Help Mou with her Chemo treatment.

Live life to the fullest - because what if tomorrow never comes? Our dear Mou, has always believed in that, and never more than now, at 45, as she battles an aggressive type of breast cancer. We, her school friends of over 30 years, are starting this campaign to help raise funds for the chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries she needs for her treatment - and we’d really appreciate you contributing.

One of the liveliest, loveliest people I have ever known, my incredible and utterly gorgeous schoolfriend Mou has always believed in living in the moment, without any regrets. When she came into our class in Grade 8, her infectious laughter and warmth drew me to her instantly. As we grew closer, I found that underneath that beautiful face, and all of that laughter, lay an inexplicable insecurities which made her feel people liked her only because she was pretty! How could I explain to her that anyone who knew her for even a day, would be foolish to not adore her for the rest of their lives!

In July 2017, Mou moved from Kampala to the United States, intent on pursuing her Masters degree, and securing a great education for her daughter. She paid for everything with her savings. Completing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counselling successfully from Bowling Green State University in 2019, she continues to work to see her bright daughter through school. Mishty is an A-star student at her high school, and a talented artist. Like her mother, she is adored by peers and teachers alike!

A Doctorate and a Diagnosis

With immense pride, Mou started her doctoral programme for Counselling and Supervision at the University of Toledo, Ohio in 2019. She started work as a clinical therapist at Harbor - a community mental health agency to support herself and her daughter, since she was, for all practical purposes, a single mom. Just when everything seemed to be going on track, life threw a massive curve ball her way. One that she says “stunned, angered and humbled” her more than anything. She was diagnosed with BRCA1 & 2 positive, triple negative breast cancer of a genetic mutation, an aggressive growing cancer that needed immediate and equally aggressive treatment. Of the 16 cycles of chemotherapy that she is to be given, 12 are behind her, with 4 more to go. Radiation and surgeries are ahead too, comprising a double mastectomy and removal of her ovaries.

The course and cost of treatment

Though her cancer has been detected early and she is lucky to have a great treatment team and some very supportive friends locally, the cost of treatment in the US is prohibitive. She is being treated at the Toledo Cancer Centre under Dr Shaili Desai, and is being cared for wonderfully. But one chemo alone costs almost $10,000. So we, her closest friends from school, are intent on helping her out with this crowdfunding exercise. We hope you will help us get Mou the treatment she needs, and Mishty the reassurance that her Mum will be healthy soon.

Attitude is everything

Mou exudes positivity every time we call her from India. During her first chemo, she would keep WhatsApping us with updates - they’re giving me ‘The Red Devil now’! With pictures, of course. She took tonnes of beautiful photos with her long hair open before she started chemo, then once she was wearing her hair short, before chemo made her lose the rest of it.

As her birthday Facebook post of May 23 2021 says, “Although cancer can be very scary and a long hard battle, attitude is everything. I am going to get on the other side and be wiser, stronger and more grateful than ever before (yes it’s possible!) Sharing my story is important to me because it might be the key to unlock another persons door. For now, I’m done with __ rounds of chemo, many more to go - but it’s a journey and I intend to make it pleasantly memorable! There will be physical changes and it’s going to be difficult but not impossible to live through. I have my personal Jarvis (Mishty’s interpretation of my Chemo Port) so I’m like Iron Man!”

Can you help us support Mou?

We live thousands of miles away from Mou, and can’t even visit, hug or help her physically, with the pandemic raging ever since her diagnosis. Even through these past few months, Mou has been busy worrying about all of us, insisting we get regular checks done, for hers was detected in a routine yearly exam. Which we will, of course, because this is not just close to home, it’s in the bedroom.

“I am sending my love out to ALL of you, and reminding you that take care of your health both physical and mental. Listen to your body, it tells when you need to fix something. in Dolly Parton’s words “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain!”

If you can donate anything for her treatment, whatever the amount, we shall be deeply grateful. With the medical bills coming in fast and furious, much like the effect of the disease itself, every contribution will propel Mou on the path to getting better.

Can’t tell you how much we appreciate you reading through, and thank you for you support!

With hope in our hearts,

Daughter Mishty and Friends