Immunotherapy for Mirose

Hi, I'm Irna Laurencine, a humble voice for our family. We are here to raise £60,000 to cover the cost of life-saving Immunotherapy treatment for our beloved Mirose. A treatment targeting and boosting the immune system to help the body fight cancer cells.

Mirose is currently grappling with Triple Negative Stage IV Metastatic breast cancer. Immunotherapy is the only available therapy for Triple Negative patients. A rare diagnosis affecting 13 out of 100,000 women.

Living in Seychelles, the health care system is limited to chemotherapy. Any specialist treatments are only available abroad at the patient's initiative and personal costs. Mirose has no personal health insurance coverage. An option not available to Seychellois.

The funds will buy and ship 12 months' supply of immunotherapy drugs from India to be administered locally in Seychelles. This is the ultimate chance for Mirose's successful closure of her surviving cancer.

Together, we can afford this much-needed treatment for Mirose and show her that she is not alone in her quest to conquer cancer. Not just to survive but to thrive and live a wonderful life again. We benevolent humans, we will make this happen. With deepest gratitude and on behalf of all, I thank you for your kindness, your selflessness, for your generous donation(s)

Mirose's Story:

Mirose Angelique Laurencine is 52 years old, a vibrant radiant individual living in Seychelles. She is my younger sister, the 10th of 11 siblings. She is a mum of 3 and also a grandmother of 3. She has been single since 2017 after the sudden death of her partner of 13 years. She embraced the sole breadwinner role and made it work. This picture was taken in Aug 2020, life was good!

Mirose is a survivor of triple-negative breast cancer, first diagnosed in 1995. A malignant lump was discovered and removed from her left breast, followed by intensive courses of chemo and radio. She was just 24 years old with 2 children under the age of 4. The treatment was successful and she has been in remission for 25 years, until…

In October 2020 a routine check revealed the cancer had returned. Her whole world bottomed out. The emotional rollercoaster of shock, disbelief, hurt, anger, tears kept looping around. The reality was harsh and overwhelmingly paralysing.

As before Mirose dug deep. Her unconquerable soul will not succumb to this diagnosis. Living is the only option and there is a clean bill of health out there that she will claim. She has been relentless in addressing the recurrent in the past by 3 years, undergoing rigorous and challenging courses of treatments. The majority have been privately funded by family, friends and credit cards.

Embracing chemotherapy - Dec 2020. "Kissing it better" - daughter Hellenie

With partial assistance from the health services of Seychelles, Mirose opted and co-funded for further specialist treatment abroad. In March 2021, she navigated the challenges of Covid, travelled and spent 7 weeks at the Miot hospital in India. She underwent a radical mastectomy removing part of her pectoral muscle, as well as 15 cycles of radiotherapy. This was followed by 6 months of chemo, locally.

Honouring her breast and surrendering to mastectomy. "Am ready!"

Cuddling up with daughter Arlette in India, recovering from mastectomy.

In Nov 2021, after 1 year of back-to-back treatment, a private PET CT scan in Abu Dhabi gave the all clear. The cancer was gone!

A private follow-up a year later in Dec 2022 in Abu Dhabi showed the cancer was back. It has spread to her lungs. Further investigations and procedures followed over 3 weeks – an extension to her original 3 days. This included a 3 nights inpatient stay in a hospital in Dubai for a specialist biopsy chest surgery. The result was devastating. Triple Negative Stage IV Metastatic breast cancer!

How do you pick yourself up from there, alone in a foreign land, holding it all together for your 18 years old son who had accompanied you? How do you reassure him that all will be well and shut down the voices in his head reminding him of the loss of his father 5 years ago? The recovery from the surgery was slow and vibrations had hit rock bottom. Her spirituality graced her with peace. She connected with her God and he held her hands and walked with her. She was cleared for travel and returned to Seychelles on Christmas eve. However, the Grinch had stolen Christmas.

She has just finished a further 6 months course of chemo started in Jan 2023. This had been very trying, needing boosters for white blood count and battling a low heart rate. In Mirose’s own words, “I’m a survivor”, “I will persevere”. She remains positive and hopeful. As I write, she arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday for yet another PET CT scan post the latest chemo.

The next step is Immunotherapy. It is the only therapy available for triple-negative patients. The biopsy sample harvested in Abu Dhabi has confirmed Mirose has the correct receptors for the effectiveness of the treatment. This lifesaving treatment is estimated at an out-of-pocket cost of £60,000. All private resources have been depleted/exhausted on prior treatments. Mirose needs our help.

This campaign is to raise £60,000 for Immunotherapy. The funds will buy and bring the medication for local administration in Seychelles. Let’s get this much-needed treatment to Mirose.

Your generous donations will give her the survival chance against this relentless disease. Your kindness will also offer hope, strength, and the knowledge that others stand beside her during this challenging time. Together, we can afford this much-needed treatment for Mirose and show her that she is not alone in her quest to conquer cancer.

Mirose work in the financial sector and she also dedicates her time volunteering for the Seychelles Cancer Concern Association, recently appointed Vice Chairman. Mirose advocates for equity in cancer care and works with caregivers to support cancer patients in an environment where these services are lacking. Her unwavering strength and determination have inspired cancer patients and colleagues alike. She has been a voice of inspiration giving interviews on local media platforms.

2015 Cancer Walk in memory of our eldest sister Maria who lost her fight to breast cancer.

Left to right: Bernadette, Irna, Mirose - Sisters united.

Prostate cancer awareness. Feb 2023

Breast cancer awareness walk, beach final stop - Oct2022

Every help matters. Irrespective of the amount, all donations are valuable. It takes us a step nearer to our goal. Even if you can't make a financial donation, we appreciate your help to share the fundraising and spreading the word. Thank you very much. God Bless ❤️