Zainab Sani D: FRAGILE HOPE – A Caregivers Side Of the Story

Zainab Sani D., Executive Director, Paediatric Oncology Survivorship Initiative (POSI), shared a post on LinkedIn:

“FRAGILE HOPE: A Caregivers Side Of the Story

In the world of childhood cancer, caregivers carry a profound burden—one that extends far beyond the physical care of their children. As they navigate the turbulent path of cancer treatment, they often find themselves trapped in a cycle of hope and despair, experiencing a unique kind of grief that, in my opinion, feels like “dying multiple times.”

Let me elaborate further.

Cancer patients and their caregivers form deep bonds with fellow survivors, forged during prolonged inpatient stay, synchronized chemotherapy sessions, and the shared struggle of their journeys. They become allies, supporting one another through the hardest moments.

However, this sense of community can also amplify the sorrow, which brings me to the reason for this post. A caregiver recently mentioned to me: “Doctor, all the kids my son has his chemo sessions with have passed away. I feel like my son is next.”

When a fellow warrior passes on, other caregivers feel the loss intensely, as though they’ve lost a piece of their own child. They are reminded of the fragility of life and are plunged into fear and uncertainty.

While it’s important to acknowledge their pain and emphasize that every child’s journey is unique, and that with advancing research, treatment options are getting better, the honest question—especially in this part of the world—remains: Will they be able to afford it?
The harsh reality is that most won’t.

And that also leads me to a difficult and honest question:
Can we truly tell these parents that cancer isn’t a death sentence?

Source: Zainab Sani D./LinkedIn