Support Julie’s Cervical Cancer Treatment
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Hi friends. My name is Julie. In November of 2022, I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. After much consideration, I am raising funds to pay for medical costs, many of which are not covered by insurance. The main treatment I am undergoing is called PDT, or photodynamic therapy.
Read more about PDT in a guide of resources I created from my experience over the past 19 months: CC Resource Guide ❤️
Studies show that PDT has very few side effects and a high success rate compared to surgery, chemo and radiation.
I’m raising funds for 2 rounds of treatment, doctor’s visits and scans for the upcoming 3 months. Any additional funds will go towards future medical expenses.
Any amount you’re willing and able to contribute is greatly appreciated, and if you aren’t able to contribute monetarily at this time, a share with your network would mean so so much.
Find out more about my story below. Pictured below are most of the 54 books I've read in the past 19 months, which I've linked to in my guide.
The longer story
If you know me, this news may be shocking, and it was for me as well. 12 months prior to receiving this news, during a routine checkup with my OBGYN, I was told that I had abnormal changes that “should go away on their own” with no further action. After the most emotionally difficult period of my time following that checkup, the changes didn’t go away. When receiving the news that the pre-cancerous cells had turned into cancer, my OBGYN told me that although I did everything right, I was “unlucky.”
I do not believe “luck” is the reason for physiological changes in my body.
I’ve been very private, focused and determined to understand, and treat the root cause of my health before opting for conventional treatments.
What is PDT?
PDT is a non-invasive localized treatment, has very few side effects, a short healing time with no scarring, and is highly tolerant to repeated doses with little to no resistance. PDT allows patients to preserve their fertility, whereas surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy most often induce infertility among a laundry list of other potentially harmful or fatal side effects.
Why this is important to me?
Knowing what I know now, I believe that this shouldn't have happened to me, and shouldn't happen to anyone else.
As a woman who previously worked at a female reproductive healthcare startup, I know how difficult it is for information about women's health to be shared publicly, let alone FOUND easily.
This is a complex topic that goes very deep... I hope my story and the guide I am sharing helps others who desire better options and outcomes for their health through easier access to life-changing information. Especially women, because we need all the help we can get.
Why have I never heard of PDT?
PDT is a treatment that is not regulated by the US government, and is not deemed "standard of care." However, it is commonly used in other countries with a high rate of success, and little side effects.
Why is PDT so expensive?
Compared to surgery, chemo or radiation, it's actually less expensive (but still a LOT out of pocket since it's not covered by insurance).
Here’s a quick cost comparison:
- PDT: 1 round, 3 treatments ($9800)
- Surgery: The median total expenditure for patients with surgery as the primary treatment is $37,222 (interquartile range, $20,957–$75,555).
- Surgery and radiotherapy: The median total expenditure per patient during the first year after the diagnosis was $56,250 (interquartile range, $25,767–$107,532). Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Why not just opt for surgery, and/or chemo?
I don't believe that a lack of chemo is the reason for cellular changes in my body. Additionally, both chemo and surgery are not a fix-all. In my research, if the root cause is not addressed, cancer can come back or spread after surgery or chemo.
- In 2005, Guy Faguet, MD an oncologist who spent his career as a researcher at the National Cancer Institute wrote an expose noting that “chemotherapy is curative in about 2% of cancers. Yet chemo is given to 2/3 of cancer patients. And chemo may even cause the cancer to spread or metastasize.” *Source: Beating Cancer With Nutrition, p.45*
- In a survey of 79 Canadian oncologists, all of them would encourage patients with non-small cell lung cancer to participate in a chemotherapy protocol, yet 58% said that they themselves would not participate in such a therapy and 81% said they would not take cisplatin (a chemo drug) under any circumstances. *Source: Beating Cancer With Nutrition, p.51*
- Only 5% of the $5.7 billion annual budget for the National Cancer Institute is spent on prevention. *Source: 12 Keys to a Healthier Cancer Patient, p. 12*
- Many tumors will initially respond when chemo or radiation are applied, yet tumors often develop drug-resistance and are then unaffected by therapy. *Source: 12 Keys to a Healthier Cancer Patient, p. 12*
- Allopathic Medicine simply does not offer us the opportunity to ask root cause problems, questions, or come up with root solutions. Source: Zach Bush, M.D.
Thank you for your consideration. I am so grateful to be here, connecting with you.
With gratitude,
Julie ❤️
Organizer
Julianne Murrell
Organizer
Costa Mesa, CA