I am a mother of two children, ages 3 and 6, and have been a nurse in Spain, Portugal and the UK. In 2022, while still breastfeeding my youngest daughter (who was 2 years old at the time), I experienced a sharp pain in my breast as I hugged my son tightly. After a series of tests, the diagnosis I dreaded most was confirmed: Invasive Carcinoma of the breast, and worse still, it was bilateral (it turned out I also had it in the other breast, even though there was no discomfort or lump sensation). My world crumbled... All I could think was, "Why me? I am a young woman, breastfeeding (having to suddenly stop breastfeeding my daughter was emotionally challenging), leading a healthy lifestyle, and I consider myself a good person who likes to help others..."

The entire treatment process began: neoadjuvant chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomy, and subsequent left axillary lymphadenectomy followed by radiotherapy. Unfortunately, I had a different type of tumor in each breast (which complicates treatment and prognosis), and in the left armpit, there were already six axillary lymph nodes with cancer cells and extranodal extension. As a result, it was determined that in my case, there is a very high risk of recurrence at another site (brain, bone, and liver metastases, thus becoming an incurable disease) within the next 10 years. For this reason, I was advised to undergo further treatment for two more years with Abemaciclib (Verzenius) in combination with hormone therapy.

Unfortunately, unlike the NHS, the Portuguese National Health Service (SNS) does not cover the use of Abemaciclib for recurrence prevention, only for palliative treatment when the disease is already incurable. As this medication has an extremely high cost (about 3,500 euros per month for two years) and is not covered by the Portuguese National Health Service, I do not have the financial means to undergo treatment at a private hospital with the entire cost borne by me.

I know there is no medication that will give me a 100% guarantee of not having cancer again, but I want to cling to whatever offers the highest probability of being there for my children as they grow up.

That's why I'm asking for your help to make this treatment possible, which could increase my life expectancy, through donations of any amount. At the same time, I would appreciate it if you could share this appeal to reach as many people as possible. Any small donation will undoubtedly make all the difference in my journey.

Thank you very much!

Barbara Simoes