Lifesaving Cancer Screenings for Congolese Women

Dear Supporters,

The Ida Lee House (“La Maison D’Ida Lee”) officially opened in August! 

After years of planning, dreaming, and overcoming incredible challenges, the Ida Lee Project has opened a dedicated women’s health center in Kisangani, DRC.

Under the supervision of Dr. Ravonna Martin and Dr. Jean Battig, the move from Lubunga to the new facility was completed, along with the installation of medical equipment and preparation of patient wards. This new center enables breast and cervical cancer screenings, chemotherapy administration, and other reproductive health services for women who previously had limited or no access to care.

Incredibly, our first patient walked through our doors just last month: a 37-year-old woman with severely swollen lymph nodes requiring chemotherapy. This moment reminds us why your support matters so much to us—so many women who were previously left without care can finally receive lifesaving treatment.

A Dream Realized

The journey to opening the Ida Lee House has been long and, at times, daunting:

• The property had been abandoned for years, with broken faucets, unusable doors, and overgrown grounds.
  
  
• Everything had to be repaired, cleaned, or newly built—from beds and desks to cabinets and bookcases.
  
  
• Medical equipment was relocated across the Congo River, with two days of power outages along the way.
  
  
• Security concerns were high due to local unrest, but our staff and patients remain protected thanks to our beloved and dedicated 24/7 security staff.
  
  
• Despite these obstacles, we have created a sanctuary complete with 5 beds in 3 patient rooms, a surgical suite, chemotherapy area, reception, staff housing for nurses & doctors, a kitchen and lab space, an educational pavilion, and landscaped grounds for health workshops and community programs.
  
  

As our founder, Dr. Ravonna Martin, shared:

"After all these years, my vision of a small, free hospital for women with reproductive cancers and fistulas has been realized. This is just the beginning, but the dream is now real."

Impact Highlights for August 2025: Our First Month at the Ida Lee House

• Patients Served: 33 (32 women, 1 boy), including 17 new cases.
  
  
• Age Distribution: 0–17: 3, 18–35: 4, 36–50: 4, 51+: 6

• New Diagnoses: 2 breast cancer, 2 cervical cancer, 2 breast masses (benign/other), 11 normal findings.
  
  
• Hospitalizations: 4 patients received care onsite.
  
  
• Chemotherapy Administered: Multiple sessions for patients with breast and cervical cancer.
  
  
• First Month Success: Official permits secured, medical equipment operational, and patient services fully underway.
  
  

Patient Stories

• A 31-year-old woman treated successfully for left breast bleeding, illustrating the lifesaving power of early intervention.

• A 45-year-old woman facing late-stage breast cancer passed away despite treatment. Her story and memory highlight the urgency of early detection and care for all women.

• Several women came for health screenings for the first time in their lives, receiving consultations, exams, and guidance on self-care.
  
  

Next Steps

• Expand preventative screening across Kisangani and surrounding provinces.
  
  
• Implement staff training and facility upgrades for surgical and lab capacity.

• Grow community education programs and campaigns, including self-exams and reproductive health workshops.
  
  
• Continue upgrading the clinic to ensure safe, reliable, and sustainable care.
  
  

Why Your Support Matters

Your partnership has made the opening of the Ida Lee House possible. Every donation helps provide:

• Early detection and treatment of cancer
  
  
• Access to high-quality reproductive healthcare
  
  
• Education and empowerment for women and girls
  
  
• A safe, welcoming environment led by local medical professionals
  
  

With your help, the Ida Lee House will continue to grow and transform women’s lives across Kisangani and the DRC. Thank you all for being part of this dream made real.

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