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By Akinsoji Samuel
Wilms tumor Survivor and Aspiring University Student

My name is Akinsoji Samuel, and I am a childhood cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer, when I was very young. Treatment was long and painful, filled with hospital days, endless needles, chemotherapy, and fears I could not always put into words.

During those days in the hospital, I watched other children fight their own battles. Some laughed, some cried, and some quietly endured the pain. Being around them taught me early that survival was not only about medicine. It was also about courage, hope, and the love that surrounds you.

Along the way, I was fortunate to have people who supported my journey. The Dorcas Cancer Foundation stood by my family during that difficult time, helping with medicines and easing some of the financial burden of treatment. At home, my parents’ care and constant encouragement kept me strong when I felt weak and afraid. Their love became my anchor in moments when the world felt too heavy for a small child.

One of the hardest things for me was watching my hair fall out. Each strand that disappeared made me feel smaller, different, and sometimes invisible. For about a month and a half, my head was bare, a quiet reminder of the battle happening inside my body.

But slowly, my hair began to grow back. It started soft and uneven, but every tiny strand felt like a sign that my body was healing and that life was slowly returning. I shared many of these moments with other children living with cancer. We laughed through our fears, cried together, and found comfort in knowing we were not alone. Even in the darkest moments, hope was there, quietly reminding us that healing was possible.

Going back to school after treatment brought a different kind of challenge. My friends had moved ahead, growing taller and maturing faster, while I struggled to catch up. My body looked younger, smaller, and different, and it was hard not to feel left behind. At times, it felt like life had continued moving while I was still trying to find my place again.

But slowly, I began to find my rhythm.

It happened in small ways. Learning again. Laughing with friends. Finishing homework. Joining in play. Each small step reminded me that survival was not just about healing my body. It was also about learning patience, courage, and the quiet strength to keep going, even when everything felt unfair.

Today, I am still finding my rhythm after survival. Every step I take reminds me of the love, support, and sacrifices that carried me through some of the hardest days of my life. I dream of continuing my education at university, knowing that the journey I survived has shaped me into someone stronger, more grateful, and full of hope.

Surviving cancer taught me that life can bloom again, even after deep pain. My story is about endurance, love, and the courage to embrace each new day with hope, knowing that even after the storm, life can shine beautifully.

Support More Children Like Samuel
Every child diagnosed with cancer deserves more than survival. They deserve the chance to heal, grow, and rediscover who they are beyond the illness.
Through treatment support, advocacy, and holistic care, The Dorcas Cancer Foundation works to ensure that children facing cancer are not alone on their journey.
Your donation can help provide lifesaving treatment and continued support for children and families navigating childhood cancer. Give today and help more children, like Samuel, not only survive but find their rhythm again.