Just one year after our mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, our family has received more devastating news. My sister, Alina, has been diagnosed with Stage 2B Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer at the young age of 32. The cancer has spread to her lymph nodes and her treatment plan will be intense and physically demanding. Over the next 5 months, Alina will undergo 6 rounds of chemotherapy. She will then have a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery and lymph node removal. Radiation therapy may also be necessary depending on how her body responds to the treatment.

As you can imagine, this news has been overwhelming - filled with shock, fear, and uncertainty. Alina is facing not only the physical and emotional toll of cancer but also the significant financial burden that comes with it.

There are many out-of-pocket expenses that insurance does not fully cover, including:

* Fertility preservation - egg freezing (egg retrieval, labs, medications and yearly storage) to give Alina the chance to have children in the future as chemotherapy can affect fertility. This treatment costs approximately $15,000 plus yearly storage fees.

* Cold capping - freezing of the scalp before, during and after chemotherapy sessions to help reduce hair loss. Cold caps need to be rented on a monthly basis and 50lbs of dry ice needs to be purchased with each treatment.

* Additional medical costs, co-pays, medication’s etc.

If you find it in your heart to help lighten the financial load during this incredibly difficult time our family would be extremely grateful. Alina is one of the strongest and most resilient women we know. No matter how difficult the road ahead may be we know that she will face it with so much strength and courage and she will beat this.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.