Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that
34-year-old Abiodun Onadeko desperately needs N6 million to enable him get a
kidney transplant and restart life anew
After graduating with honours in
Agric Economics from the University of Ilorin a few years back, Abiodun Onadeko
had high hope of using his skill to help turn around Agro-service industry in
Nigeria. But now that dream is threatened by kidney disease.
To survive it, Onadeko who is
suffering from an end stage kidney disease requires N6 million for a kidney
transplant. As a former manager in a small fish farm in Lagos, he can barely
shoulder the burden of raising the fund alone.
Onadeko told THISDAY how it all
started. "I went to visit a doctor in September last year and he confirmed
that my blood pressure was high, so he placed me on medication. One day, I
started vomiting and I went to Isolo General Hospital where I was advised to go
to Gbagada General Hospital to see experts.
"There, they said I should
do dialysis. We found out my cretin and urea didn't regularise. It was then it
was discovered that I have chronic renal disease, which is at the end stage.
This means that it has gone to a worse state.
"The solution is to go for a
transplant. I have been running helter skelter to raise fund. Unfortunately, I
don't have a job now but I used to have before this ailment struck,” he said
with tears.
He added: "Now, I have been
running everywhere to raise money because the dialysis has been expensive. It
has not been easy. I am supposed to go for dialysis session twice a week.
Sometimes I won't be able to raise the money and I would skip it until I raise
the money.
"After each dialysis, I go
out to beg to raise money for another session. Sometimes, I go to churches to
beg. As at now, I don't have any money to go for the kidney transplant. The
little money I have raised is used up for drugs and dialysis.
"Currently, I need N6million
for treatment and this includes the cost of treatment, transportation,
accommodation and other exigencies. Fortunately, we have seen a donor, what
remains now is the money to commence operation at the Columbia Asia Hospital in
India."
According to the CEO, Beryl
Properties, Ms Biola Afolayan, one of the reasons why they are appealing to the
public for help is for Onadeko to find succour.
She said: "I am gathering
support to save Abiodun Onadeko, a graduate of Agric Economics from the
University of Ilorin who is suffering from an end stage kidney disease.
"Onadeko has just a sibling
who is a primary school teacher in Ibadan, his mum is late and his dad is about
81-year-old. He was diagnosed in October last year and since then through the
mercy of God, a couple of his friends and churches have been supporting him
financially through dialysis which usually costs between N25,000 and N38, 200
per week when he also needs to take blood.
"Aside the fact that this
amount has been heavy for the people presently assisting him, Onadeko eventually
needs a transplant which would cost $18, 000 (estimates from a hospital in
India). Inclusive of transportation, accommodation and prescribed drugs, his
India trip would cost about N6million.
"He needs help. He needs his
life supported weekly and a kidney transplant eventually. He wants to live. I
pray that Almighty God would touch your heart to do something for him. You can
help as an individual or get a corporate organisation.
According to Wikipedia, renal
failure or kidney failure or insufficiency is a medical condition in which the
kidneys fail to adequately filter waste products from the blood.
There are two main forms which
include; acute kidney injury (which is often reversible with adequate
treatment) and chronic kidney disease (which is often not reversible).
Medical science has since proven
that renal failure is mainly determined by a decrease in glomerular filtration
rate, which is the rate at which blood is filtered in the glomeruli of the
kidney, and is detected, by a decrease in or absence of urine production or
determination of waste products (creatinine or urea) in the blood.
Symptoms to look out for vary
from person to person but the common symptoms to look out for are high levels
of urea in the blood (which can result to vomiting or diarrhea and may lead to
dehydration), nausea, weight loss, nocturnal urination, blood in the urine,
pressure or difficulty urinating, itching, bone damage, muscle cramps abnormal
heart rhythms, muscle paralysis, shortness of breath, swelling of legs, ankles
and feet and pain in the back or side.
Other symptoms include,
tiredness, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, low blood
pressure, difficulty sleeping, darkening of skin, loss of appetite and weight
loss, amongst several others.
Onadeko can be reached on
08060785895 or the needed funds sent to his Fidelity Bank account- Abiodun
Onadeko; 6234276445.
Although hope lingers in the
horizon for Onadeko, he takes solace in the fact that Nigerians are their
brother's keeper and would rise to his aid to provide the needed funds to save
the life of the once vibrant young man.
Quote: After each dialysis, I go
out to beg to raise money for another session. Sometimes, I go to the churches
to beg. As at now, I don't have any money to go for the kidney transplant. The
little money I have raised is used up for drugs and dialysis
No comments:
Post a Comment