By Florence Jonduo – EM TV, Port Moresby
“Living with cancer changes one’s perspective of life,” this was the statement emphasised by Patrick Benjamin, the father of a five year old girl, fighting a bone cancer known as Ewing’s Sarcoma.
He said this during an interview with EMTV.
Five year old Thoamanga Angel Benjamin is the youngest of three children; and has an older brother and a sister. She was diagnosed with bone cancer in June of 2014.
Mr Benjamin said that his daughter “is his hero”; and spoke of the challenges faced by his daughter, for himself and his entire family. His daughter, Thoamanga, is currently undergoing treatment at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.
At such a young age, Thoamanga has undergone rotationplasty, which is partial amputation. The limb is shortened and the lower leg is rotated 180 degrees permitting the ankle to act as a new “knee” joint.
“It was a slap in the face when the doctor told me that my Angel had bone cancer. I didn’t want to believe it,” said an emotional Mr Benjamin.
He further added that Papua New Guinea lacks cancer facilities. He pleads for leaders in Parliament to prioritise and make sure that facilities for cancer screening and treatment be one of the top priorities of the government.
EMTV’s Olsem Wanem will bring you Thoamanga’s story, this Saturday 7 January at 5:30pm.
