Main fundraiser photo

Mimi's Cancer Treatment

OUR MIMI
Our beloved Mimi (Bari Arquilla), of Fairhope, Alabama, has been recently diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic cancer.   She is a master cosmotologist, and still working.  She has been a resident of the Fairhope/Daphne area for over 30 years. 

While she has not yet completely decided on her course of treatment (we will update as we know more), over the past three weeks, we have learned that we have several options.   She will either do Chemotherapy in conjunction with alternative, holistic treatments, or alternative, holistic treatments on their own.  There are pros and cons to each.

Chemotherapy has the potential to be life-saving, yet it is also toxic and unable distinquish between cancerous cells and healthy cells.  Thus, an intimidating list of potential side effects that could keep Mimi from working.  As pancreatic cancer is incurable,  it is impossible to know exactly how much time chemotherapy on its own will gain, however, the average is three to six additional months of life.  Possibly a little less, possibly a little more.


ALTERNATIVE/HOLISTIC THERAPIES
According to the National Cancer Institute, large dose Vitamin C therapy has shown to slow down the growth and spread of cancer, specifically pancreatic cancer, and animal studies have shown this treatment to block tumor growth.  Additionally, high dose vitamin c treatment has been shown to improve quality of life, counteracting chemo symptoms, should she decide to go that route as well.  This therapy has very few side effects.

Oxygen and specifically ozone infusion treatments have been shown to be possibly as effective as chemo/radiation without killing healthy cells.  Ozone has also been shown to target pathogenic cells, and selectively kills or damages cancer cells, sometimes killing cancer cells on contact.  The only known side-effect is short term flu-like symptoms.  This therapy has also been shown to improve quality of life while patients are going through traditional treatments.

We are also searching for clinical trials for new and innovative immunotherapies that have shown promise in the area of pancreatic cancer.

Additionally, she will harness the power of nutrition, eating 100% organic foods, juicing fresh fruits and vegetables, and taking supplements.

Ultimately, the hope is that these strategies boost her immune system to a level that will fight and/or slow down the progression of this cancer.


FINANCING CANCER TREATMENT
Frankly, our mom is mortified to ask for financial assistance from anyone.  She is 70, independent, self-supporting, and still working.  She wants to keep working.  

However, insurance does not cover alternative treatments, nor does it cover all of chemotherapy.  As a matter of fact, her health insurance company has already denied the medication that would be prescribed to counteract chemo side effects, making alternative holistic treatments even more critical should she decide on chemotherapy.  Her co-pay for chemo is $400 per treatment, three times per month.  $1,200 per month.  We anticipate the cost of alternative vitamin c treatments and ozone/oxygen treatments to be approximately $500 per week, for an estimated total of $3,200 per month.  Should we be able to get Mimi into an immunotherapy clinical trial, the cost of the treatment may be covered, however, travel and lodging would not.   That cost is yet unknown.

THE POSSIBILITIES
Immunotherapy clinical trials and alternative holistic treatments are not merely grasping at straws.  While we know the statistics, and that there are no promises, a longer, higher quality of life is absolutely possible. 

Given the aggressive nature of this type of cancer, these treatments must begin as quickly as possible.

THANK YOU!
We have asked for an amount large enough to cover our estimation of about a year of treatments.  We are very optimistic and very hopeful.

We also strongly believe in the power of prayer.  Whether or not you are able to donate, we ask you to pray, place our mom on all your prayer lists, and share this campaign. If you are able to donate, our family sincerely thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.


God Bless,
Mimi's Kids - Vito Delorto, Alan and Vickie Akin, and Justine Delorto

You can learn more about Mimi's jouney here
https://mimistrong.weebly.com/blog

#Mimistrong
#GOPurpleforMimi
Donate

Donations 

  • Michael Delorto
    • $50 
    • 6 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Vickie Delorto Akin
Organizer
Fairhope, AL

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.