Help Irina Dance Again

Our zumba community is pulling together to support our beloved Zumba instructor and dear friend, Irina Buchan, in their courageous battle against cancer.

Irina has brought so much energy and joy to our community through her classes. She has helped us stay fit and created a space where we can connect and have fun. Now, it's our turn to support her during this tough time.

Unfortunately, after a complicated surgery last year in November and chemo began in Jan-24, Irina’s first line of chemo didn’t work. She’s now going through 2nd line of treatment with harsher side effects. The purpose of the funds raised are to support Irina being able to access any suitable treatments that are not available through NHS, should there be any treatments or trials available privately.

We will dance and come together, on Saturday, 29th June 2pm in Norwich at St. Francis of Assisi NR2 3QB.

Let’s remember the strength and positivity Irina has always shown us. Let's use this event to show our gratitude and help her in their fight.

Learn more about her journey below:

“My name is Irina Buchan

A little bit about me: I am 36 years old mum of a gorgeous 2 year old daughter, wife of an amazing husband. I am also a Zumba instructor, freelance professional translator and trainer, project manager for a corporate company handling retirement and pension contributions and Chair of the trustee board for a local charity organisation in Norwich.

My journey: In October 2023, I went to hospital with acute abdominal pain. I had an emergency laparoscopy surgery and was sent home after 3 days. After the operation I had a lung infection for a month, followed by a diagnosed pulmonary embolism (cloth in my lung).

On 3rd of November 2023 I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The "kick in the teeth" is that this happened as we were celebrating my daughters' 2nd birthday. This all came as such a shock, as all of the information received to date, said this should not be hapenning to a person my age. And yet...

The week after I was in hospital with acute lower abdominal pain again, even worse than the last time. The cancer had spread to my ovaries, causing me the pain.

On 15th of November, I was told it's stage 4 cancer, as it spread and produced metastatic tumours in orher parts of my body. On 24th of November I had planned surgery, where unfortunately the doctors weren't able to do all that was planned, as once they went in, it was far gone more than expected from the scans. They still took out my ovaries, filopian tubes, the colon tumour and installed a stoma.

After a total stay in hospital of 6 weeks, I was sent home to recover, and referred to onchology for ongoing chemotherapy.

After an anxious wait for the Onchology apointment after Christmas, on 9th of January 2024, my world fell down again, when, after reviewing my case, the oncologist said I'm in palliative care, as it's incurable as it's too far gone and any further surgery is unlikely. My prognosis was 3 to 12 months. I was placed at end of January on first line chemotherapy.

After 3 months, on the 11th of April, my world blackened again. 1st line chemotherapy, didn't work. Am now on 2nd line chemo, with more aggressive side effects and prognosis worse unfortunately.

My hope: While I'm preparing myself and my family for the worst, I am striving to keep hope for the best! All this time, I haven't stoped looking for trials or medication, that could help prolong my life! If 2nd line chemo doesn't work (all though I am keeping everything crossed it does!), I'm looking and researching all over for potential solutions. And this is where support needed comes in. A lot of these trials, or Medications, would require cost - additional cost. So any help towards it, will help put my mind and my family's mind at ease. My daughter needs to know that mami never stopped fighting, and left no stone unturned!

If you made it this far, thank you for reading my story!

Love,

Irina.”

Thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we can make a difference.

Let's get moving for a cause!