Carine's story

Hello, my name is Rachel Brereton (Heffernan). I have set up this page on behalf of my sister-in-law Carine. Carine has an ongoing battle with osteosarcoma which is a cancer of the bone. I would greatly appreciate it if you could read her story and if you could make a donation big or small to help support her fight against this terrible cancer.

“Hi my name is Carine and this is my story:

At the age of 30 I got this devastating news I had osteosarcoma which is cancer of the bone in my right ankle. Like anyone heading into their 30’s I had my whole life ahead of me and instead I ended up having my leg amputated below the knee to save my life.

I met my husband Stefan thereafter, who is the love of my life and even more amazingly I fell pregnant even though I was told I would never get pregnant due to the extensive treatment of chemo I received, but we defied the odds and James was born.

At the age of 38 our family was hit with the news that the cancer had returned and it required another amputation further up my leg. Nothing was going to take me from my family or this world. So it was an easy decision and I had my second amputation at the start of COVID. In the last two years I have trained myself how to walk again, raise our beautiful little boy with my husband and battle the day-to-day obstacles that life throws our way.

This now leads me to today. Last month I was told my cancer had returned but surgery was not an option as it is in my pelvis and spine. The doctors are currently treating me with radiotherapy. In the coming weeks I will start chemo. Unfortunately, with this type of cancer that I have it won’t be enough. However, after extensive research, we and the doctors believe cell immunotherapy is an option I can try to help save my life. I want to live, grow old with my husband who I adore and most importantly watch my little boy grow up to become a wonderful man that I know he will one day be. But of course, this treatment comes with a price tag. Therefore, I am reaching out to you all to please kindly donate what ever you can afford. Thank you from us all. Carine”.

Cell immunotherapy can help eliminate or reduce symptoms or even provide a full recovery. The type of treatment they use is called dendritic cells. 250mls of blood is drawn from Carine and sent to a lab in Lithuania. Where her cells are treated and purified and then infused back into her body. This course of treatment most probably will require up to 10 sessions. Thus this treatment is expected to cost up to 30k. Again, thank you all for reading Carine’s story and I would be eternally grateful for any donations. Rachel.