Annika Harrison-Reunite cancer fighter w her kids
Donation protected
Annikas story to date (by Annika)
Summary
Annika was diagnosed with Stage IV advanced Bowel cancer in 2017 at the age of 36 and has been battling the beast ever since.
When told by Australian Drs that there were no further chemotherapy options, Annika started her research of German trials as a glimmer of hope and longevity to fulfill her dreams. Her dreams of going wedding dress shopping with her daughter, seeing her kids fall in love for the first time, graduating high school, starting careers, and becoming an Oma herself one day, these are dreams she acknowledges are unlikely to be achieved but the thought of these dreams makes her happy.
Annika is currently in Germany looking into alternative treatment and trial options to hopefully save, but at the very least prolong her life to what extent we are not sure. By far the hardest part is being separated from her 3 amazing children, who she left in Australia in March 2022. Due to the medical treatment, she is receiving in Germany, she is unable to travel back to Australia to see her children therefore she is really lost without them and wants them to come to Germany and spend precious time with her. She wants to make memories while she is still able to do so. Flight prices have skyrocketed in the last few weeks, and she is looking at airfares of over $13 000 for 3 return flights from Sydney to Frankfurt for her children. Due to her ongoing and extensive battle with cancer, she has been unable to work consistently and the costs associated with her treatment, being in Germany and living to this date as a single mum has taken her tole. The airfares for her children alone is money she simply does not have and she is now looking to us all for a small token of support, if possible, to help this situation.
Annika lives for her 3 children, Jasper, Ashton, and Scarlett. Being separated from them on top of a terminal cancer diagnosis has been emotionally exhausting.
Annika is a really positive person and is also aware that this could quite possibly be the last holiday she has with her kids. Cancer is cruel and it has taken so much from her already. She doesn't want to get to the point where she is physically unable to spend quality time with them. If we can help her fly her children to Germany to spend a precious 4 weeks together this would be a dream come true. Let's help her make this dream to be reunited with her 3 babies a reality - any small donation is truly appreciated :)
If you want to know more about Annika's cancer journey, please read on:
I was diagnosed with Stage IV advanced Bowel cancer in 2017 at the age of 36. Being told by the doctor that you have stage IV cancer and that you should live every day as if it was your last was shattering! I think I didn’t quite understand the gravity of that situation until much later. Having said that, 5 years later and I am still here! Stage 4 is terrifying, and I have been through some very dark patches. From diagnosis until now, I had 5 major surgeries as the tumors kept coming back, numerous smaller operations, 50+ rounds of various chemotherapy treatments, some with debilitating side effects, and 30 rounds of radiation.
On top of all that, I also became a single mum and I was faced with a difficult financial separation. I was and am emotionally exhausted. I feel incredibly lucky to have an amazing family, wonderful friends, and an incredible workplace that really care and supports me and my kids.
The financial aspect of being a sick single mum is difficult. It’s a pressure that is hard to deal with when you’re already trying to navigate through cancer. My family, friends and neighbours do rally around me, and just knowing these people cheer me on and have my back is so heartwarming! However, even with that, life is expensive…
Unfortunately, I am finding myself at rock bottom once again. In January 2022, just 4 months after my last huge surgery, I got the news that my cancer has come back and that I am out of traditional treatment options in Australia as I had too much chemo already and further chemo would do more harm than good. My Australian oncologist knows that I have family in Germany and recommended exploring clinical trial options in Germany. We had looked at trials in Australia but there are few and far between for my type of cancer and the chances of even getting in one of those trials were very slim or at the very least tied together with long waiting times and time is the one thing I don’t have!
I made the very difficult decision to travel to Germany and leave my young kids, Jasper (13), Ashton (11) and Scarlett (9) behind with my ex-husband in an attempt to save my life. I am currently in Germany, looking into alternative treatment and trial options. There is a trial on the horizon that I can hopefully start very soon.
By far the hardest part is being separated from my kids. I didn’t make the decision to seek life-prolonging cancer treatment in Germany, so far away from my children, lightly. I made this difficult decision for them as much as I made it for myself supported by friends and family. I want to see them grow up for as long as I can and I don’t want them to face life without their mum at such young ages. I haven’t seen my loves since March and all I want is for them to come over here and spend some time with me and their German family whom they haven’t seen in over 5 years. I want to make memories whilst I am still able to do so. There are quite a few hurdles to overcome to make this happen, and I am positive that we can get there.
Summary
Annika was diagnosed with Stage IV advanced Bowel cancer in 2017 at the age of 36 and has been battling the beast ever since.
When told by Australian Drs that there were no further chemotherapy options, Annika started her research of German trials as a glimmer of hope and longevity to fulfill her dreams. Her dreams of going wedding dress shopping with her daughter, seeing her kids fall in love for the first time, graduating high school, starting careers, and becoming an Oma herself one day, these are dreams she acknowledges are unlikely to be achieved but the thought of these dreams makes her happy.
Annika is currently in Germany looking into alternative treatment and trial options to hopefully save, but at the very least prolong her life to what extent we are not sure. By far the hardest part is being separated from her 3 amazing children, who she left in Australia in March 2022. Due to the medical treatment, she is receiving in Germany, she is unable to travel back to Australia to see her children therefore she is really lost without them and wants them to come to Germany and spend precious time with her. She wants to make memories while she is still able to do so. Flight prices have skyrocketed in the last few weeks, and she is looking at airfares of over $13 000 for 3 return flights from Sydney to Frankfurt for her children. Due to her ongoing and extensive battle with cancer, she has been unable to work consistently and the costs associated with her treatment, being in Germany and living to this date as a single mum has taken her tole. The airfares for her children alone is money she simply does not have and she is now looking to us all for a small token of support, if possible, to help this situation.
Annika lives for her 3 children, Jasper, Ashton, and Scarlett. Being separated from them on top of a terminal cancer diagnosis has been emotionally exhausting.
Annika is a really positive person and is also aware that this could quite possibly be the last holiday she has with her kids. Cancer is cruel and it has taken so much from her already. She doesn't want to get to the point where she is physically unable to spend quality time with them. If we can help her fly her children to Germany to spend a precious 4 weeks together this would be a dream come true. Let's help her make this dream to be reunited with her 3 babies a reality - any small donation is truly appreciated :)
If you want to know more about Annika's cancer journey, please read on:
I was diagnosed with Stage IV advanced Bowel cancer in 2017 at the age of 36. Being told by the doctor that you have stage IV cancer and that you should live every day as if it was your last was shattering! I think I didn’t quite understand the gravity of that situation until much later. Having said that, 5 years later and I am still here! Stage 4 is terrifying, and I have been through some very dark patches. From diagnosis until now, I had 5 major surgeries as the tumors kept coming back, numerous smaller operations, 50+ rounds of various chemotherapy treatments, some with debilitating side effects, and 30 rounds of radiation.
On top of all that, I also became a single mum and I was faced with a difficult financial separation. I was and am emotionally exhausted. I feel incredibly lucky to have an amazing family, wonderful friends, and an incredible workplace that really care and supports me and my kids.
The financial aspect of being a sick single mum is difficult. It’s a pressure that is hard to deal with when you’re already trying to navigate through cancer. My family, friends and neighbours do rally around me, and just knowing these people cheer me on and have my back is so heartwarming! However, even with that, life is expensive…
Unfortunately, I am finding myself at rock bottom once again. In January 2022, just 4 months after my last huge surgery, I got the news that my cancer has come back and that I am out of traditional treatment options in Australia as I had too much chemo already and further chemo would do more harm than good. My Australian oncologist knows that I have family in Germany and recommended exploring clinical trial options in Germany. We had looked at trials in Australia but there are few and far between for my type of cancer and the chances of even getting in one of those trials were very slim or at the very least tied together with long waiting times and time is the one thing I don’t have!
I made the very difficult decision to travel to Germany and leave my young kids, Jasper (13), Ashton (11) and Scarlett (9) behind with my ex-husband in an attempt to save my life. I am currently in Germany, looking into alternative treatment and trial options. There is a trial on the horizon that I can hopefully start very soon.
By far the hardest part is being separated from my kids. I didn’t make the decision to seek life-prolonging cancer treatment in Germany, so far away from my children, lightly. I made this difficult decision for them as much as I made it for myself supported by friends and family. I want to see them grow up for as long as I can and I don’t want them to face life without their mum at such young ages. I haven’t seen my loves since March and all I want is for them to come over here and spend some time with me and their German family whom they haven’t seen in over 5 years. I want to make memories whilst I am still able to do so. There are quite a few hurdles to overcome to make this happen, and I am positive that we can get there.
Organizer and beneficiary
Charlie Zeidler
Organizer
North Wollongong, NSW
Annika Harrison
Beneficiary