Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am currently spending a year working with the Cameroon Baptist Convention based in the North West of the country in the CBC's palliative care unit. I am going to attempt (note the word ATTEMPT) to climb Mount Cameroon on the 19th of Decemeber to raise money for the palliative care department.

Palliatve care is a very new specialty here and there are only a handful of places in the country where there is a dedicated service for patients with advanced, progressive illnesses. The need though, is great. Cameroon has a high incidence of HIV and AIDS, much of the population live in rural areas in poor conditions and education with regards to health care is limited.

Let me tell you about Victor (whose picture I have attached). He was a 21 year old boy who presented to the hospital with a huge swelling on the side of his head. He had managed to see a specialist (unusually) through his father's work and been diagnosed with a type of cancer which was invading through his skull into his brain. Sadly, because he had just turned 21, his father's company would not pay for any of his medical treatment. When he came to us the swelling was huge and very uncomfortable. Victor was in pain physically but he also felt very depressed.

Over the coming months we were able to care for Victor, visiting him at home, giving him medicine, listening to his fears and questions and supporting his family. Together we were able to make sure that Victor's symptoms were controlled and that he had a place to turn to when things deteriorated.

Victor died a few moths ago. He was supported throughout by our team and his death was pain free and with dignity. To this day I still speak to his twin sister Victorine on the phone when she wants to talk about Victor or just to say hello.

Working here has been a real priviledge but also a huge challenge. Resources are limited and there are many demands on the little resources there are. By raising money for the palliative care unit you would be helping us to care for patients like Victor. The money would go towards the running and costs of our car which is essential to reaching our patients who often live in very hard to reach places. It would also go towards the cost of drugs like oral morphine, the cost of which is very little to you and me, but can be too high for our patients who need, and deserve, to be pain free.

Thank you for any donation you can give. I can assure you it will be spent supporting patients who really need it and who need the hope and comfort that the palliative care team can bring them.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you so much.

Gill