A total of 308 Canadians have helped raise $25,000 so far to support an international student who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

A GoFundMe has been created for 39-year-old Ajibola Olalusi, an international student and talented architect from Nigeria who came to Canada to continue his studies and career. He earned a graduate certificate in construction management from Conestoga College in Ontario and had hopes of a bright future ahead. Unfortunately, Ajibola was diagnosed with advanced peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. This cancer affects the lining inside the abdomen and is very uncommon, with only about 460 Canadians diagnosed with it in 2019.

According to the GoFundMe page created by his family, Ajibola Olalusi has shown incredible strength, enduring pain and many hospital visits to complete his studies and graduate in August 2025. However, his student health insurance ended after graduation, leaving him without coverage for the urgent care he still needs. His hospital stay in Toronto costs about $4,900 per day, excluding the cost of specialists, medications, and treatments. The family says the treatment he requires is only available in Canada, and they are struggling to manage the high costs. They are asking for donations to help cover his hospital care, tests, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and basic living expenses, as Ajibola is too sick to work.

As of October 28, a total of $25,312 has been raised out of the fundraiser’s $75,000 goal.

Source: Irish Mae Silvestre, Daily Hive