Lifesaving medical help for Vanessa Andrade Bert

This fundraiser is in support of one of the sweetest souls on earth- a devoted mother, sister and friend - our beloved cousin Vanessa Andrede. We are looking to raise funds to help support Vanessa with an urgent surgery she desperately needs as she battles her cancer diagnosis alongside an impossible state medical system.

In September, Vanessa went to seek medical treatment for some unrelated back pain she had been experiencing when an MRI revealed a malignant tumor in the bone of her right arm that was later diagnosed as a very rare form of cancer known as Chondrosarcoma. Most Chondrosarcomas have a high risk of spreading to other areas of the body, which can make these cancers incredibly difficult to treat. Her recommended treatment is a very complex surgery that can only be completed by a traumatology specialist. Vanessa lives in Chile and only has very basic insurance, so she has been battling the state's medical system for the past 5 months, with no end in sight, to try to get her treatment covered. She spends hours nearly every day either down at their offices or on the phone trying to make progress on her case, meanwhile having no idea if/how the cancer might be spreading within her body. Her oncologist warned her that she needs to have the surgery in the next 1-2 months and urged her to look into going the private route. Unfortunately, she has nowhere near the funds it would take to cover this surgery even with the specialist offering to provide a reduction in fees.

We are raising this money to help Vanessa get this surgery as soon as possible. It may not be the end of the treatments she will need but it's an important and timely first step. She just cannot afford to hold off any longer. We cannot fathom the stress and pressure this must be putting on her as she tries to navigate her cancer diagnosis and the ultimate feeling of complete helplessness to begin a treatment plan to save her life.

Some details about the fundraisers: This GoFundMe was created by Camila and Pablo, Vanessa's cousins. Any and all funds raised will go towards Vanessa's treatment. Since GoFundMe does not operate in Chile, all funds will be sent to us, and we will be sending the donations directly to her. Thank you all so much for your generosity.