Fahmeen's Living Memorial

*UPDATE*: We are devastated to announce the passing of our mother. These funds will now go towards her hospital bills, medical expenses, burial, funeral, legal fees, moving costs, and a living memorial of some kind. Thank you for giving us the resources to cover these costs and to honor our mother's memory with dignity.

We will be planning a service in the fall. I’ve created a short survey below to help generate content that might be used during the program. Please take a few minutes to fill it out and feel free to send messages, videos, photos, or any other footage honoring her to [email redacted]. May she rest in peace. 

Link to survey: https://forms.gle/4uwuN7Ew7FGuvzkd9 

Summary

This is a fight for the life of our single mom, Fahmeen Faruki. Our names are Yasmin and Anya Faruki. We are respectively 27 and 21 years old. We don’t have another parent and are asking for your help because we are not ready to lose the most important person in our life.

Our lives changed forever three weeks ago when our mom was unexpectedly diagnosed with an advanced cancer known as metastatic adenocarcinoma. The diagnosis took us completely by surprise. Three months ago, she was walking five miles a day, eating a pescetarian diet, going on her own day trips. She started reporting shortness of breath and fatigue in late March, but doctors were unable to diagnose these symptoms as cancer until early June. The primary site of the cancer’s origin is unknown, but likely from the reproductive region. The cancer is widespread in her body, including both lungs, which makes it difficult for her to breathe and carry out normal functions.

Our mom is ready to put up the fight of her life to be there for her kids and community. Anya turns 22 in August and graduates from college next year. Our mom turns 60 this October. Please help give her a fighting chance.

How You Can Help

Cancer is an expensive illness. Unfortunately, we’ve already found that her insurance company does not cover all of her cancer-related costs, and they take too long to process claims for time-sensitive diagnostics and treatments. Yasmin, the incumbent head of household, may also have to take leave from work to care for our mom full-time, losing another crucial source of income.

Treatment cannot wait for this type of cancer. Anything you can spare would be saving the life of a mom and educator who has contributed so much to those around her. Here are some examples of what your donations would go towards over the next six months. We are still mapping out her treatment options, so note these are subject to change.

• Initial diagnostic tests (~$12,000)
• Monthly chemotherapy (~$10,000 to $12,000) x 6 sessions
• Monthly immunotherapy (~$10,000 to $12,500) x 6 sessions
• Relocation to a top cancer institute, including monthly travel and housing ($3,500)
• Hire of a caretaker to relieve Yasmin and Anya of burnout and support mom with 24/7 care (TBD)
• Integrative care, including but not limited to physical therapy, wheelchair rentals, oxygen deliveries, acupuncturists, and drug prescriptions (TBD)

Other Ways to Help

1. Send messages of support and videos to Anya or Yasmin. She loves foreign languages and music. Any message would really help lift her spirits!

2. Facilitate an introduction to someone who can help. Unfortunately, our mom’s oncologist does not have case managers to support families with integrative care, so Yasmin and Anya have been doing most of the legwork.

• Medical: Anyone connected to trials related to cancers of mullerian origin.
• Integrative Care: Acupuncturists, physical therapists, homeopathic specialists.
• Financial Support: Financial advisors and/or insurance lawyers.

3. Donate towards daily lifestyle and potential relocation support. Certificates for food delivery (UberEats, DoorDash), temporary stays (AirBnB), and lifestyle supplies (Amazon) are highly practical and beneficial.

About Fahmeen

A lifelong warrior, she lived through war in Bangladesh in 1971, moved to Italy with her family at age 10, and then moved to the United States to pursue a graduate degree in education. She courageously left an abusive marriage in the midst of the 2007 recession and became a counselor at Northern Virginia Community College. For over ten years, she was a host mother to foreign exchange students, helping young people around the world study English and assimilate to America. She has done everything possible to ensure her kids have always had access to the best opportunities in life, no matter the adversity.