Help Zoia_Charlie Foster beat a brain tumor!
Donation protected
Zoia "Charlie" Foster is fighting a brain tumor. This is their story:
Zoia "Charlie" woke up one morning in late March 2020 with discomfort in their right arm. At first it was unclear what was wrong. Was it just stiffness from sleeping in an uncomfortable position? Given the ongoing covid-19 pandemic in New York City, accessing medical care was a complicated and frightening process.
When Zoia "Charlie's" arm did not improve, other symptoms began to develop, and then they fell to the ground, Zoia "Charlie's" parents rushed them to the emergency room. Zoia "Charlie" was admitted to the intensive care unit. An MRI revealed a mass in their brain stem. Subsequently, after brain surgery and a biopsy, the diagnosis of a high-grade glioma astrocytoma was confirmed.
Since April 6, the date Zoia "Charlie" was diagnosed, the family has been making near daily visits to the hospital for additional diagnostic evaluation, and the beginning of treatment. The family received a grant from the LiveStrong Foundation. The grant, from the Heart Beat Program and Serring Pharmaceutical, covered a portion of the cost of preserving Zoia "Charlie's" eggs to protect Zoia "Charlie's" fertility despite the intensive radiation and chemotherapy treatments that began shortly after the diagnosis. The surgery to remove and preserve Zoia "Charlie's" eggs was performed on April 19, 2020.
As of this writing, Zoia "Charlie" has approximately four additional weeks of daily radiation scheduled. They are also receiving oral chemotherapy.
In the midst of the global pandemic, and a profound personal struggle with cancer, Zoia "Charlie" remains committed to completing their work to graduate from high school, and continue their education in the fall at the local community college, where they have been accepted.
The doctors expect Zoia "Charlie" to respond well to the treatment. The family anticipates unreimbursed medical expenses for radiation, surgery, chemo, travel, and accommodations will amount to tens of thousands of dollars. They may need to obtain medical equipment, pay for unreimbursed physical and occupational therapy, help around the home, meals, convalescent care, and more.
The family is profoundly grateful for any and all support.
Zoia "Charlie" woke up one morning in late March 2020 with discomfort in their right arm. At first it was unclear what was wrong. Was it just stiffness from sleeping in an uncomfortable position? Given the ongoing covid-19 pandemic in New York City, accessing medical care was a complicated and frightening process.
When Zoia "Charlie's" arm did not improve, other symptoms began to develop, and then they fell to the ground, Zoia "Charlie's" parents rushed them to the emergency room. Zoia "Charlie" was admitted to the intensive care unit. An MRI revealed a mass in their brain stem. Subsequently, after brain surgery and a biopsy, the diagnosis of a high-grade glioma astrocytoma was confirmed.
Since April 6, the date Zoia "Charlie" was diagnosed, the family has been making near daily visits to the hospital for additional diagnostic evaluation, and the beginning of treatment. The family received a grant from the LiveStrong Foundation. The grant, from the Heart Beat Program and Serring Pharmaceutical, covered a portion of the cost of preserving Zoia "Charlie's" eggs to protect Zoia "Charlie's" fertility despite the intensive radiation and chemotherapy treatments that began shortly after the diagnosis. The surgery to remove and preserve Zoia "Charlie's" eggs was performed on April 19, 2020.
As of this writing, Zoia "Charlie" has approximately four additional weeks of daily radiation scheduled. They are also receiving oral chemotherapy.
In the midst of the global pandemic, and a profound personal struggle with cancer, Zoia "Charlie" remains committed to completing their work to graduate from high school, and continue their education in the fall at the local community college, where they have been accepted.
The doctors expect Zoia "Charlie" to respond well to the treatment. The family anticipates unreimbursed medical expenses for radiation, surgery, chemo, travel, and accommodations will amount to tens of thousands of dollars. They may need to obtain medical equipment, pay for unreimbursed physical and occupational therapy, help around the home, meals, convalescent care, and more.
The family is profoundly grateful for any and all support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Elizabeth Ten Dyke
Organizer
New York, NY
Pamela Kallimanis
Beneficiary