Donate to Emily's Life-Saving Cancer Treatment and Childcare

I'm a 32-year-old mother of three beautiful children, aged 8, 6, and 2. I've recently been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, amidst the process of navigating a divorce. I relocated to the US from Poland in 2013, without family or any support system. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for the last 8 years and currently have no income or way to take out any loans. Throughout my life, I have weathered many hardships, including the loss of my mother to cancer when I was only 6 years old. In 2017 I also lost my little sister and only sibling to cancer, she was only 22.

I can’t leave my children here alone. They’re too young to lose their mom like I did. I'm the only person they can rely on as a caregiver. I'll do anything to make sure I'm there for them, no matter what. My pride and resilience makes this almost impossible for me to write... I'm asking for more than I could ever expect.

Sincerely with the deepest humility, I’m begging for help.

(Covering my children's faces to protect their privacy.)

I need to pay for more than my treatment. I'm trying to raise money to save myself for my children. My goal is $70,000, my need is $140,000.

I have Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, a mutation in the TP53 gene, which would typically suppress cancer cell growth. In my case, this gene is inactive, and allowed the development of cancer in my body.

My mother, her father, both of her brothers, and my little sister all died from cancer. In 2016, I was diagnosed with this mutation and found a cancerous polyp in my colon, leading to part of it being removed. I was also diagnosed with a stable brain tumor that isn’t causing issues. Additionally, in 2016, I underwent a preventive double mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction.

I underwent blood tests every three months and a full-body MRI annually to ensure everything was in good condition. My scans consistently came back clear. I made an effort to take care of both my body and mind to the best of my ability.

On Friday, December 6th, 2024, I sought urgent care due to some unusual abdominal pain and bloating, symptoms I don't usually experience. After experiencing discomfort for a week, I felt it was necessary to have it examined. I was subsequently referred to the ER, where a CT scan uncovered a mass on my ovary. My oncologist requested an immediate appointment, which took place the following Monday. Unfortunately, the prognosis indicated cancer. My last whole-body MRI in September of this year revealed no problems, so this mass must have developed in the interim, growing to a size of 4.5 cm and being a stage 3. Additionally, over 1.5 liters of fluid is drained from my abdomen every two weeks, a result of the underlying condition. Just the fluid drainage costs $3,000 every two weeks. I can't afford it and I'm going more and more into debt.

I need at least $70,000 for a thorough and intensive treatment program at a clinic in Mexico that one of my doctors recommended to me. This amount will encompass the treatment, necessary tests, meals, accommodation, supplements, and other essential items to take home from the clinic, along with follow-up appointments. Furthermore, it will help cover my existing medical bills from the ER and other visits and tests, which have already accumulated to over $12,000 (and I'm still waiting for the bill from my ER visit), travel expenses to and from the clinic, childcare costs during my time away, and a few of the treatments I can do locally after I'm back.

Due to my genetic mutation and my body's difficulty in renewing its cells, I should avoid certain common tests and treatments like CT scans and radiotherapy, as they expose me to high levels of radiation that destroy many cells and potentially lead to cancer. Additionally, some sources indicate that chemotherapy may be less effective for individuals with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome too. That's why my doctors talk to me about different options like combining some of the Western medicine methods together with other ones, which brought the idea of going to Mexico. Their holistic approach not only targets cancer itself but also encompasses mental support, dietary changes, and more, all of which are essential for ensuring the body is strong and capable of healing. They'll help my whole body heal.