Help Kelly Fight Cervical Cancer
Donation protected
2020 has been a shocking year for so many already, but just when you think things couldn't get worse, it did for our dear friend Kelly...
On the 29th of December 2019, Kelly lost her beautiful mom Siobhan to Neuroendocrine Cancer and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, and although Siobhan fought like an absolute warrior, unfortunately, Kelly and her loved ones watched as her mom deteriorated in front of their very eyes. For months at a time, Siobhan was flown from Mkushi, Zambia to Johannesburg, South Africa, spending long periods of time in a hospital, racking up not only emotional distress but a huge financial strain for their family.
Regrettably, not even nine months later, Kelly has been diagnosed with invasive Cervical Cancer, caused by the HPV virus, which has not only left her family and friends in a state of shock but has left both Kelly and her husband Greg reeling.
Anyone who knows Kelly knows she is THE single most determined and spirited person. She's the one you want in your corner when things get tough. The one who fights for the underdog. She's the rebel and the peacemaker at the same time. She's a force to be reconned with, but a sensitive soul with her heart on her sleeve. She's the pink-haired girl who is determined to get through this, but most importantly she's the most loyal daughter, sister, wife and friend anyone could ask for.
Kelly's diagnosis is still so fresh, and after having a second opinion, the doctors have confirmed she also has Lymphovascular Invasion, which means there is a 20% chance the cancer is already in her lymph nodes, which heightens the risk of it spreading to the rest of her body! As this news was only discovered recently (25th September 2020) her treatment plan is still up in the air and of course, the news is still sinking in. As it stands, Kelly is currently undergoing urgent fertility treatment (with Greg, bravely and remorsefully administering the daily injections), where hopefully the doctor is able to retrieve any viable eggs, so frozen embryos can be stored thus allowing a chance for Kelly and Greg to have their own children.
Adding another element to this already confusing news, Kelly and Greg have been given a short timeline to make these decisions and therefore have only one chance to retrieve the eggs, as time is of the essence to operate on Kelly. Currently, her operation date has been set for the 19th of October 2020, where a team of doctors will try to cut out/remove the cancer if possible (which includes removing Kelly's cervix and lymph nodes in the pelvic region), and hopefully that working, she can avoid radiation and/or chemotherapy. However, only once the surgeon is operating on Kelly, will they be able to see just how invasive the cancer is, and if they believe her life is at risk, they will proceed with a radical hysterectomy and lymph node removal.
In typical Kelly style, she has taken this devastating news and turned it into something so beautiful, raising awareness of Cervical Cancer and HPV with a series of videos, in the hope she can save even one life or prevent anyone else having to go through the same ordeal so unnecessarily.
If you want to follow the journey Kelly is on, please visit her Facebook or Instagram accounts or visit the video's here.
Sadly, however, the news got worse just a few days ago! A few months after her mom died, Kelly and Greg decided to change their local medical aid provider and plan to a higher and more internationally recognized medical insurance to avoid the financial strain they watched her poor mom/family go through. Kelly always said she would hate to ever be a burden on her family if she or Greg ever got an illness, so they decided to financially commit to the increased cover so that if they ever needed to be covered, they wouldn't be a burden on anyone else. Selfless right!
Well, who would have thought that this would have ever been the case, but unfortunately (after much back and forth) their new medical insurance provider has confirmed they will not cover any medical bills, as apparently due to 'atypical cells' found in a previous pap smear, it is considered a pre-existing condition. So, their worst nightmare has come true and everyone knows this is not something you want to go through, without being fully covered, especially in Africa!!
From her friends (because she would never ask herself), we would like to send a heartfelt request to help in any way you can, as even the smallest donation will go so far and also give Kelly and Greg a huge amount of support as they tackle this very difficult time, not only with the related surgery costs, the required fertility treatment, potential radiation or chemotherapy which has not been ruled out at this stage, but also the financial impact on her livelihood as she started her own event business just before the COVID pandemic hit.
A sincere thank you, to anyone that is able to help.
On the 29th of December 2019, Kelly lost her beautiful mom Siobhan to Neuroendocrine Cancer and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, and although Siobhan fought like an absolute warrior, unfortunately, Kelly and her loved ones watched as her mom deteriorated in front of their very eyes. For months at a time, Siobhan was flown from Mkushi, Zambia to Johannesburg, South Africa, spending long periods of time in a hospital, racking up not only emotional distress but a huge financial strain for their family.
Regrettably, not even nine months later, Kelly has been diagnosed with invasive Cervical Cancer, caused by the HPV virus, which has not only left her family and friends in a state of shock but has left both Kelly and her husband Greg reeling.
Anyone who knows Kelly knows she is THE single most determined and spirited person. She's the one you want in your corner when things get tough. The one who fights for the underdog. She's the rebel and the peacemaker at the same time. She's a force to be reconned with, but a sensitive soul with her heart on her sleeve. She's the pink-haired girl who is determined to get through this, but most importantly she's the most loyal daughter, sister, wife and friend anyone could ask for.
Kelly's diagnosis is still so fresh, and after having a second opinion, the doctors have confirmed she also has Lymphovascular Invasion, which means there is a 20% chance the cancer is already in her lymph nodes, which heightens the risk of it spreading to the rest of her body! As this news was only discovered recently (25th September 2020) her treatment plan is still up in the air and of course, the news is still sinking in. As it stands, Kelly is currently undergoing urgent fertility treatment (with Greg, bravely and remorsefully administering the daily injections), where hopefully the doctor is able to retrieve any viable eggs, so frozen embryos can be stored thus allowing a chance for Kelly and Greg to have their own children.
Adding another element to this already confusing news, Kelly and Greg have been given a short timeline to make these decisions and therefore have only one chance to retrieve the eggs, as time is of the essence to operate on Kelly. Currently, her operation date has been set for the 19th of October 2020, where a team of doctors will try to cut out/remove the cancer if possible (which includes removing Kelly's cervix and lymph nodes in the pelvic region), and hopefully that working, she can avoid radiation and/or chemotherapy. However, only once the surgeon is operating on Kelly, will they be able to see just how invasive the cancer is, and if they believe her life is at risk, they will proceed with a radical hysterectomy and lymph node removal.
In typical Kelly style, she has taken this devastating news and turned it into something so beautiful, raising awareness of Cervical Cancer and HPV with a series of videos, in the hope she can save even one life or prevent anyone else having to go through the same ordeal so unnecessarily.
If you want to follow the journey Kelly is on, please visit her Facebook or Instagram accounts or visit the video's here.
Sadly, however, the news got worse just a few days ago! A few months after her mom died, Kelly and Greg decided to change their local medical aid provider and plan to a higher and more internationally recognized medical insurance to avoid the financial strain they watched her poor mom/family go through. Kelly always said she would hate to ever be a burden on her family if she or Greg ever got an illness, so they decided to financially commit to the increased cover so that if they ever needed to be covered, they wouldn't be a burden on anyone else. Selfless right!
Well, who would have thought that this would have ever been the case, but unfortunately (after much back and forth) their new medical insurance provider has confirmed they will not cover any medical bills, as apparently due to 'atypical cells' found in a previous pap smear, it is considered a pre-existing condition. So, their worst nightmare has come true and everyone knows this is not something you want to go through, without being fully covered, especially in Africa!!
From her friends (because she would never ask herself), we would like to send a heartfelt request to help in any way you can, as even the smallest donation will go so far and also give Kelly and Greg a huge amount of support as they tackle this very difficult time, not only with the related surgery costs, the required fertility treatment, potential radiation or chemotherapy which has not been ruled out at this stage, but also the financial impact on her livelihood as she started her own event business just before the COVID pandemic hit.
A sincere thank you, to anyone that is able to help.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ashleigh Le Roux
Organizer
Kelly Meredith
Beneficiary