Carolyn's Nanoknife Surgery
Donation protected
Carolyn was diagnosed in 2015 with Pancreatic cancer.
Chemo was recommended to shrink the tumour with the aim that surgery would be on the horizon.
She responded well to chemo but surgery has not been an option because of a concern about metastasis in the liver.
She went on a second round of chemo, and responded, but not as well, as the tumour continued to grow.
Carolyn independently researched Nanoknife (IRE) to find it was available internationally and in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (the only place in Canada currently for Pancreatic cancer)
She was accepted as the first out of province candidiate in Saskatchewan, and chose to have treatment there as it was close to home and still in Canada.
A written request was made to the Ministry of Health in BC for payment assistance, and was denied on the reccomendation of the BC Cancer Agency, on the grounds that it is not part of their standard of care. Chemo therapy is still their standard, even though Nanoknife almost doubles current survival rates.
Nanoknife is a surgical procedure . It is a new cancer treatment for inoperable tumours. The Nanoknife technique destroys soft tissue tumours with an electric current, minimising the risk of damage to nearby organs or blood vessels.
Carolyn's surgery date was May 19th, 2017.
Carolyn has had to front $40k out of her own pocket in order to have the procedure done.
She is a retired healthcare professional.
Funds donated will go directly to the upfront cost of the surgery.
We are grateful that she was able to have her surgery performed in Canada, as this is a life prolonging option beyond chemo.
Carolyn has an incredibly strong will to live. She has a supportive husband, 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren a fantastic network of friends that root for her daily.
Chemo was recommended to shrink the tumour with the aim that surgery would be on the horizon.
She responded well to chemo but surgery has not been an option because of a concern about metastasis in the liver.
She went on a second round of chemo, and responded, but not as well, as the tumour continued to grow.
Carolyn independently researched Nanoknife (IRE) to find it was available internationally and in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (the only place in Canada currently for Pancreatic cancer)
She was accepted as the first out of province candidiate in Saskatchewan, and chose to have treatment there as it was close to home and still in Canada.
A written request was made to the Ministry of Health in BC for payment assistance, and was denied on the reccomendation of the BC Cancer Agency, on the grounds that it is not part of their standard of care. Chemo therapy is still their standard, even though Nanoknife almost doubles current survival rates.
Nanoknife is a surgical procedure . It is a new cancer treatment for inoperable tumours. The Nanoknife technique destroys soft tissue tumours with an electric current, minimising the risk of damage to nearby organs or blood vessels.
Carolyn's surgery date was May 19th, 2017.
Carolyn has had to front $40k out of her own pocket in order to have the procedure done.
She is a retired healthcare professional.
Funds donated will go directly to the upfront cost of the surgery.
We are grateful that she was able to have her surgery performed in Canada, as this is a life prolonging option beyond chemo.
Carolyn has an incredibly strong will to live. She has a supportive husband, 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren a fantastic network of friends that root for her daily.
Organizer and beneficiary
Andrea Ewan
Organizer
Delta, BC
Carolyn Ewanchyna
Beneficiary
