By Chioma Obinna

The family of Crystabel Ugwu, in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State has appealed to Nigerians for urgent financial assistance to save the life of their three-year-old daughter, RichPearl Ugwu, who is battling Stage IV kidney cancer at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

RichPearl was diagnosed with nephroblastoma with lung metastasis after months of worsening abdominal swelling, according to medical reports from the hospital.

Narrating the family’s ordeal, the child’s mother, Mrs. Crystabel Ugwu, said the illness began in 2024 when they noticed a swelling on the right side of the toddler’s stomach.
“We initially thought it was a minor injury that would heal on its own, but after some weeks, the swelling became bigger and more frightening,” she said.

She explained that the child was first taken to a clinic in Ekpoma before doctors referred her to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital for advanced medical care due to inadequate facilities.

According to a medical report signed by Consultant Paediatrician, Dr. Okosun O.A., RichPearl was admitted in April 2025 for further evaluation, including CT scans of the chest and abdomen.

“The CT scan result suggested nephroblastoma Stage IV with lung metastasis. She will require about 12 months of chemotherapy, medications and other supportive care estimated at N11.7 million,” the report stated.

The distraught mother said the family has exhausted its savings and now survives on loans while trying to continue the child’s treatment.

“My husband is a vulcanizer struggling to feed the family with less than N20,000 monthly income, while I sell petty goods in Ekpoma. Even if we work for many years, we cannot raise this amount alone,” she lamented.
Mrs. Ugwu appealed to kind-hearted Nigerians, corporate organisations and philanthropists to come to the aid of the family before it is too late.

“We are begging the public to help us save our daughter. We don’t want to lose her because we are poor,” she said emotionally.
If you are touched by her plight please send your donations to:
Account Name: Ugwu RichPearl Chinecheremu, Account Number: 1048101972, Bank: FCMB, or call +234 703 646 0006