Abdulbasit Kassim, a Nigerian scholar based in the United States, has unveiled an endowment fund to aid cancer patients at two prominent Nigerian universities, Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife. The fund’s inaugural endowment of two million naira (N2,000,000) is a tribute to Dr. Stacy Lee Ware, Mr. Kassim’s primary care physician, who tragically passed away while battling cancer.
In a heartfelt statement shared with Media Talk Africa, Mr. Kassim emphasized that the endowment aims to commemorate the exceptional care provided by Dr. Ware during her tenure as the former director of Rice University Student Health Services. She was known for her remarkable ability to diagnose rare diseases in their early stages, substantially improving the prognoses of numerous students.
The fund serves as a testament to Dr. Ware’s unwavering support and exceptional care for students grappling with cancer at Rice University. It also honors the dedicated healthcare professionals, including oncologists, physicians, anesthesiologists, fellows, resident doctors, physician assistants, pharmacists, nurses, medical assistants, and caregivers, who deliver quality cancer care services to patients.
The establishment of the cancer support fund by a cancer survivor reflects a deep commitment to supporting students from all disciplines – both STEM and non-STEM – who face cancer diagnoses necessitating a pause in their studies to undergo essential medical care such as cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other vital services.
Mr. Kassim expressed his ambition to further bolster the cancer support fund, extending its reach to encompass students receiving treatments at additional university teaching hospitals in forthcoming phases.
Students seeking assistance from the fund are encouraged to reach out to Abdulbasit Kassim via email at moc.liamg@evihcrakabludba, providing essential details such as their name, course of study, institution, type and stage of their cancer diagnosis, and the teaching hospital where they are undergoing treatment. Additionally, they should include the contact information of a referral at the teaching hospital, preferably an oncologist, who can verify their diagnosis and treatment plan.
While Mr. Kassim acknowledged that the fund may not cover all expenses, he affirmed that disbursements would be based on the information provided, with each case evaluated individually.
The initiative stands as a beacon of hope and solidarity, demonstrating the power of compassion and resilience in the face of adversity.
