Help Vesna Beat Cancer

My name is Vesna. I am from Prilep, North Macedonia. I have been diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. I have two children, a 20-year old daughter and 13-year old son. Thank you for reading my story and please share if you can.

Over nearly two years, hearing my family say “mom, hold on” is what keeps me alive and fighting. I am blessed and happy that I am spending my life with my children, husband, and family.

I have dedicated my entire life to science... I am hoping that science will now save me.

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In early 2021, I was diagnosed with a non-small lung Adenocarcinoma cancer (EGFR/TKI inhibition) that had spread to my lymph nodes, bones, liver and pancreas. Due to a metastasis to the liver, my bile ducts were blocked. I had to undergo urgent biliary bypass surgery.

This was a complete shock for my entire family. No one expects this to happen. When it does, you are forced to fight. Today, I fight for my children, my husband, and my family.

My oncologist took me under her wing. She gave me hope for life, and helped me enjoy these months with my family. She told me, “this is not a mathematical equation – we will fight this”.

After 4 cycles of chemotherapy and use of Erlotinib for a whole year (this medication is used in cases of advanced and non-small lung Adenocarcinoma cancer (NSCLC, EGFR/TKI inhibition)), the cancer was in regression. We were more hopeful than ever. Praying that things will remain this way.

Unfortunately, as things sometimes take a turn for the worse in life, a PET scan in July of 2022 revealed new metastasis on my liver. The cancer was progressing. I underwent liver ablation in September of 2022.

Today, my situation has worsened and my health condition has become critical. Seeing my family’s smiles and positive encouragement is what keeps me going.

My radiotherapist-oncologist decided to prescribe me Tagrisso (80mg). This medication is produced by AstraZeneca. It is approved for a wide variety of usage, after delivering promising results in successfully treating cancer. When I was told that there was a medication that can possibly save me and allow me to be with my family and my children for much longer than I thought - I did not think twice about it.

So, why am I writing this today?

I live in North Macedonia, where the average salary is 400-500 EUR per month and, unfortunately, the country does not cover the medication through the Health Insurance Fund. This medication costs over 3000 EUR per month - excluding all other therapies, medications, surgeries that must be paid for too. My family and I will need to pay for this on our own... So we are asking for your help.

We hope to raise as much as possible to help with various scans, tests, therapists - but most importantly, the medication. With your aid in this fundraiser, I hope to be able to have the treatment and medication I desperately need. I want to have a chance to live, to see my children grow, graduate school, and be there for them as long as I can.

My children, my husband, and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read this story. Please share with friends and family, if you can, so I can have a fighting chance to live.

God bless.