
Help Kim Fight Breast Cancer
Donation protected
Hello friends and family,
We are reaching out to you in a most challenging of times for our family. On March 16th of this year, my sister Kim received a devastating diagnosis—Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form that leaves few targeted treatment options. Due to the severity of the diagnosis she had to start treatment immediately. The treatment plan she started included six months of chemotherapy and immunotherapy followed by a double-mastectomy and a further six months of chemotherapy.
The first four months involved a course of the infamous chemotherapy drug, Doxorubicin—nicknamed the "Red Devil" for its vivid colour and the potent effect it has on both the cancer and the rest of the body. Due to the drug's harsh effects, particularly on the heart, the doctors advised that Kim could only undergo one round of this treatment in her lifetime and that other medications would be required for the remainder of her treatment.
This period took a heavy toll on Kim as she experienced many severe side effects, had to stop working and had to minimise contact with friends and family due to her compromised immune system. As the “Red Devil” phase concluded at the end of June we were delighted to find out that this treatment had successfully shrunk the tumour to about half its original size. There would be 12 more weekly infusions of the chemotherapy medication Paclitaxel before she would get surgery.
Unfortunately, from the third treatment of Paclitaxel onwards Kim started to experience pulling-sensations in her breast. Despite voicing her concerns to her treating doctors, Kim was assured there was little to worry about. Unsatisfied with these reassurances, Kim insisted on another ultrasound.
Two days before her ninth treatment she had an emergency ultrasound which confirmed that the treatment was not working, and the tumour had more than doubled in size, becoming larger than before her treatment commenced. The remaining chemotherapy was immediately halted, and Kim now faces an urgent double-mastectomy, further treatments, and a long recovery.
Since the start of her journey Kim has been reluctant to accept charity despite having no income for the past six months. We’ve finally convinced her to allow us to set up a GoFundMe on her behalf to ease the financial burden of her impending medical bills and living expenses.
If you would like to help Kim and are in a position to do so, we would be incredibly grateful for any support you can offer. We will keep you updated about Kim's progress and together we can help her get through this challenging period in her life.
Thank you for taking the time to read Kim’s story and for your generous support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Christine Hutchins
Organizer
Mount Urah, QLD
Kim Smith
Beneficiary