Manan May is a bright, four year old Cambodian child. He first came to the attention of World Orphan Fund as he was an orphaned boy in the care of his grandmother, and in need of medical attention. Manan May was found with very large tumors in his head deforming his appearance. It was discovered that he had developed physical signs of this debilitating sickness from the age of one. Nothing was done to help little Manan and as such World Orphan Fund met him three years later and learned about his condition.

World Orphan Fund took on tending to the medical needs of Manan May from then onwards in an attempt to fully medicate little Manan. He was flown from Cambodia to Thailand and admitted to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital to be treated by world-class medical practitioners. After a number of tests were undertaken, including an operation to relieve him of pain instigated by the tumor pushing on his eye, the doctors concluded that Manan May had Ewing’s Sarcoma and was in the fourth and final stage of the cancer.

Ewing’s Sarcoma is a form of primary bone cancer and is the second most frequent bone tumour in children and adolescents, accounting for approximately 10-15% of all malignant bone tumours. In impoverished countries, such as Cambodia, the lack of facilities and financial support to treat such cancers results in delayed treatment or complete neglect all together. This is a major contributing factor in the case of Manan, as his condition developed over years without treatment, resulting in the advanced growth of the tumour which he will not be able to defeat. Cancer kills approximately 1.1 million people in the South-East Asia region every year but mortality rates can be reduced if cases are detected and treated early.

Manan’s story touched many hearts across the globe and the community’s response has been enormous. Manan has inspired World Orphan Fund to commit to a project in his honor called the Manan Fund. This program will cater to all medical needs required by children who fall into the hands of World Orphan Fund Inc henceforth.

If you would like to contribute to this Fund: