Help Esther Fight Ovarian Cancer

My name is John Cook. My wife, Becky, and I have been living and serving in China. We have had the privilege of getting to know Huang Qiong, her English name is Esther. Esther has become a dear friend and we desperately need your help in raising funds for her battle with Ovarian cancer. Despite her diagnosis, she has served selflessly in the church and community. She had surgery to remove her ovaries and has had 3 rounds of Chemo each lasting 6 weeks over the past 4 years.

Much of the medicine to help her is very expensive and she is continually in pain. The cost of her medicine is $800 a month after insurance. We are looking to raise $25,000 to help Esther afford the targeted treatment medicine she needs to continue fighting cancer for the next 2 years.

The Need

1 box of medicine (lasts 1/2 month) = $400

2 boxes (lasts 1 month) = $800

Goal: $25,000 = 2 years of medicine

Please read on to learn more about Esther…

Esther was diagnosed in May 2017 with ovarian cancer. Despite the pain, she prioritizes serving God in small groups, youth events, and helping others with their own health crises. She has devoted her life to Christ and serving others.

When she found out about her diagnosis, she immediately struggled. Life with cancer in China is challenging. The laws are different and often do not protect those who have long-term illnesses. Cancer patients are unable to find employment. Many people refuse to interact with cancer patients for fear that misfortune will befall their lives and families. Her position at her kindergarten was terminated and she was evicted from the faculty dormitory. Afterward, she managed to scrape up enough money to rent a small one-room apartment but as soon as the owner found out she had cancer she was once again evicted.

By March 2019, with nowhere to go and facing life in the streets, we, along with many of our church family in China, found ways to help her. We paid her to be my Chinese tutor. She volunteered with many ministries, hosted small groups, and helped us to engage with the youth. She also served on the church planning committees.

We asked her to move in with us so that she would be able to concentrate on getting better. Her cancer has relapsed several times and each time is deadlier than the last. Even with all the support, love, and prayer this has been a hard fight. In 2019 she was told a targeted treatment is her best shot at managing the cancer. However, the cost of the medicine would be $800 a month after health insurance. 

 

That amount seemed insurmountable. Her church family rallied around her and we were able to raise a little over $24K to cover the cost of her medicine. However, after 4 years the funds have run out and March will be the last dosage that she will be able to afford. With the start of COVID and the policies put in place to stop the spread, the doors of the church closed and the community scattered and we are unable to meet all of Esther’s needs.

 

Becky and I are back in the United States but will be returning to China. Esther is an integral part of the ministry there and without her medicine, she cannot continue to serve or to even care for herself. As it is, she has taken to skipping doses or cutting down the dosage to try and make her medicine last. Any help that you would be able to provide would go directly to paying for Esther’s medicine and helping her to continue in the ministry.