Irina's yahrzeit (anniversary) is on the 27th of Adar based on the Jewish calendar. This year it falls on March 27th. We are holding a hakamat hamatzevah (headstone unveiling) ceremony on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 10am at the Mount Richmond Cemetery, 420 Clarke Ave, Staten Island. For additional details, please contact Alex Avtsin.(https://www.facebook.com/avtsin)

Sincerely,

Friends of Irina

*** The original fundraiser summary is below **

A few weeks ago, Irina’s life turned upside down.

She’s been quite sick for a few months when a doctor finally got to the root of the problem: the two tumors in her colon. At that time, she was under 100 lbs and quite weak – unable to eat properly, in never-ending pain, both during the day and at night. Then the doctors found another tumor in her kidney. It was the word that all of us dread and fear: cancer.

Then, a spot was found on the liver. More news followed: the cancer has metastasized.

Irina underwent a few major surgeries: a resection of the colon, during which a part of the colon is taken out; her ovary, a kidney and a part of the liver had been removed. The surgeons also removed 35 lymph nodes, 10 of which were found to be malignant.

The pathology report confirmed our worse fears. It is stage IV colorectal cancer.

The surgery was not as successful as we had hoped: for the first week, Irina’s stomach refused to work for days after, leaving her unable to eat or even drink water.

However, two days ago, she slowly started to hold down liquids and soft foods. Yesterday, she was sent home.

Irina has been so brave through it all. She is still very weak, in pain and exhausted. The next step is to take her to see an oncologist, who will then determine the course of action (likely chemo or radiation or both) and give us the prognosis.

Irina’s insurance covers her treatment at 80%. The hospital bills are astronomical. And then there are medical expenses and copays, transportation to and from treatment and doctor visits, legal aspects, outpatient care and nurse visits, and basic living expenses -- setting up her recovery at home, organizing food and basic needs.

The money will also pay for her 84-year-old mom, who lives in New Jersey, to visit her in the hospital in Manhattan during Irina's lengthy recovery. (For those of you who don't know, Irina lost her dad in April. Her mom is trying to cope with the reality of the new situation with her husband gone, and her daughter ill. Irina is an only child.)

This is our time to help Irina. Every donation counts - no matter how small. Thank you. Please keep sharing.

PS Irina is speechless at the outpouring of love and support. And so incredibly grateful. Thank you to every single one of you, you are tremendous!

Sincerely,

Friends of Irina