A 34-year-old Nigerian woman with albinism, Damilola Ibigbami, is in a desperate battle for her life after undergoing 12 grueling surgeries to combat skin cancer. Now, she urgently needs N2 million for another life-saving operation, but financial constraints threaten to derail her chances of survival.
For eight years, Damilola has fought tirelessly against the disease that has altered the course of her life. What began as a seemingly harmless pimple on her nose in 2016 rapidly escalated into a full-blown skin cancer diagnosis, leading to a series of painful and complex medical procedures.
Her journey has been nothing short of extraordinary—with nine nose reconstructions and three skull surgeries behind her, she has defied the odds time and again. However, her battle is far from over.
A Critical Turning Point
In 2022, Damilola underwent a major skull surgery where a mesh was placed to protect her brain. But today, the mesh has opened up, exposing her to grave health risks. Despite reaching out for help since April 2024, she has been unable to raise the required funds for another urgent surgery.
“I have survived two major surgeries and nine nose reconstructions. I believe I can survive this. I just hope the help I need doesn’t arrive too late,” she told BONews Service, her voice filled with both hope and fear.
Her situation is dire. Previous donors who supported her earlier treatments have been stretched financially, leaving her with no other means to fund this crucial procedure.
“It is emotionally draining that I have not been able to raise the money needed for this surgery,” she lamented.
A Cry for Help
With time running out, Damilola is making an urgent appeal to kind-hearted Nigerians and organizations to assist her in raising the N2 million needed for the procedure.
Anyone willing to support her can make donations to:
- Account Name: Ibigbami Damilola Margret
- Account Number: 3189943762
- Bank Name: First Bank
The Silent Epidemic: Albinism and Skin Cancer in Nigeria
Damilola’s story highlights a larger crisis faced by persons with albinism (PWAs) in Nigeria. The country’s harsh tropical climate, with its intense and prolonged sunlight, makes PWAs highly vulnerable to skin cancer—a disease that claims countless lives within the community.
Research indicates that PWAs account for 67% of primary skin cancer cases in Nigeria, with a shocking 61% of these patients under 40 years old. Reports further suggest that three to five persons with albinism die of skin cancer every six months, with only 2% surviving beyond the age of 40.
Despite these alarming statistics, awareness, early detection, and access to medical care remain painfully inadequate, leaving many PWAs to suffer in silence.
Call to Action: A Chance to Save a Life
Damilola’s resilience and determination to fight for her life have been remarkable, but without financial support, her battle may come to a devastating end.
Her plea is simple: a chance to live. Every donation, no matter how small, brings her closer to survival.
Will you help save Damilola’s life today?
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