From Adversity to Advocacy: The Journey of a G6PD Philanthropist

Cynthia Tima Yeboah is a visionary philanthropist who fearlessly advocates for women’s empowerment and children’s rights. Her battle with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency compelled her to establish a foundation dedicated to raising awareness and saving lives. Philanthropy transcends mere giving; it is a potent force for positive change that profoundly impacts individuals and communities. Through philanthropy, resolute efforts are made to foster sustainable development and enrich people’s lives by addressing specific needs such as social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Cynthia Tima Yeboah, also known as Tima Kumkum, is a popular Ghanaian radio and television personality, voice-over artist, senior television channel executive, and actress. She completed her Senior High School education at Ghana National College in 2005, pursued a diploma in journalism from the Institute of Business Management and Journalism (IBMG), and holds a degree in journalism specializing in political reporting from Jayee University College. She also obtained a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Media Arts and Communication – Institute of Journalism, which she completed in 2023

How her journey began

As I entered her office one Friday afternoon, I was immediately struck by the unwavering sense of purpose and determination that filled the room. It was evident that this conversation would uncover the driving force behind her philanthropic pursuits.

Motivated by her struggles and a deep desire to assist others with this condition, she established her foundation to raise awareness, offer vital support, and promote positive change for those impacted by G6PD deficiency. Her extraordinary transformation from patient to advocate highlights the significant impact of turning personal challenges into a catalyst for communal well-being.

Tima Kumkum shares her journey into philanthropy.

“I was only 25 years old when I discovered that I had a medical condition. I learned that I needed to avoid medications containing Sulphur and malaria drugs. When I was in my ninth month of pregnancy, I unknowingly took a medication prescribed by a midwife which contained Sulphur. This caused severe bleeding, and I required emergency medical attention. Unfortunately, during this time, there was a nationwide pharmacy strike on April 3rd, 2012, which made it difficult to access the medical supplies needed for a caesarean section. I was initially taken to the Korle-Bu teaching hospital in Accra, but then I was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, where I was told that I was already dead-on arrival. My family was advised to take me to another hospital, specifically the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, because there was no space for me at the mortuary. At Ridge Hospital, a doctor urgently recommended transferring me to a private hospital within 10 minutes in order to save my life and my baby’s, as my placenta was detaching, and the baby was in distress. In less than 10 minutes after arriving at the hospital, my baby was delivered, and the doctor asked me what medication I had taken. I showed the drug to him, and he said, ‘If you had died, I would have blamed you because you knew you had the deficiency. But did you read about it?'”

Her experience highlighted the importance of being aware of and managing G6PD deficiency. It emphasized that while G6PD deficiency is not an illness, it requires careful management. She added that understanding and avoiding triggers are crucial for managing G6PD deficiency.

Giving back; the impact of local philanthropy

Philanthropy plays a pivotal role in driving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at achieving a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030. It provides crucial financial support, creates sustainable livelihoods, and enhances economic opportunities for individuals and communities. During our discussion, Tima shared that her inaugural philanthropic event in December 2018 involved conducting G6PD screenings at a children’s home, where she identified three children with the deficiency who had adverse reactions to beans. Furthermore, after establishing her foundation, she proactively engaged with mothers at a hospital about her experiences with G6PD, and even supported a 13-year-old girl impregnated by her father by covering her medical bills. Lastly, in October 2021, she orchestrated a successful breast cancer screening exercise for over 700 male and female traders at Agbogbloshie, a suburb in Accra, and its surrounds, thereby making a significant impact.

Over 700 traders benefited from the free health screening.

Tima explained that she has realized there are many vulnerable people in society, mostly women and children, due to broken homes, among other issues. “On my birthday last year, I went to Nkwantapon in the Bosome Nkwanta district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The entire community lacks a toilet facility, and the road leading to it is inaccessible by vehicle. During our visit, it was raining, so we had to leave our vehicles and use a tricycle to reach the hilltop community. The school buildings were in deplorable condition, making the situation even more dire.

Most vulnerable people in society are mostly women and children.

She emphasized, “This year, the projects I want to embark on involve building toilet facilities for communities. I will go back, screen the whole community, and identify those who have G6PD and those who do not.” With the assistance of the community hospital at Akyem Oda, a town in the Eastern Region of Ghana, I organized a free health screening exercise for over 150 widows in the community,” she said.

Over 150 widows benefited from the free health screening exercise.

Tima Kumkum’s philanthropic efforts also benefit children, showcasing her dedication to their well-being. In 2021, we prepared hot meals for 250 street children and 50 inmates at the Osu correctional home in Accra as part of our Christmas day celebration. Additionally, we donated various items to them such as rice, oil, drinks, provisions, and water.

Tima brought smiles to 250 street children and 50 inmates at Osu correctional center.

“Also, we began a nationwide campaign to garner support for teenage mothers at Nungua in Krowor Municipal District in the Greater Accra Region to educate young girls about teenage pregnancy” – she added.

Tima embarked on a nationwide campaign to educate young girls about teenage pregnancy.

“Since then, it has been one philanthropic project over the other” – she recounted.  

Empowering Change through Crowdfunding

Tima explained that when it comes to how she funds her projects, she uses her influence on social media, the donations she gets from people and the support given to her by the brands she works with.

“I used my influence and social media status to raise an amount of GHS10,000 to support pay the bills of a 31-year-old woman living with breast cancer.

Tima funds her projects through crowd funding.

“My regular updates on the progress of my projects have fostered a strong sense of community among contributors, many of whom continue to support subsequent projects” – she added.

Measuring the effectiveness of her philanthropy

“First and foremost, you need to have a passion for philanthropy. Some people assume it’s done for the cameras, but that is not the case. It is essential to know your goals, values, and what you seek to achieve. Personally, when I engage in philanthropic work, the feedback is amazing. Before starting any project, I ask myself what impact I want to make. I measure my success by the feedback I receive from each project,” she said.

Philanthropy plays a crucial role in driving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Tima Kumkum Foundation

Tima shares her experiences of living with a partial glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a condition where one is highly allergic to Sulphur, the main reason why she birthed her foundation to create awareness and educate people about the deficiency.

My journey with g6pd birthed Tima Kumkum Foundation

“My struggle with G6PD deficiency led me to launch my foundation in September 2018. My focus is on women and children, the community and the underprivileged in the society” – Tima stated.

G6PD Deficiency

According to a World Health Organization report, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a hereditary condition caused by mutations in the G6PD gene, leading to a structural defect in the enzyme and below-normal activity. This condition affects over 400 million people globally and primarily impacts red blood cells. Neonatal jaundice is often the earliest sign of G6PD deficiency. Hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient patients can be triggered by specific antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Addressing global challenges
According to Tima Kumkum, she sees her foundation addressing global challenges. “I am in talks with some people in the United Kingdom, about my foundation and G6PD awareness”. She hinted that with the help of Vice Versa Media Ghana, she sees her foundation to be an international brand that helps bring solutions to many.

Aside women and children and health which is SDG goal 3 which aims at women and children’s health, Tima shares how her partnership with Ghana Health Service will help create awareness and educate women on G6PD deficiency to save mother and child. “I am in talks with the Ghana health service to have a partnership so they can make it G6PD test a mandatory one. A woman does not have till she gets pregnant before she knows her G6PD status”.

“Sanitation is also another area of importance to me. We get a lot of diseases and infections from our surroundings. I see myself venturing into sanitation and education” which is SDG 6 and 4 respectively.

Conclusion

Tima Kumkum’s journey from personal adversity to philanthropic action stands as a testament to the transformative power of resilience, compassion, and purpose. Through her foundation, she has not only raised awareness about G6PD deficiency but has also provided invaluable support to individuals and families navigating similar challenges.

Her unwavering commitment to making a difference, fuelled by her own experiences, serves as an inspiration to us all. Her journey teaches us that no challenge is insurmountable and that even the darkest moments can be transformed into beacons of hope while embracing the power of empathy, advocacy, and action to create a brighter, more equitable world for all.