A memoir by Ghanaian author Benjamin Akyena Brantuo documenting his family’s experience with cancer has gained international recognition after being added to the collection of Stanford University Libraries and formally catalogued by the United States Library of Congress.
The book, Dying Many Times: The Struggles of a Cancer Patient, chronicles the author’s experience supporting his late wife, Patience Brantuo, who died from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) on April 2, 2020, after three years of marriage. Published in 2021, the memoir combines a personal account of cancer care with advocacy for improved healthcare systems, particularly in developing countries.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, Stanford University Libraries acquired the book through its African acquisitions programme, making it accessible to students, researchers and faculty within the university’s library system.
The statement further disclosed that the United States Library of Congress has assigned the memoir an official classification under works relating to leukaemia, enabling researchers and libraries around the world to identify and access it as a recognised contribution to literature on the disease and patient experiences.
The publication has also been indexed in the WorldCat global bibliographic network, increasing its visibility across thousands of library catalogues worldwide.
In another milestone, the Library of Congress established an official Name Authority Record for Benjamin Akyena Brantuo, ensuring his publications are accurately identified and attributed within international academic and research library systems.
Reacting to the recognition, Mr. Brantuo described the achievements as a tribute not only to the book but also to cancer patients and their families.
“These milestones are deeply humbling. They are not simply recognition of a book, but recognition of the importance of documenting the experiences of cancer patients and their families,” he said.
He recalled that during treatment at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, his wife expressed a desire to dedicate her life to serving humanity if she recovered from the disease.
“Although she did not survive, I believe that dream lives on through this book. If it helps educate healthcare professionals, informs research, inspires better policy or gives hope to even one family facing cancer, then her legacy continues,” he added.
Acting Head of Acquisitions and Collections Services at Stanford University Libraries, Irina Trapido, explained that the book was selected through the university’s approval plan with African book vendors, which identifies scholarly and culturally significant publications from the continent for inclusion in the library’s collection.
Mr. Brantuo said the international recognition demonstrates that carefully documented personal experiences can contribute meaningfully to academic research, medical education and public policy.
He noted that following the publication of the memoir, Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) expanded coverage to include four childhood cancers, describing the move as a positive step while urging further reforms to improve access to affordable, timely and patient-centered cancer care.
The author also appealed to universities and health training institutions in Ghana to consider Dying Many Times as recommended reading for students studying medicine, nursing, public health and biomedical sciences, arguing that the book offers valuable insights into the lived realities of patients alongside practical recommendations for healthcare improvement.
Mr. Brantuo expressed appreciation to his family, friends, church members and readers for supporting the project. He also acknowledged the contributions of his son, Elijah, as well as Buabeng Books, Mr. Senyo Hosi and Mr. Dennis Adjei-Dwomoh for their roles in bringing the publication to fruition.
The author said he remains committed to ensuring that his late wife’s dream of serving humanity continues through the impact of the book on healthcare education, research and policy.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
