Stand with Ivana Marcetic: A Single Mother of Five Battling Stage 4 Cancer

Our beloved Ivana, 41 years old — a daughter, sister, and devoted single mother of five — is facing the fight of her life.

In September 2022, at only 37 years old, Ivana was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. Since that devastating diagnosis, her life has been consumed by hospital visits, treatment centers, and unimaginable challenges. Shortly after her diagnosis, she underwent two major surgeries, including the removal of her colon, numerous lymph nodes, and a liver resection to remove metastases. To say the recovery and process were easy would not be true — but Ivana endured with remarkable strength.

Despite her determination, the cancer has continued to spread — first to her lungs, then to additional lymph nodes, and now, heartbreakingly, to her spine, causing severe and constant pain. Still, Ivana continues to fight every single day so she can remain present for her children in any way that she can.

Over the past three years, Ivana has fought tirelessly through three different chemotherapy treatments, two rounds of radiation, multiple procedures, surgeries, and biopsies, and countless MRI, CT, and PET scans.

Ivana does not have the privilege of living close to her immediate family, which has made this journey even more difficult. Many of the essential diagnostic tests required for her illness are not available through local hospitals. As a result, Ivana has been forced to travel to neighboring cities around Belgrade, Serbia, to access these tests and treatments privately, creating an overwhelming financial and emotional burden.

Anyone who has experienced a serious health crisis knows how heavy the emotional toll can be. Access to professional mental health support is vital during times like this, but the cost of therapy adds yet another financial burden for Ivana and her family.

With the cancer now affecting her lungs and spinal column, her doctors have recommended a new and urgent chemotherapy treatment plan. While the family has done everything possible to support Ivana emotionally and financially, the cost of this treatment is extremely high and beyond what one person can carry alone.

To be fully transparent, Ivana’s recommended medications include Avastin chemotherapy (approximately €1,000 per month) in combination with Lonsurf chemotherapy (approximately €6,000 per month). These expenses are in addition to the growing costs of medical care, travel, caregivers, and daily living. Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing the duration of this treatment, but are hoping to account for at least 1 year.

Anyone who knows Ivana knows she has one of the most beautiful and selfless souls. Those closest to her lovingly call her “Mother of Pearl” because she carries a quiet strength and rare beauty of spirit — always putting others first and continuing to shine even through life’s hardest moments.

Above all else, Ivana is a devoted mother whose greatest wish is simply to continue being present for her children.

This GoFundMe has been created to help cover her treatments, medical tests, scans, medications, and ongoing care, and to provide some stability for Ivana and her children during this incredibly difficult time.

Every donation, no matter the size, means the world to Ivana and her family.

If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page so her story can reach as many people as possible.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, support, and prayers.

Eternally grateful,

Family Marcetic & Family Djumic