A Mother Battling Cancer and War: Help Me Stay by My Childre

Hello, I am Fefe (Fayza abd hassan) from Gaza, a mother of 10 children—nine of whom I gave birth to, and one child I adopted, named Kareem. The hardest thing I have faced is the absence of my son Yousef, who has been imprisoned by the occupation for a year now. I haven’t heard his voice in a long time, and I don’t know if he is alive or dead. This pain follows me every day.

I am married to Az, my beloved and partner in this life, who suffers from serious health issues; he has undergone a CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) surgery and has heart failure and diabetes. Recently, due to his ongoing sadness about Yousef, we discovered that he has high blood pressure, which has added more pressure to our lives.

Two years ago, I received another shock. After a period of physical pain, I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. That moment felt like a nightmare, as I felt my dream of being a mother to my children for a long time slipping away. Unfortunately, the cancer spread alarmingly, forcing me to travel to Egypt for medical tests that were unavailable in Gaza.

Upon my return, I faced a painful decision: the necessity of removing my breast. How could I face this decision? I had to undergo costly hormonal treatment, which gradually stripped me of my femininity and appearance. I wore a mask of strength in front of my children, but I felt like I was fighting a double battle: one against the illness and another from the pain of Yousef’s absence.

With the ongoing war in Gaza, the challenges have intensified. I am no longer able to follow up on my treatment or undergo the necessary tests, and I don’t know how far the cancer has spread in my body. That is why I am here today to ask for your help.

I need your support to provide for our basic needs such as food and water, as well as to pay the rent for the home that shelters us. I also want to plan to travel with my family to escape this war. The funds raised will help me buy essential medications, meet my family’s needs, and seek a safe place away from this suffering.

Every contribution from you will have a significant impact on our lives and help me maintain hope for a better tomorrow. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and solidarity.