From Grief to Action: The Story of Mr. Joseph Vaakaa

Abdominal Cancers Alliance
Nov 6
3 min read

By Joseph Vaakaa

Nigeria

During her life time, my mother, the late Mbakuran Vaakaa, had no major health challenges,

apart from amoebic dysentery and a peptic ulcer, until sometime in August

2018 when she started complaining of pains in her lower abdomen. At the

General Hospital Adikpo Benue State in Nigeria, the healthcare professional

said her problem was likely hemorrhoids, after a period of treatment, the

problem persisted and she was referred to another hospital (Federal Medical

Centre Makurdi Benue State – Nigeria) where the doctors actually suspected

cancer and ordered for cancer test but according to doctors, the result

returned negative but the problem persisted with more symptoms including

bloody stool, loss of weight, and bloating.

Several tests were carried out to ascertain her cancer status but were

blamed on one reason or the other for not producing the desired result until

in 2020, when the result came out positive for colon cancer (stage IV), at this

time the cancer had already metastasized. All efforts including

chemotherapies and ostomy surgery ended in futility as she finally

answered the divine call of her creator on Tuesday 11th October, 2022.

The journey was a challenging one because while I had heard about cancer

generally, such as breast, prostate, and liver cancer but I had never heard of

colon cancer until my mother’s ordeal. So I lacked basic knowledge on colon

cancer and relied on what the doctors were saying. If I had known, I would had

taken more proactive actions when the symptoms persisted rather than relying

on doctors who kept diagnosing her with various ailments like dysentery and hemorrhoids.

I began to start looking for resources/materials about colon cancer. While my mother was still struggling with her life at the hospital, I started raising awareness about colon cancer in my community because just like me, I believed there were others whose members might be experiencing what my mother was going through but due to knowledge gaps, they maybe treating other ailments with similar symptoms to colon cancer. My theme have always been “prevention is better than a cure” and the most effective way to prevent is to be informed.

At the time, I was a casual staff with Benue State Internal Revenue Service earning very little but I dedicated 40% of my salary for awareness about colon cancer at various worship centers, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps, government offices, schools and women's meetings.

During the course of the awareness, I discovered that people have different views (myths and misconceptions) about cancer. Some said cancer is for the rich only, while others said colon cancer is only for those who indulge in anal sex (this has been a major factor as to why most colon cancer patients fail to speak up when they notice symptoms) while others believe cancer is caused by witches and wizards.

This discovery was a major catalyst for me to increase my awareness efforts until 2022 when

my mother died. I then decided to turn my grief to action by registering a cancer

foundation in her name “Mbakuran Vaakaa Cancer (MVC) Foundation” with the aim

to educate and increase public awareness to the public about cancer as most of those infected die as a result of knowledge gaps and lack of timely care and treatment.

MVC Foundation is registered with Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria and is a member of Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA). The Mission and Vision are as follows:

VISION:

MVC Foundation envision a future where cancer and other dreadful diseases

that escalate death will be mitigated and people living with these illnesses will

not be preyed with fear of death or discrimination.

MISSION:

To improve the living condition of people infected/affected with cancer and

other dreadful diseases and the general public through proper sensitization,

treatment, care and capacity building aim at reducing their morbidity and

mortality rate.

As I look back on the journey of my mother with colon cancer, I am

reminded that life is precious and fragile. The darkest moments were filled

with fear and uncertainty, but they also taught me resilience, gratitude and