Friend Reveals Hardship Faced Raising Funds for Late Cancer Patient Ruth Kaupa

By Julie Badui Owa – EMTV News, Lae

A family friend of Ruth Kaupa who died of breast cancer on the weekend, said it was very difficult trying to raise funds for Ruth’s treatment overseas. Tabitha Wosse who had led Ruth’s fundraising in Lae said they raced against time to have money available for Ruth’s treatment in Manila, Philippines.

Tabitha said with the help of friends, they had raised K70 thousand in two months. 

Ms. Wosse is a Public Relations Officer at the PNG University of Technology.

When she realised that there was very limited time left to raise funds for Ruth’s treatment overseas, she stepped in to lead the fundraisings in Lae. stating that it was difficult, but she continued with hope for Ruth to live.

Yesterday, Ruth’s father, Brasty Kaupa, said Ruth returned to PNG from Manila last month without completing her treatment because they ran out of money. Brasty Kaupa said that they had paid over K122 thousand for the treatment in Manila.

Doctors advised the family to get the treatment overseas because the only cancer treatment machine at Angau Hospital in Lae has been out of order since 2016.

Ms. Wosse said late Ruth was fortunate to have support however, there are other cancer patients who are not able to raise funds to get treatment overseas.