***9/9 Update: I am happy to announce that Mirela has been back home since last Friday! Despite having great difficulty moving around because about 25 centimeters of her adductor muscle was removed, she was even able to take her little boy to school this morning for the start of the school year. She underwent 3 sessions of brachytherapy last week in Italy, and is now starting a protocol of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, coordinated by the Italian clinic but carried out in Romania. The next 4 months will be decisive regarding the risk of recurrence.

Thank you again for this wonderful act of generosity and compassion!! ***

Hello, I’m Stéphanie Anciaux, Director of the Process & Certifications office. I am organizing a fundraiser to support Mirela Iugulescu, one of our dedicated employees at the PTC office in Bucharest, who is going through a terrible personal ordeal. This is her story: "I'm Mirela from Bucharest, Romania. I’m 42 years old and I have a 6-year-old boy and a 6-month-old girl.

I have a 6.5 cm Synovial Sarcoma in the adductor muscle of my right thigh, which is a very rare malignant tumor. This needs to be removed as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading.

It was discovered during a routine medical check-up. I initially thought it was a twisted muscle, but the doctors sent me for an MRI and biopsy. The tumor is located near the femoral vein, which complicates the situation. I was told by the healthcare in Romania that I would need my leg amputated from the hip down, so I went to Italy to see a specialized sarcoma surgeon. In Italy, I was informed that with radiotherapy and surgery, I can keep my leg and it will remain functional.

The medical bills in Italy are estimated at 37,000 EUR, but will not be covered by my Romanian health insurance. I need this amount before August 26th to be scheduled for surgery on August 28th.

I don’t have the time to get the funds from government insurance as the procedure is complicated, and a local doctor would have to confirm that the surgery can’t be done in my country.

Thank you in advance for your help!"