“With a port, my child could run and play again between treatments.
It gave us our lives back.”

—Parent of a child served by our campaign partner

A PORT OR PICC LINE CHANGES EVERYTHING.

Ports and PICC lines are medical devices that can make cancer care much easier. This campaign is raising funds for PICC lines for children in treatment at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the largest of its kind in Ghana.

The target amount of $5,700 will pay for 10 PICC lines and associated hospital costs.

Your gift of any amount makes a difference in the lives of children affected by cancer and their families. Contributions are secure, tax-deductible in accordance with laws and deeply appreciated.

The ISSUE:

In Ghana, most children in chemotherapy suffer repeated unnecessary trauma.

Chemotherapy requires multiple rounds of medications delivered into the bloodstream through a vein, as well as frequent blood draws. This means repeated needle sticks that are harder to bear or occur more frequently than usual for a child with fragile veins and/or veins that are hard to find.

“When you enter the pediatric cancer ward, you have to pass the procedure room. For hours, you hear children screaming as nurses search for veins. Veins get damaged, children are left bedridden, and sometimes—in desperation in one case—a vein on the side of the child’s head was used.”

—Aku Sarpong; Executive Director, Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana

A Simple Solution:

A peripherally inserted central catheter, or PICC line for short.

A PICC line is a thin, flexible tube that once inserted into the body can stay in place for weeks or months. This means that instead of enduring repeated needle sticks, children getting chemotherapy have a single and gentle access point for recurring medical procedures.

What this means for a child with cancer:

• Less trauma and pain, thanks to a long-term intervention.
• More protection for fragile veins, and more strength as a result.
• More mobility during treatment.
• More freedom to laugh, play and keep living while they heal!

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS:

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Korle Bu is the largest teaching hospital in Ghana. The Pediatric Oncology Unit admits 260–280 new childhood cancer cases every year. With 26 inpatient beds, 8 daycare beds and an outreach nursing team, it is Ghana’s leading center for pediatric cancer care.

Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana (LCCG)

LCCG is the fundraising foundation partner of Korle Bu’s pediatric oncology unit. The organization is committed to bridging disparities in cancer treatment and giving every child a chance at safe, dignified care.