Surgeon Saves Baby With Life-Changing Surgery

Quick Smiles:

• Life-saving surgery removes massive tumor from baby’s neck
• International volunteer team provides free care at sea
• Family celebrates healing and hope after recovery

A baby girl in Sierra Leone is thriving after a British surgeon removed a large, life-threatening tumor from her neck, thanks to the generosity of a floating hospital.

Baby Memunatu developed the lump as a five-month-old, but local doctors initially believed she was too young for surgery, leaving her family deeply worried as it quickly grew.

Everything changed when her mother, Aminata, met a volunteer from Mercy Ships, a charity that brings medical care to those in need on board hospital ships. The Global Mercy was docked nearby, and after seeing the severity of Memunatu’s condition, the charity’s medical team quickly agreed to provide the procedure free of charge.

“I was very worried for my child,” said Aminata. “She’s so little for such a condition.”

Maxillofacial Head and Neck Surgeon Dr. Leo Cheng led the team in a meticulous four-hour surgery, carefully working to avoid any complications.

Previously, Memunatu’s condition was mistaken for a cold, but the growing tumor soon made eating, speaking, and even breathing difficult. Upon learning her true needs, South African volunteer Anne-Marie Van Tonder ensured she received urgent care aboard the ship.

Dr. Cheng shared, “With every single millimeter I was estimating, calculating, and trying to prevent any bleeding. It went very slowly but very positively—thank God.”

After the tumor was safely removed, Memunatu and her mother stayed on the ship until she recovered. Her swelling subsided, and she returned home healed and smiling.

Anne-Marie reflected, “When she was discharged, it was such a great joy for me to see Memunatu’s face. The tumor had grown so fast, almost the size of her head, hiding her beautiful face… her eyes were so full of light and joy.”

Since 2023, Global Mercy has delivered over 3,630 free surgeries in sub-Saharan Africa, restoring health and happiness to families who previously had little hope for treatment.

“If not for this surgery that Mercy Ships did for my child, she would have lost her life.”

Stories like this inspire us all to look for hope and kindness in every corner of the world. Thank you for sharing these moments of triumph and compassion!

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