Kenzie Balian Treatment Fund
Spende geschützt
Our good friend Kenzie Nethercott Balian is suffering from a late-stage sarcoma, which metastasized from her hip to her lungs more than a year ago. After nineteen months of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, the family is now turning to treatments not covered by insurance. They have spent thousands of dollars along the way and have committed significant resources to this campaign, but they are at the end of their financial rope and need our help.
Commitment, the Soul of Love
Kenzie’s relationship with her now-husband Mikayel Balian has been an inspiring example of love and commitment. Shortly after they began dating, Kenzie was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma. Every time Mikayel had a chance to run, he stepped up and took more responsibility for Kenzie’s care and emotional support.
In January of this year, we were honored to host their wedding at our home. It was a magical day and a much-needed break from the turmoil. Much more than this, it was a positive affirmation of their intent to fight this battle together and live life to the fullest.
Rare Cancer
Sarcomas are identified in about 1% of all cancer diagnoses – about 15,000 per year in the United States – and Kenzie’s particular form is 1% rare among sarcomas. Kenzie’s team at the City of Hope and the Huntsman Cancer Institute and most recently UCLA are among the best in the oncology community, but they have had relatively little data on which to base an effective treatment regimen.
Since her initial diagnosis at the start of September 2016, Kenzie has undergone aggressive chemotherapy, radiation, complete removal of her gluteus maximus on the affected hip, and complex surgery to remove nodules in both lungs.
Each treatment has well understood limits. Radiation obviously must not be overused during an individual’s lifetime. Surgically, one of the lung masses could not be removed because of its location near a critical blood vessel. Chemotherapy, which is targeted poison, wears down all systems in the body..
Kenzie has exhausted the options on radiation and surgery. Chemotherapy is tricky: she has undergone and hit the limits on the most effective treatments. Technically, additional chemotherapies remain – but Kenzie feels that her body has taken all it can take, at least for now.
Medical Decision
Kenzie, with Mikayel and her family, has studied the options thoroughly. Because conventional medicine is reaching diminishing returns, they have made the decision for Kenzie to undergo non-toxic holistic treatments at a facility in Mexico so that she can regain her strength, continue to fight, and hopefully get healed. Insurance in the US does not cover these alternative approaches, leaving them to fund the effort themselves.
We know, and the family is well aware, that these treatments are controversial. What does one do when options dwindle and time runs short? We believe that this is not the time to debate, but instead to support their decision in any way we can.
A Team Effort
The costs include $30,400 for treatments, plus $22,500 for a three-week clinic stay including transportation, assessments, and supportive therapies. The family has budgeted an additional $5,000 to cover preparatory treatments, travel, and incidentals, for a campaign total of $57,900.
The family will supply the first $15,000 directly to avoid paying fees, stretching their resources more than thin. They need our help to raise the incremental $42,900.
About Us
We are Erika and Tom Ngo, friends of Kenzie’s family for more than twenty years. Our children have grown up together and have continued a cousin-like relationship into adulthood. We dearly love Kenzie, Mikayel, and her family.
Commitment, the Soul of Love
Kenzie’s relationship with her now-husband Mikayel Balian has been an inspiring example of love and commitment. Shortly after they began dating, Kenzie was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma. Every time Mikayel had a chance to run, he stepped up and took more responsibility for Kenzie’s care and emotional support.
In January of this year, we were honored to host their wedding at our home. It was a magical day and a much-needed break from the turmoil. Much more than this, it was a positive affirmation of their intent to fight this battle together and live life to the fullest.
Rare Cancer
Sarcomas are identified in about 1% of all cancer diagnoses – about 15,000 per year in the United States – and Kenzie’s particular form is 1% rare among sarcomas. Kenzie’s team at the City of Hope and the Huntsman Cancer Institute and most recently UCLA are among the best in the oncology community, but they have had relatively little data on which to base an effective treatment regimen.
Since her initial diagnosis at the start of September 2016, Kenzie has undergone aggressive chemotherapy, radiation, complete removal of her gluteus maximus on the affected hip, and complex surgery to remove nodules in both lungs.
Each treatment has well understood limits. Radiation obviously must not be overused during an individual’s lifetime. Surgically, one of the lung masses could not be removed because of its location near a critical blood vessel. Chemotherapy, which is targeted poison, wears down all systems in the body..
Kenzie has exhausted the options on radiation and surgery. Chemotherapy is tricky: she has undergone and hit the limits on the most effective treatments. Technically, additional chemotherapies remain – but Kenzie feels that her body has taken all it can take, at least for now.
Medical Decision
Kenzie, with Mikayel and her family, has studied the options thoroughly. Because conventional medicine is reaching diminishing returns, they have made the decision for Kenzie to undergo non-toxic holistic treatments at a facility in Mexico so that she can regain her strength, continue to fight, and hopefully get healed. Insurance in the US does not cover these alternative approaches, leaving them to fund the effort themselves.
We know, and the family is well aware, that these treatments are controversial. What does one do when options dwindle and time runs short? We believe that this is not the time to debate, but instead to support their decision in any way we can.
A Team Effort
The costs include $30,400 for treatments, plus $22,500 for a three-week clinic stay including transportation, assessments, and supportive therapies. The family has budgeted an additional $5,000 to cover preparatory treatments, travel, and incidentals, for a campaign total of $57,900.
The family will supply the first $15,000 directly to avoid paying fees, stretching their resources more than thin. They need our help to raise the incremental $42,900.
About Us
We are Erika and Tom Ngo, friends of Kenzie’s family for more than twenty years. Our children have grown up together and have continued a cousin-like relationship into adulthood. We dearly love Kenzie, Mikayel, and her family.
Organisator und Spendenbegünstigter
Erika Matkin Ngo
Organisator
Pasadena, CA
Kenzie Balian
Spendenbegünstigte
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