A breast cancer survivor and founder of the Patbelle Hope Foundation, Patricia Isabella Essel, has donated a wide range of medical supplies and equipment to the National Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to improve cancer treatment services.
The presentation last Friday formed part of the foundation’s commitment to improving the care and experience of cancer patients undergoing treatment at the centre.
Items donated were one Infrared vein finder, one P10 VeinSpy hand-held vein finder, two Tynor cure wheelchairs, 10 packs of Chemo/migraine cool caps, Digital blood pressure monitor with cuffs and stand, two packs of cold therapy socks and gloves, 50 boxes of surgical face masks, 20 boxes of latex examination gloves, four disposable aprons, 10 packs of cotton wool, 30 boxes of IV catheters, Nurses caps, liquid soap, 22 patient medicine containers among others.
Experience
Speaking during the donation, Ms Essel recounted her challenging journey through breast cancer treatment at the KBTH, explaining that her experience inspired her to support other patients.
She said one of the items she struggled with was a vein finder, which made chemotherapy sessions painful and sometimes prolonged when nurses had difficulty locating veins.
“When I was taking my chemotherapy, there were things I wished I had which were not available, including a vein finder. I promised God that if I completed my chemotherapy, I would find whichever means possible to get a vein finder so life would be more comfortable for others,” she said.
She added that through a 120-kilometre charity walk she undertook in October, she was able to raise funds, largely from friends and loved ones, to procure several of the donated items.
Commitment
Ms Essel further explained that although her foundation is still undergoing formal registration, she believed support should not wait, especially when it has the potential to ease the burden of vulnerable patients.
She reiterated her commitment to expanding the foundation’s outreach and supporting breast cancer awareness and early detection efforts.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Centre, the Head of Nursing and Oncology Nurse Specialist, Dr Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, praised Ms Essel for her courage and generosity, as many patients required not only medical care but also emotional and psychosocial support.
She expressed gratitude to the foundation for the donation to make life comfortable for other patients.
“We are really grateful that she is advocating for other patients and making life comfortable for them.
This will go a long way to help us, even to reduce the painful punching patients sometimes endure when veins are difficult to find,” she said.
A consultant in Radiation and Clinical Oncology at the Centre, Dr Hannah Naa Gogwe Ayettey, also commended the gesture, describing it as an example of how survivors can contribute to awareness creation and better outcomes for others.
