Nollywood actress Cynthia Anijekwu has made an emotional appeal to Nigerians for financial support as she battles a recurrence of cancer that doctors say has now spread to her bones.
In a video that began circulating on social media on Tuesday, the actress broke down in tears while describing her health condition and the financial burden of treatment.
This is the second time Anijekwu has been diagnosed with cancer. She said she was first treated in 2023, but the disease has returned and worsened.
Speaking directly to the camera, Anijekwu recounted her medical journey over the past three years.
“I have cancer in 2023. I did my surgery and took chemotherapy, but later it came back again,” she said. “I’ve been in and out of the hospital.”
According to her, her doctors recently informed her that the cancer has metastasized.The doctor recently told me it has reached my bones, and the treatment is now much more expensive,” she explained.
The actress appeared visibly distressed in the video. She showed signs of physical pain and swelling, saying the illness has affected both breasts and caused swelling in her hands.
“The cancer has affected both breasts. Even my hands have swollen,” she said. “I need to live. I need to survive
With treatment costs rising beyond what she can afford, Anijekwu turned to the public for assistance.
“I’m asking Nigerians to please help me. Anyone that can help, please, I need help,” she pleaded. “Your one naira, your two naira can add up to something reasonable for me to get the proper treatment for this cancer. I’m begging you, please help me.”
She repeated the appeal several times in the video, emphasizing that her life depends on getting immediate medical intervention.
The video has since drawn an outpouring of sympathy from fans, colleagues, and well-wishers online, many of whom have shared the clip and called for donations to support her treatment.
Anijekwu’s case highlights a growing concern in Nigeria’s health sector: the high cost of cancer treatment and the limited access to affordable care.
Chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and follow-up care for advanced cancer can run into millions of naira. For many patients, especially those in the entertainment industry without consistent income or health insurance, the financial burden becomes overwhelming.
Medical experts note that early detection and consistent follow-up care significantly improve survival rates. However, when cancer recurs and spreads, as in Anijekwu’s case, treatment becomes more complex and more expensive.
Advocacy groups have repeatedly called on the government and private sector to expand cancer care infrastructure, subsidize treatment, and provide support funds for vulnerable patients.
Since the video surfaced, members of the Nollywood community have begun sharing Anijekwu’s appeal and urging the public to contribute.
While the actress did not specify the exact amount needed for treatment or the hospital where she is receiving care, she stressed that any amount would help.
For many fans who have followed her career, the news came as a shock. Anijekwu has appeared in several Nollywood productions over the years and is known for her vibrant screen presence.
Her honest account has also sparked conversations about the need for better health insurance and support systems for actors, many of whom work on a project-by-project basis without long-term benefits
The most painful part of Anijekwu’s message was her fear of not surviving without help.’m begging you, please help me. I need to live,” she said, her voice breaking.
Her words reflect the desperation faced by many Nigerians battling critical illnesses who lack the financial resources to continue treatment.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from her family or management regarding a fundraising account or medical details. Fans have, however, been sharing her video widely with calls for government agencies, NGOs, and wealthy Nigerians to intervene
Cynthia Anijekwu’s story is a reminder of how quickly life can change, and how community support can make the difference between life and death.
For now, the actress is holding on to hope that Nigerians will respond to her cry for help.
“Your one naira, your two naira can add up to something reasonable,” she said. “Please, I need to survive.
