Kenyans stand with Janet Kanini Ikua as she boldly battles cancer

After news broke that celebrated N-Soko property show host Janet Kanini Ikua was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, Kenyans in their thousands have offered to chip in and contribute towards offsetting her medical bill.

Janet Kanini’s high school friends took to social media and created a legitimate Facebook page called Janet Kanini Ikua Medical Fund, and they have also organised a Paybill number 895790 Account Janet Kanini Ikua.

The group has also shared an online youcaring.com website – to raise the needed Sh5.2 million ($50, 000).

Kanini’s challenging health journey began in April 2015 when she was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that had resulted in blood clots in her legs.

For two months, she received what at the time appeared to be successful treatment in Nairobi.

But a racing heart and breathlessness after minimal physical effort remained a concern to the doctor.

In mid-June, Kanini would learn from her cardiologist that there was a blood clot in her heart and in the pulmonary artery leading to her lungs.

The TV host was immediately admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care/High Dependency Unit.

During this hospital stay, she underwent a minimally invasive but high risk procedure to remove the clot in her heart. Ten days later, Kanini walked out of the hospital, but the clot would later recur, prompting her to seek further treatment.

In September, Kanini, accompanied with her husband, decided to go to New Delhi, India where she could receive answers.

On September 13, Kanini received another diagnosis – the PET scans revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung that has spread to the abdomen and lymph nodes in the neck area.

Sadly, that unidentified mass in her lungs turned out to be stage four lung cancer that has spread from the primary site to other areas.

Kanini, who has received massive support from Kenyans, says she is overwhelmed by their love and concern.

She wrote on Facebook: “I am speechless. My mind is still trying to comprehend how thousands of people I have never met or spoken to can willingly, openly, honestly come forward and take a moment to pray for me and my family.”

Despite the circumstances, Kanini maintains a positive outlook on life.

“I am actually thankful to be unwell if it means that thousands of prayers are being lifted to the heavens as we renew and strengthen our faith in God who is our Refuge, our Shield and our Fortress,” read her post.

Janet Kanini Ikua is the mother of a five-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter . She’s married to George Ikua they reside in Nairobi, Kenya.

She is a TV host to NTV’s N-Soko Property Show and a former NTV News Anchor in Nairobi