Hana's Fight 2 Survive Glioblastoma

Hi Everyone,

My name is Devin Dzelme. I am the son of Hana. My mom was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme - a rare brain cancer that so far has no known cure, at least for now.

While I was in Australia she was diagnosed, and since has had 3 brain surgeries and countless chemo treatments. The cancer has become resitant and now she is deemed palliative - having 6 months left to live.

Her oncologist has been amazing however they did pose one option; it may not cure the cancer as it is very agressive, but there is a chance it could, and if not, minimize and supress tumour growth. This will allow mom to live her life longer, with meaning, see her family (which are currently living around the world) and have a fighting chance at life!

Ontario has a specialized treatment but they do not advertise it, nor do they cover it under OHIP. The treatment is called Avastin.

This is a new cancer treatement which uses localization techniques to target tumours and the tissue surrounding it.

See link (https://www.avastin.com/patient/mcrc/about/how-avastin-works.html)

Our oncologist mentioned statistically there was a 70% success rate in either eradicating the tumour or surpressing it and giving patients a chance at life. 

We love our mother dearly and we hate to see her in this state. It is hard on us because we cannot afford a treatment that is available, but not paid by our government (which in Canada, begs the question why we are not getting the best treatment possible).

This should be a non-issue in Canada since we have universal health care and one that trumps most countries. Well, that is not the case anymore as it seems those who are poor or mid income die based on the current treatment schemes offered in Canada.

Why do we pay mandatory taxes for treatments that has lower success rates? (We will try to bring this to the new networks to questions the accessible health care Canadians need in a society where we are seeing cancers develop rapidly).

With Avastin the cost is expensive. But here is the break down / rationalization of how much we need:

- Recomended dose = 10mg/kg
-Mom is 60kg
-She needs 600mg per treatment
-on average the total cost for mom with a 20% discount (for those who cannot afford the drug) is $3500/treatment
-($3500*20%) = $750 discount
-$3500+$750=$4200/treatment
$4200/600mg = $7/mg
-cost is based on manufacturer (links at bottom of this page for rough costs)

-$21,000 is roughly for 6 treatments lasting up to 4.5 months

Right now we need to get mom urgently on this treatment. She is on steriods to help reduce swelling of the tumour pushing against her frontal lobe. She lost function of her right arm, some in the right leg and some speech.

I was hoping to take my mom to an art studio to do one last painting with her before she passed but now she lost her talent.

Any contribution will help and grant her a better quality life; for us, her friends, family, loved ones, and those that are here to help.

Funding starts immediatley as the clock is ticking.

Thank you all so so much. I hope we can stand together as Canadians and change the way cancer treatment is administered and how it can be accessible in the future.

No one should die because of their income status in Canada.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me [phone redacted].

Love,
Devin 

PS Links

https://www.news-medical.net/health/Avastin-(Bevacizumab)-Price.aspx

http://www.truemedcost.com/avastin-price/