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Appeal fund to help African woman | Appeal fund to help African woman |
(about 7 hours later) | |
An appeal fund to help a terminally-ill Ghanaian woman who was removed from the UK because her visa expired, has been set up by her friends in Cardiff. | An appeal fund to help a terminally-ill Ghanaian woman who was removed from the UK because her visa expired, has been set up by her friends in Cardiff. |
Ama Sumani's friend Janet Simmons said pledges of money had been "flooding in" to the appeal, which is being run out of an African craft store in the city. | Ama Sumani's friend Janet Simmons said pledges of money had been "flooding in" to the appeal, which is being run out of an African craft store in the city. |
Ms Sumani, 39, had been receiving dialysis at a Cardiff hospital after cancer damaged her kidneys. | Ms Sumani, 39, had been receiving dialysis at a Cardiff hospital after cancer damaged her kidneys. |
But she cannot afford this care, which is prolonging her life, in Ghana. | But she cannot afford this care, which is prolonging her life, in Ghana. |
Speaking from the country's capital city Accra, Ms Sumani thanked all the people fighting her case in Britain. | Speaking from the country's capital city Accra, Ms Sumani thanked all the people fighting her case in Britain. |
"My big thanks to all of them," she said. | "My big thanks to all of them," she said. |
"God bless them and anyone who's fighting for me - to save my life. God bless them, God bless all of them." | |
Ms Simmons said the Friends of Ama committee set up to help Ms Sumani, was made up of a number of different members of the local African community. | Ms Simmons said the Friends of Ama committee set up to help Ms Sumani, was made up of a number of different members of the local African community. |
It is based in the Xquisite Africa shop on City Road in Roath in the city. | It is based in the Xquisite Africa shop on City Road in Roath in the city. |
Her condition is worsening. Her feet and hands are starting to swell up and so we are hoping she will get onto a machine to keep her going Janet Simmons | Her condition is worsening. Her feet and hands are starting to swell up and so we are hoping she will get onto a machine to keep her going Janet Simmons |
"The public response has been tremendous," she said. | "The public response has been tremendous," she said. |
"We have had a call from a lady in Llandudno who says she is willing to pay for all the hospital bills. | "We have had a call from a lady in Llandudno who says she is willing to pay for all the hospital bills. |
"A woman from Rhiwbina (in Cardiff) rang and said "I am a pensioner, I don't have much but I will contribute £100"." | "A woman from Rhiwbina (in Cardiff) rang and said "I am a pensioner, I don't have much but I will contribute £100"." |
UK officials said they had checked medical treatment was available in Ghana before Mrs Sumani was flown home. | UK officials said they had checked medical treatment was available in Ghana before Mrs Sumani was flown home. |
Less than 24 hours after being removed from the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, she attended the main hospital in Accra. | Less than 24 hours after being removed from the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, she attended the main hospital in Accra. |
The mother-of-two said the hospital had then asked for the equivalent of about $6,000 (£3,060) to cover her kidney dialysis sessions for the next three months. | The mother-of-two said the hospital had then asked for the equivalent of about $6,000 (£3,060) to cover her kidney dialysis sessions for the next three months. |
A hospital official in Ghana said Mrs Sumani had been accompanied by British immigration officials, who had offered to pay for the first three months' treatment. | A hospital official in Ghana said Mrs Sumani had been accompanied by British immigration officials, who had offered to pay for the first three months' treatment. |
However, he said the hospital could not help her as she had no source of funding for the ongoing medical care she required. | However, he said the hospital could not help her as she had no source of funding for the ongoing medical care she required. |
Judicial review | Judicial review |
Ms Sumani has a type of cancer - malignant myeloma - which has damaged her kidneys. | Ms Sumani has a type of cancer - malignant myeloma - which has damaged her kidneys. |
She had been receiving dialysis three times a week in the UK before she was sent home with an expired visa. | She had been receiving dialysis three times a week in the UK before she was sent home with an expired visa. |
Ms Simmons said Ms Sumani was now accompanied by the BBC's west Africa correspondent Will Ross, who had helped her with accommodation, food and trying to get dialysis. | Ms Simmons said Ms Sumani was now accompanied by the BBC's west Africa correspondent Will Ross, who had helped her with accommodation, food and trying to get dialysis. |
"Her condition is worsening. Her feet and hands are starting to swell up and so we are hoping she will get onto a machine to keep her going." | "Her condition is worsening. Her feet and hands are starting to swell up and so we are hoping she will get onto a machine to keep her going." |
Rev Aled Edwards from Cytun, Churches Together in Wales, called for a judicial review of the case. | Rev Aled Edwards from Cytun, Churches Together in Wales, called for a judicial review of the case. |
"I am greatly concerned after looking at the papers and consulting with her friends about the legal case here," he said. | "I am greatly concerned after looking at the papers and consulting with her friends about the legal case here," he said. |
"I think it raises huge questions about the right to life." | "I think it raises huge questions about the right to life." |
On Friday, Ghana's High Commissioner in London Annan Cato urged the UK government to allow Ms Sumani back. | On Friday, Ghana's High Commissioner in London Annan Cato urged the UK government to allow Ms Sumani back. |
In a statement, the Border and Immigration Agency said it examined with great care each individual case before removal. | In a statement, the Border and Immigration Agency said it examined with great care each individual case before removal. |
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