Jed Galura's Cancer Fundraiser

UPDATE as of August 2023: Hi, my name is Lisa Katzen and I'm raising funds for Jed Galura, one of my cherished team members located in the Philippines. Last year, Jed was diagnosed with cancer for the third time in her life, which as I'm sure you can imagine is a harrowing experience once, let alone thrice.

Last December, I created this GoFundMe on Jed's behalf as the US is a supported country on the platform, while the Philippines is not. Our US-based company has been gracious enough to provide our Philippines colleagues with one of the best insurance options available in the country, but insurance coverage overall is quite limited in the Philippines and the price of treatment is a very steep cost in their currency. Since then, she was able to find a local business to sponsor her treatment; however, the company has run into some difficulties, so they have been forced to discontinue the financial support they were offering. For that reason, I’ve updated this GoFundMe to reach an additional $2,000 USD to cover what we hope will be her last treatment necessary.

Originally, Jed was asked to undergo another 6 cycles of chemotherapy, which this GoFundMe fundraiser helped to facilitate the last 2 of; but, due to the hormonal cancer type she has, her doctor ended up determining that 12 cycles over the course of 12 months would be best to overcome the aggressive nature of it. In September 2022, her breast cancer tumor markers were in 287 (less than 30 is ideal) while now she is at 41. She had one liver spot left at the time, while now they’re all gone. She’s no longer in pain or experiencing discomfort. The treatment has certainly been working, and she’s optimistic that after this 12th chemo cycle and PET scan, she will be cleared for any additional chemo treatment. She will be undergoing maintenance injections every 6 months following her clearance, but that will be manageable to afford.

As before, each treatment costs around 105,000 Philippine Pesos, which is an incredibly high price in their currency. Though the treatments are very expensive in the Philippines, in USD the additional fundraising necessary of $2,000 USD would cover her last treatment and transaction fees. As I did before, I’ll be receiving the donations from this fundraiser in my bank account and from there will transfer all funds raised directly to Jed’s bank account through Western Union on a regular basis.

Anything that you can provide towards Jed’s (hopefully final) chemo treatment will be incredibly appreciated. If you aren't able to donate personally, we completely understand, but would be so grateful if you could share this page with anyone who might be willing and able to donate themselves. With your support, Jed will be finally finished with this part of her journey, and can start taking further steps towards remission and recovery.

We wholeheartedly appreciate any and all aid you can offer, it would mean the world to Jed and all of us that immensely care about her.

Thank you all so much for your support, in whatever way you’re able to offer it.

Lisa Katzen

Original Post from December 2022: Hi, my name is Lisa Katzen and I'm raising funds for Jed Galura, one of my cherished team members located in the Philippines. Jed was recently diagnosed with cancer for the third time in her life, which as I'm sure you can imagine is a harrowing experience once, let alone thrice.

I've created a GoFundMe on Jed's behalf as the US is a supported country on the platform, while the Philippines is not. Our US-based company has been gracious enough to provide our Philippines colleagues with one of the best insurance options available in the country, but insurance coverage overall is quite limited in the Philippines and the price of treatment is a very steep cost in their currency. She's exhausted all possible resources throughout her cancer journey and needs any help she can get to fund the rest of her treatment, hoping to finally reach recovery.

In October 2018, Jed was diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 3) and had a single breast mastectomy that month. Following her diagnosis, she underwent 6 sessions of chemotherapy (November 2018-February 2019) and 31 days of radiation therapy (May 2019).

She was so grateful to have her treatment completed, but shortly after, she felt unusual back pain which urged her doctor to check further and direct a bone scan. At first, her doctor suggested having the scan 3 months after the radiation therapy, but she insisted to have it sooner as she knew something was wrong. In June 2019, the bone scan results came in: the cancer had spread (metastasized) to 4, then 9 spots in her bones. Due to her new diagnosis, she had to complete another round of radiation therapy for 20 days and 6 sessions of chemotherapy.

Finally, expecting that she was in the clear, she continued to take oral chemo meds and monthly injections to keep the cancer at bay. The initial radiation and chemotherapy, as well as the following treatment, seemed to be working as her bones had stabilized since.

Unfortunately, this year they found 2 spots on Jed's liver, a new place where the cancer has spread to. She was asked to undergo a biopsy and another 6 cycles of chemotherapy, with 2 additional sessions following if necessary. After completing her 4th cycle this December, it seems that the breast tumor markers have gone down, and the spots found in the liver have also decreased to just one. Her doctor has said that the chemo drug is working and they are hoping to completely remove those found in her liver, as well as her whole body.

As mentioned, insurance coverage is very limited and only one of Jed's 4 sessions' costs was able to be covered by her policy. She's miraculously been able to gather the funds for her first 3 sessions in addition to the one that was covered, but essentially has run out of options for her last 2. Each treatment costs 104,920.18 Philippine Pesos (an incredibly high price in their currency) and the remaining two cost 209,840.36. Though the treatments are very expensive in the Philippines, in USD the fundraising goal is much more attainable and $4,000 total will cover both her treatments and transaction fees. I will be receiving the donations from this fundraiser in my bank account and from there will transfer all funds raised directly to Jed's bank account through Western Union on a regular basis.

We know that Christmas is in just a few days, and it can be quite an expensive time of year, but anything that you can provide will be a huge help to Jed. If you aren't able to donate personally, we completely understand, but would be so grateful if you could share the page with anyone who might be willing and able to donate themselves. With your support, we believe Jed will be able to experience another Christmas with her family again next year.

We wholeheartedly appreciate any and all aid you can offer, it would mean the world to Jed and all of us that immensely care about her.

Thank you so much and Happy Holidays to you all,

Lisa Katzen