children and youth housed there.
In early March, Paulin unfortunately discovered that he had a large abscess on his back. Initial examinations made one of the biggest fears speculate that it was a tumor. Thanks to the generosity of some donors and volunteers from our mission in Cameroon, it was possible to have him undergo emergency surgery, but unfortunately, the histological examination confirmed the diagnosis that it was hoped would never come: it was a malignant tumor, a grade 2 myxoid fibrosarcoma, which affects soft tissue.
The good news, a hope he can still cling to, is that current screenings show no metastases. Paulin can make it, but he definitely needs your help.
Saving Paulin's life requires going through a complex and expensive medical journey, in a country where the right to health and treatment is paid for dearly. Here are the possible steps once the necessary funds are raised:
- Radiation therapy: as soon as the surgical wound has healed, Paulin must begin radiation therapy. In all of Cameroon there are only two machines for this treatment, both in the capital. Paulin will have to move to Douala for a full month, facing daily sessions;
- Monitoring (CT): After radiotherapy, a new Computed Tomography scan will be needed to make sure the tumor has not spread;
- Targeted drug therapy: Based on the results of a specific examination, Paulin will need to take targeted oncology drugs for 3-6 months to block the growth of cancer cells. If the test result is compatible, the possibility of obtaining this medication free of charge will exist. If not, he will have to use an alternative one and pay the associated costs.
Making a total calculation of all the medical expenses, travel and stay to carry out the treatment, the amount needed to save Paulin is at least €7,000.
An important amount, but also small when you think that it can save the life of a boy who has already suffered so much and now just wants to fulfill himself and dedicate himself to others, including through his future work as an educator. Help us not to leave him alone right now. Every little contribution can give him back the future he is trying so hard to build every day.
You can also donate by bank transfer or postal bulletin.
IBAN: IT04 X030 6909 6061 0000 0008 036
POSTAL ACCOUNT: 12148417
Both payable to: Pope John XXIII Community Association
Reason to specify: 26R013 medical expenses Paulin
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