On November 18, 2024, Leeds welcomed the spark of a dream. On that day, Sandrine Nkoa, a woman of extraordinary gentleness and boundless ambition, set foot on British soil. She arrived not just with her suitcases, but with the light in her eyes of someone who was finally going to realise her vision: to build an educational enterprise, a place where knowledge would flourish, driven by her passion. It was the start of an adventure, the promise of a bright future.
However, life, cruel and unpredictable, had other plans. No sooner had she even touched the edge of this cherished dream than she woke up one morning, not in the bustle of a new project, but in the cold, clinical atmosphere of a Leeds hospital emergency room. After the anguished waiting and thorough examinations, the verdict came crashing down like thunder: pelvic cancer.
At that precise moment, her entire future was shattered. The bright path turned into an abyss. But Sandrine’s soul, that quiet strength that drove her, refused to be overwhelmed. Instead of collapsing, she chose the light. She picked up her pen, despite the excruciating pain and the exhausting discomfort of the treatments, and decided to write, not a farewell, but one of the most beautiful chapters of her life.
She turned every day of her struggle into a victory of the spirit. Her indomitable enthusiasm, her contagious joie de vivre, and her fierce determination to achieve her goals won the hearts of everyone around her. Even in the face of a devastating illness, she was a ray of sunshine, a rallying point, proving that true ambition does not stop at the gates of adversity.
In her final days, we watched her slowly fade away, enduring the pain with the dignity of a warrior. She refused the easy path of unconsciousness, preferring to face her suffering until her last breath. It was not stubbornness; it was the final declaration of a free spirit, refusing to let go of her own life.
Sandrine left us as she lived: with courage, mindfulness, and leaving behind an exceptional legacy. A legacy born of her own ordeal, designed to transform her pain into hope for others: The NKOA FOUNDATION UK.
Her dream of entrepreneurship took on an unexpected, even nobler form: a foundation dedicated to supporting and informing those who, like her, are fighting pelvic cancer. Her life was short, but the echo of her courage will resonate eternally in this work. She is gone, but her flame has become a beacon for thousands of others.
We rely on your kindness and commitment to continue providing free, life-changing support.
Your financial contribution is more than money; it funds the smile on a volunteer's face and the safety of a care package.
Give the gift of your time, your experience, and your empathy. Become the steady hand for someone who needs it most.
Collaborate with us through corporate giving or fundraising. Amplify our voice so that no one misses the message of hope.
A warm, user-friendly website and social media presence offering instant access to support, connecting fragmented communities into one supportive family.
Collaborating with the heroes in NHS trusts and local hospices to ensure a seamless flow of care and compassion from the clinic straight into our arms.
Establishing physical 'drop-in' locations that serve as safe havens across the UK, providing face-to-face comfort and community.
The Empowerment Workshop Series : Regular sessions focused on rebuilding life after cancer. These workshops help reclaim confidence in areas often shattered by treatment:
National Awareness Campaign : Utilising our platform to share brave stories, raise awareness of early symptoms, and save lives through early detection.
Volunteer Training Programme: Recruiting and expertly training a compassionate army of volunteers (survivors and community members) to staff helplines and facilitate our local support hubs.
We are to be the sanctuary where families fine peace and servivors find their voice.
Across the united kingdom, we provide a compass for the lost and a beacom of hope for the weary.
