‘Every day is a battle’: Abuja mother of four races to raise N5m for breast cancer treatment

By Sola Ogundipe

For 40-year-old Gladys Nkechi Okere, survival depends on raising N5 million — the cost of a life-saving procedure against aggressive breast cancer. Without it, her chances of seeing her four children grow up grow dimmer by the day.

Once a familiar face at Lugbe’s newspaper stand in Abuja, where she diligently worked for nearly 25 years as a vendor and active member of the Abuja Newspaper Distributors Agents Association (ANDA), Gladys is now confined to a hospital bed. Her daily struggle is no longer about meeting sales targets but about staying alive.

Her home in Lugbe tells the grim story of a family on the brink. With her husband unemployed and caring for her full-time, the family depends on the goodwill of neighbours and colleagues. Sometimes, fellow vendors contribute small amounts so she can buy medication. Other times, neighbours share food so the family does not go hungry.

“I have been battling breast cancer for two years now. I’m a mother of four boys, aged 15, 12, 11, and 9. My husband hasn’t been working because he’s been caring for me. We are barely surviving — just existing,” Gladys told Vanguard.

From newspaper stand to hospital bed

Gladys, once known for her consistency and resilience, now faces an uncertain future. What used to be early mornings at the stand has been replaced with endless hospital visits and overwhelming medical bills.

Her story highlights a harsh reality: for many Nigerians, cancer treatment is not just a medical battle but also a financial one. Without access to affordable healthcare, families like Gladys’ are left to rely on charity, prayer, and public appeals.

For Gladys, every passing day without proper treatment is a step closer to the unthinkable. Yet her plea remains the same: a race against time to raise the N5 million that could save her life.