Scheffer Strong - Carmen's fight

In January 2024 my sister Carmen was diagnosed with Angiosarcoma, a very rare and aggressive type of tissue cancer. It hit us all like a tonne of bricks. Over this time I've learned that half of Australians will get cancer by the time they're 85. HALF. That's every second person reading this.

Carmen's whole life got turned upside down. After months of not being taken seriously by doctors and hospitals, she was finally diagnosed, but due to immediate care not being available to her in Canada, she decided to move home immediately to Sydney leaving her fiance Zach, their puppies, a mortgage and a job she loved. During her 24 rounds of chemo it was decided to save her life they would need to amputate her leg on 10th of July.

This has been the most difficult time our family has ever been through.

Being the incredibly strong and resilient person Carmen is, she has risen to the occasion. She fought through chemotherapy (more to come), hairloss, multiple MRIs, PET scans, X-rays, biopsies, blood tests and one major surgery. She spoke at a Sarcoma gala about her own experience on her birthday. Every day she makes us immensely proud of the person she is.

If you've ever met my sister you would know she goes above and beyond for people she loves and even strangers. She is the most generous person I know.

The surgery leaves a long road of rehab ahead of her, an unknown world of prosthetics, learning to walk again, the use of mobility aids (crutches and wheelchairs) as well as eventual accessibility renovations to her house and her car. Any donation will help make life a little easier for her.

Thank you, from all of us!