Together for Aya against cancer: Your Help, Their Hope

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Community,

My name is Mary Hamoodi and this is my first time launching a GoFundMe campaign for a cause where your compassion will change lives of a mother and her young family.

Aya Ashour and her family have endured an unimaginable tragedy since the humanitarian crisis in Gaza began. Thousands are suffering, so why does Aya need your help?

Aya’s life was turned upside down, like so many others, but her story is particularly devastating: Aya was pregnant with her fourth child. Aya and the family sought refuge from the relentless bombardment in Gaza, but not before losing family members and their home. The situation led to severe medical risks for Aya and her unborn child, placing both in grave danger. A difficult decision was made to deliver prematurely. Amidst the chaos of the brutal conflict, little baby girl Dania was born with life-threatening medical issues.

Aya’s story reached Christopher Fitzpatrick, former Master of the Coombe Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, who was working with the Irish and Egyptian Departments of Foreign Affairs, along with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), to facilitate the family’s emergency medical evacuation to Cairo, Egypt where they are now living in conditions that are far from adequate. The family are struggling to cope with the traumas of displacement from their homeland and caring for young children that have endured more than any innocent child should ever. The full story was covered in the Irish Independent: Read here.

For a moment, things started looking brighter. Baby Dania (10 months old) began gaining strength, their three children (Marwan, 13; Mousa, 11; and Talia, 9) were adjusting to new lives, while Aya and Ibrahim – her dedicated husband and devoted father of four – tried to keep the ship steady. However, this short-lived sense of peace was shattered for the family when Aya was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Everyone knows the vital role a mother plays in the family. Khalil Gilbran expressed it beautifully: “The mother is everything – she is our consolation in sorrow, our hope in misery, and our strength in weakness. She is the source of love, mercy, sympathy, and forgiveness.”

This is who Aya is to her family.

Unfortunately, the medical system in Egypt is at a breaking point, leaving the family fully responsible for Aya’s cancer treatment. Aya has begun receiving chemotherapy treatment under the supervision of Dr. Mohamed Al-Qadi. Each chemotherapy session costs €500, and Aya is expecting to require at least 8 sessions of chemotherapy. Following chemotherapy, Aya will require surgery, which is estimated to cost €2,500. We are hopeful for the best-case scenario - that Aya’s recovery and response to treatment will align with the prognosis and guidance provided by her medical team - but additional costs for analysis, screening and supplementary drug treatment is likely. Compounding the family’s financial strain, Mr Ibrahim is prohibited from working in Egypt, leaving them humbly reliant on external support.

Our goal is to fundraise €25,000 to cover Aya’s related medical expenses and support her 4 children with basic needs during her treatment.

All funds will be managed by me and will be used exclusively to cover Aya’s medical costs, her recovery journey, and her children’s care.

Aya and her family have expressed their heartfelt gratitude for your thoughts, prayers and contributions during these challenging times.

She sends her warmest regards and deepest appreciation for your kind support.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity.