Help Vesna M. Fight Cancer
Donation protected
I am seeking your support for my younger sister, Vesna’s cancer treatment.
My 48-year-old sister Vesna Mendebaba lives in Belgrade, Serbia with her husband and 2 teenage daughters. She is full of love and happiness, she is hard-working and supportive of others, easy going, generous and positive person all around.
Hers and her family’s life was turned upside down in 2017 when she was diagnosed with high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with metastasis throughout the abdomen. Her initial surgery was done in March of 2017, where they removed the primary tumor, uterus, and parts of the small and large intestine. After the surgery she was unable to work and was subsequently forced to retire.
Post-surgery she started taking the cancer medication Gleevec (oral cytostatic) that was effective in preventing the growth of metastasis on her liver (the tumors on her liver were not able to be removed surgically). This medication was effective for just under 2 years.
In February 2019 a CT scan showed a new tumor in her abdomen. This tumor has grown from 1.2cm in February 2019 to 9.8cm in January 2020. On January 28th, 2020 she underwent another surgery where only a part of the tumor was removed due to the location and severity of the tumor.
Her only life-saving option is a medication called Sutent that is not covered by any health insurance in Serbia. This medication is used to slow the growth of blood vessels that feed nutrients to cancer cells. By slowing the growth of these blood vessels Sutent can help reduce the size of tumors. The recommended dosage is 50mg once a day for 4 weeks, then a 2-week break. She needs to start this treatment within the next 2 weeks. One pack of 28 capsules cost $6,947.99 CAD, my sister is not able to afford this medication as her family has a monthly income of approximately 800 CAD.
I would appreciate any help you may be able to provide. If you are unable to donate please help by sharing this with others.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting Vesna and her family throughout this difficult journey.
My 48-year-old sister Vesna Mendebaba lives in Belgrade, Serbia with her husband and 2 teenage daughters. She is full of love and happiness, she is hard-working and supportive of others, easy going, generous and positive person all around.
Hers and her family’s life was turned upside down in 2017 when she was diagnosed with high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with metastasis throughout the abdomen. Her initial surgery was done in March of 2017, where they removed the primary tumor, uterus, and parts of the small and large intestine. After the surgery she was unable to work and was subsequently forced to retire.
Post-surgery she started taking the cancer medication Gleevec (oral cytostatic) that was effective in preventing the growth of metastasis on her liver (the tumors on her liver were not able to be removed surgically). This medication was effective for just under 2 years.
In February 2019 a CT scan showed a new tumor in her abdomen. This tumor has grown from 1.2cm in February 2019 to 9.8cm in January 2020. On January 28th, 2020 she underwent another surgery where only a part of the tumor was removed due to the location and severity of the tumor.
Her only life-saving option is a medication called Sutent that is not covered by any health insurance in Serbia. This medication is used to slow the growth of blood vessels that feed nutrients to cancer cells. By slowing the growth of these blood vessels Sutent can help reduce the size of tumors. The recommended dosage is 50mg once a day for 4 weeks, then a 2-week break. She needs to start this treatment within the next 2 weeks. One pack of 28 capsules cost $6,947.99 CAD, my sister is not able to afford this medication as her family has a monthly income of approximately 800 CAD.
I would appreciate any help you may be able to provide. If you are unable to donate please help by sharing this with others.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting Vesna and her family throughout this difficult journey.
Organizer
Dragana Jokic
Organizer
Calgary, AB
