On July 12th, Engeye Health Clinic treated Noeline, a 7-year old girl from one of the many small villages served by Engeye in southern Uganda. Shy, feverish, and clearly ill upon her arrival, it turns out that Noeline has an extremely serious and life-threatening condition which requires urgent medical care that extends beyond our capabilities at the clinic. Nonetheless, we at Engeye are committed to helping her receive this life-saving care as soon as possible, and we need your help to do so.

Like other rural Ugandans, Noeline lives a simple life, helps fetch water for her family, assists with farming and, when funds are available, attends the local primary school. In February, however, she began to develop an unusual tissue growth protruding from her vagina. Over time Noline's condition worsened as she experienced increasing discomfort, so her mother took her to the nearby health center where a biopsy was performed. The biopsy revealed that Noeline has rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue sarcoma, in her vaginal wall. Simply put, 7-year old Noeline has cancer.

Although Noeline’s father was discouraged upon hearing this diagnosis and gave up hope for treatment, her mother was determined to seek further assistance, particularly because Noeline’s condition was intensifying, becoming more uncomfortable, resulting in chronic infection.

Last week, Noeline presented to Engeye Health Clinic. By then the mass was so infected that it was clear that urgent care was needed. Although the Engeye staff dispensed antibiotics to treat her secondary condition, the infection, there was nothing more they could do to help with Noeline's primary condition, her cancer. Her urgent condition requires treatment beyond Engeye’s capabilities.

In order to help save the life of this young girl, we would like to transport Noeline and her mother to the Mulago Cancer Institute in Kampala. There she will receive the life-saving chemotherapy she needs and surgeons can then remove the tumor. Many children with conditions similar to Noeline’s have received a very good prognosis after such treatment. However, unlike hospitals in the U.S., the patient must pay for their medications at the time of service and for their own food and lodging. This is not a possibility for Noeline’s family.

That’s where you and others come in. We estimate that the total funds needed for her care will be $2,000 USD. If you are in a position to help with this mission, please click on the ChipIn link to make a contribution to this project via credit card or PayPal. Or you may make an online donation at Chip In or by mailing a check to Engeye Inc, 1500 SW 11^th Avenue, Suite 2304, Portland, OR 97201. Please mark your donation for Noeline’s Treatment. And, if you know of others who may be able to help, please share this link and information with them.

We have mobilized to get the word out quickly on this project. Noeline’s records indicate that the tumor has been infected previously and that the infection spread to the blood. This could happen again, and it can be fatal if not treated immediately. Addressing Noeline’s care is very time sensitive. We appreciate any assistance you are able to provide in helping Noeline. If you have questions, please contact us here or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please note: Because Noeline’s care involves food, lodging and transportation, we are fundraising separately for her care and not using general clinic funds. We will monitor Noeline’s condition weekly, checking in with her and her mother, and we will provide current updates here and on our website. In the event that funds raised exceed what is needed for Noeline’s care, such funds will be directed to the Engeye Health Clinic general purposes fund. Thank you for your support and concern!