By Iduh Onah
A MOTHER’s desperate plea for help is growing louder as she watches her only child battle a serious kidney condition that has left him dependent on dialysis and in urgent need of a kidney transplant.
Cecilia Lawrence, who hails from Okpokwu LGA of Benue State but lives in Lagos, is appealing to kind-hearted Nigerians, compassionate individuals, organisations and people of goodwill to come to the aid of her only son, Okoko Raphael, whose condition requires urgent medical attention.
Okoko Raphael is currently receiving treatment at the Renal Dialysis Centre, Military Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.
Speaking from a place of deep pain and desperation, Cecilia said watching her only child suffer has been an overwhelming experience, particularly as the financial demands of his treatment are beyond what she can shoulder alone.
“My name is Cecilia Lawrence from Ogene Amejo. I am appealing to you with a heart full of pain, hope and faith. My only son, Okoko Raphael, is battling a serious kidney condition and is already undergoing dialysis. His condition requires urgent medical attention, and he needs a kidney transplant to have a chance at a healthier and better life,” she told National Record.
Describing the emotional burden of watching her son undergo repeated dialysis sessions, the distraught mother said the experience was one she could hardly put into words.
“As a mother, watching my only child go through this ordeal is a pain I cannot adequately describe. Every dialysis session is another reminder of the difficult battle he is fighting,” she said.
Cecilia expressed her longing to see her son recover, regain his health and enjoy a life free from the burden of his illness.
“I desperately want to see my son healthy again, to see him smile without the burden of this illness and to have the opportunity to live the life he deserves,” she appealed.
However, the financial demands of the required treatment and kidney transplant have become a major obstacle, with the family needing ₦30 million to meet the kidney transplant surgery and treatment costs billed to be carried out in Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, the financial burden of the required treatment and kidney transplant is far beyond what I can afford alone. The total amount needed is ₦30,000,000 (Thirty Million Naira),” she explained.
Faced with this enormous financial challenge, Cecilia said she had no choice but to seek the intervention of compassionate Nigerians and people of goodwill, urging them to support her son’s treatment with whatever they could afford.
“This is why I am humbly bringing our cry for help before you. PLEASE, WE NEED YOU,” she said.
Appealing for donations, the mother stressed that no contribution was too small to make a difference in her son’s fight for survival.
“We are appealing to you to support Raphael’s treatment with whatever amount you can afford. No donation is too small. Every contribution brings us closer to our fundraising goal and gives us renewed hope,” the distraught mother pleaded.
She also appealed to those unable to make financial contributions to help circulate the fundraising appeal, noting that sharing the message could connect her family with someone willing and able to provide assistance.
“If you are unable to make a financial donation, please help us by sharing this SOS appeal with your family, friends, colleagues, social media communities and anyone who might be willing to help. Your single share could reach someone who has the means to make a life-saving difference,” she said.
Cecilia further appealed to the public not to allow financial limitations to deprive her son of the opportunity to receive the treatment he urgently needs.
Expressing gratitude to everyone who might respond to the family’s call, she prayed for God’s blessings upon donors, those who share the appeal and everyone who remembers Raphael in their prayers.
“To every kind-hearted person who chooses to donate, share this appeal or say a prayer for Raphael, may God bless you abundantly,” she prayed.
Maintaining hope despite the difficult circumstances, Cecilia expressed faith that collective compassion and generosity could help give her son a chance at a better future.
“We believe that through your kindness, generosity and collective support, this difficult situation can have a hopeful outcome,” she said.
In an emotional concluding appeal, the mother made a heartfelt plea for help, underscoring the fear of losing her only child to a condition whose treatment she cannot afford.
“From the depths of a mother’s heart, I am pleading: PLEASE HELP ME SAVE MY ONLY CHILD.”
FUNDRAISING TARGET: ₦30,000,000
DONATION DETAILS:
OPay
– Account Name: OKOKO RAPHAEL
– Account Number: 9063358048
First Bank
– Account Name: OKOKO RAPHAEL
– Account Number: 3191594770
For enquiries and further information: Okoko Raphael: 09063358048; Mary Ochefije Akor (Cousin): 07040307616, Maria Ubah (Cousin): 08036326728.
- You may never know how much your little contribution means to a mother praying for the life of her only child.
