After decades behind the lens capturing Nigeria’s
biggest stories, veteran TV cameraman Richard Akinbode now finds himself
the subject of one. The 52-year-old, renowned for his work in news and
documentary production, is urgently seeking financial assistance from
compassionate Nigerians and corporate organisations to fund post-surgery
chemotherapy at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Akinbode’s ordeal began with persistent stomach pains
and bloating – symptoms long attributed to peptic ulcer disease. Over
time, however, the condition worsened. Doctors eventually diagnosed him
with stomach cancer, a disease strongly linked to Helicobacter pylori
infection – a bacteria known to increase the risk of gastric
adenocarcinoma and lymphoma.
Following three major surgeries to remove cancerous
growths, Akinbode’s doctors prescribed chemotherapy to help suppress any
remaining cancer cells. But despite his determination, he has been
unable to commence treatment. Twice he has been deemed ineligible due to
low blood levels, forcing him to undergo multiple blood infusions to
meet the hospital’s criteria.
The hospital has already provided his family with the
full list of prescribed drugs and treatment duration, but the high cost
remains a barrier. Without immediate financial support, his fight for
survival could stall.
Friends, colleagues, and well-meaning individuals are
now rallying to raise funds for the veteran cameraman whose decades of
service helped bring countless stories to the public eye.
The drugs for its first cycle would gulp, Four Hundred
and Seventy One Thousand Six Hundred and Ten Naira(#471,610) and
subsequent cycles would be fixed at Three Hundred and Sixty One Thousand
Six Hundred and Ten Naira (#371,610). This he explained that each cycle
would be done thrice with loads of drugs to go with the treatment.
In all, about seven million naira(#7,000,000) is
required to complete this task and Akinbode has not been working ever
since his employment was terminated with PlusTVAfrica.
Presently, Akinbode lives hand to mouth as his life
savings including the only shelter all gone into the crisis. His wealth
of work experience at African Independent Television (AIT) and TVC is
yet to translate to anything as he hopes daily for help.
Akinbode seeks financial support from all and sundry to be back on track.
Prior to this time, he has spent fortunes on the
surgeries and still buying drugs and undergoing series of tests which
cost so much. He has relocated his family to Ofada, Ogun State just to
be able to cope with life.
In his words ” I want to appreciate all those that have
given me money during and after the surgical procedure. May you not be
stranded in all your undertakings. But I’m still not resting as I
needed to ensure that the cancer does not grow again . I need to get
well and this depends on the good will of all. Please help me and the
Lord will surely remember the seeds sown on my account ,”Akinbode
concluded .
For assistance, kindly pay into,
Polaris Bank,
Akinbode Richard
1120542169
Culled from scoppersmedia
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