My name is Lorena, and I am Klarissa’s aunty. With her full consent, I am sharing her story to support her through a journey no 23-year-old should ever have to face.

On 13 December 2025, our world stopped when Klarissa was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

Klarissa is only 23, vibrant, kind, and full of hope for her future. Cancer was never meant to be part of her story.

Earlier this year, Klarissa found a lump and did everything right. She sought medical advice immediately and was reassured by doctors and specialists that it was a benign fibroadenoma (a common, benign (non-cancerous) breast lump). So, she spent the next 6 months taking on medical specialists advice and went on living her life, not worrying about it.

By December, Klarissa noticed the lump had grown. During this time she had been put on a waitlist but was never contacted as she was told countlessly “ its not urgent as it’s begin, and lots of people your age have them” “ it’s nothing to worry about”.

Klarissa’s mother Franca encouraged her to try get referred elsewhere to be “safe”. Klarissa advocated for her self and was eventually referred to Dr Su-Wen Loh a Specialist Breast Surgeon at Melbourne Breast Unit. Who, upon observation recommended removal. Again, there were no warnings, no red flags and no means for concern.

Just days after surgery, Klarissa received a life changing phone call asking her to urgently (that afternoon) meet with Dr Su-Wen Loh at the Melbourne Breast Unit - Epworth.

On 13 December 2025, I sat beside her as she heard the words no one ever expects to hear:

“You have breast cancer.”

She felt immense shock, disbelief and was extremely overwhelmed due to the unexpected outcome.

A Journey No Young Woman Should Face. Since that day, everything has moved at a relentless pace. Klarissa has already undergone additional surgery, including biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes due to her aggressive cancer causing concern of spreading. Also surgery to insert a chemotherapy port. She has also undergone urgent egg retrieval surgery to protect her chance of becoming a mother one day, a decision driven by cancer, not choice.

She now faces chemotherapy, and later on further surgeries including breast removal (mastectomy), complex reconstruction, along with ongoing scans, specialist care and ongoing treatment.

Why Support Is Needed

Klarissa’s treatment involves significant medical costs, many of which are not fully covered by health insurance. Fertility preservation is classified as “elective,” yet it may be her only safeguard for being a future parent which cancer threatens to take away.

At just 23 years old, no one should be fighting cancer while also worrying about how to afford the care they need to survive.

How the Funds Will Be Used

Fundraising Goal: $70,000

Estimated medical costs include:

    •    $8,000 – Egg retrieval surgery and preservation

    •    $10,000 – Long-term egg storage

    •    $45,000 – Chemotherapy, surgery, breast reconstruction (mastectomy), ongoing treatment, scans, and recovery

•    $5,000-7,000 - for wigs as Klarissa’s chemotherapy treatment involves hair loss.

With Gratitude

Thank you for taking the time to read Klarissa’s story. Every donation and share helps ease the financial burden so Klarissa can focus on healing and holding onto her future.

Thank you for standing beside her and helping her fight.

With love and gratitude,

Lorena