What happened to Debbie?
In June 2020, Debbie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right leg, a type of bone cancer, at the age of 6. Before the diagnosis, she complained about persistent knee pain and noticed a peculiar bump on her knee which continued to grow over time. When her parents sent her for a biopsy, it confirmed the unimaginable – cancer cells had taken root in her leg bone.

From June 2020 to February 2021, Debbie’s life was a whirlwind of hospital visits and chemotherapy sessions. Faced with a life-threatening situation, a heart-wrenching decision was made – Debbie went through a procedure called rotationplasty, the amputation of a portion of her leg. This successfully removed the cancer and saved her life.

Now, Debbie uses a rotationplasty prosthesis when she goes to school. However, she has outgrown her current prosthesis. It no longer fits well and limits her physical activities, hindering her ability to run, play sports, and take part in activities with her friends. The limitations extend beyond her movements,causing her to feel left out and challenged to keep up her pace, as the prosthetic only permits her to walk.
“Currently, I can only walk with my prosthetic leg. The new one will allow me to run and play with my friends,” shared 10-year-old Debbie to our Case Worker.

How can you help?
Ray of Hope hopes to raise $3,691.00 to defray the cost of a new prosthetic for Debbie. This new prosthesis will not only empower her to move comfortably and confidently but also enable her to partake in the activities she loves, just like any other child.

Funds raised will be directly paid to the prosthetics company.

Find out more/ Appeal for Debbie:
In June 2020, at the age of 6, a biopsy confirmed the presence of cancer cells in her leg bone, and Debbie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right leg. She underwent 2 cycles of chemotherapy and eventually underwent rotationplasty, a procedure involving the amputation of a portion of her leg to remove the cancer and save her life.

Today, Debbie’s rotationplasty prosthesis aids her in daily activities. However, as she continues to grow, her current prosthesis no longer fits properly, extending beyond mere discomfort to hinder her from pursuing the active lifestyle she dreams of. Debbie hopes to fully engage in the activities she loves, just like any other child.

The prosthetic that Debbie needs is costly, and unfortunately, not covered by her insurance or government subsidies. As she continues to grow, Debbie must replace her prosthetic every 2-3 years to accommodate her growth. This frequent replacement comes with a substantial cost, causing her family to face challenges in keeping up with the expenses of the prosthetic.