Help Mechelle Fight Triple Negative Breast Cancer

 

In April 2020, during an already isolating time, Mechelle Kulker received a diagnosis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) - the most aggressive type of breast cancer which currently has no targeted therapies. Mechelle started treatment in May 2020 which included chemotherapy, radiation and a lumpectomy.

 

Unfortunately, after a year of treatment in May 2021, Mechelle received the news that the cancer had spread to her lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes. After attempting a promising immunotherapy/ targeted drug trial and later another chemotherapy, she learned that the tumour had continued to grow substantially and that it had also spread to her brain.

 

Her oncologist has made it clear that the best chance of extending her life is obtaining the drug Trodelvy currently available in the States. Health Canada has approved this drug however it won’t be available from the drug company until November, which, at this rate, may be too late. The cost for one cycle (3 week) treatment is $25,000.00 US and continues until the drug is available in Canada.

 

When Mechelle found out her cancer was terminal, the first words out of her mouth were “Now I will never get to teach again.” She cares so deeply for everyone, especially her students. Anyone who knows Mechelle, knows that she is the most positive, radiant, incredible person. Her beauty, both inside and out, shines in everything that she does - her smile can light up even the darkest room. Even though she is the one dealing with this hardship, she has been a rock for her family and friends through this whole fight. They will be lost without her. Mechelle would go above and beyond for anyone, giving her last dollar or the shirt off her back to help someone who needed it. Please do as she would for any of you and help her continue to fight.

If there is any unused money raised through this Go Fund Me it will be donated to the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre to aid in the research of a new targeting treatment (https://muhc.ca/news-and-patient-stories/releases/new-study-paves-way-novel-treatment-triple-negative-breast-cancer) and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute to help with further research on TNBC therapies.