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Joseph Ugbe, a cancer patient in Port Harcourt, has received N230,000 from three BusinessDay readers to foot his hospital bills.
The father of four was featured in this section of Thursday, March 29, 2018 and May 31, 2018 where he said he needed funds to complete his radiotherapy treatment.
‘‘I was working as a distributor before I was diagnosed of cancer which has gulped all my saving leaving me bankrupted,’’ Ugbe told BusinessDay in an earlier interview.
‘‘This sickness has dealt with me but I’m pained that my innocent children had to quit school. I want to send them back to school and get a place for us to stay but I cannot do that if I’m still in this condition,’’ he said.
Ugbe received N200,000 from an anonymous donor who had assisted three people featured in this section with funds for their medical bills and business.
He also received N20,000 and N10,000 from two anonymous donors, bringing the entire donation to N230,000.
Presenting the cheque to the beneficiary on Monday, Odinaka Anudu, editorial analyst, BusinessDay, advised Ugbe to use the money for his treatment.
‘‘This money came from benevolent and good spirited individuals who saw your condition and decided to help you. Please, we would like this money to be used for the purpose it was given,’’ advised Anudu.
The father of four, who was moved to tears by the show of love from people he never knew, prayed that God will show his donors and their families more kindness than they have shown him.
‘‘I lack the words to express how grateful I am. Here am I receiving money from people who I don’t know and who does not know me as well. I cannot even see them to thank them for this money,’’ said Ugbe amid tears.
‘‘God who knows them will reward them for their generosity and bless them beyond their imagination. My family will always pray for them,’’ he said.
On how far the money received would go, Ugbe says it will go a long way.
‘‘I will go back to the hospital tomorrow and pay the N150,000 I owe and do the scan I was asked to do which is about N95,000. I did not have the money to do so when I was told to but I will do so now I have this money,’’ he said.
‘‘If I continue to wait to raise more money, I don’t know how bad this might get. This money will assist me pay for the CT scan which will enable doctors know if the cancer is still there and know the next step to take,’’ Ugbe said.
CHINWE AGBEZE
