Help Laila Fight Breast Cancer

At just 30 years old, my beloved wife Laila Yasser was diagnosed with left breast cancer in October 2024. What began as a concerning lump quickly turned into a life-altering diagnosis that has changed everything for our young family of five—Laila, myself, and our three beautiful children.

This devastating diagnosis came at an already unimaginable time for us. We were forced to flee our home in Gaza during the ongoing war that continues to this day. We left behind everything—our home, our community, our livelihoods—and sought refuge in Egypt, where we currently reside as displaced people with no source of income. The war has taken our security, and cancer now threatens to take my wife's health.

After noticing changes in her left breast, Laila underwent ultrasound scanning which revealed suspicious lesions. Following her doctor's recommendations, she had a biopsy performed. The results confirmed our worst fears - Laila was diagnosed with Grade II Infiltrating Duct Carcinoma, a form of invasive breast cancer.

Further testing revealed that her cancer is hormone receptor-positive (both estrogen and progesterone receptors scored 8/8) and HER2-positive (score 3+), which means it's an aggressive form that requires immediate and comprehensive treatment. The pathology report also showed that the tumor has a proliferation index of 12%, indicating active cancer growth.

The Treatment Plan

Laila's oncologist, Dr. Ahmed A. Hady from Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, has developed a treatment plan based on the latest medical guidelines for HER2-positive breast cancer. Following her tru-cut biopsy, Laila requires:

Perjeta (pertuzumab) injections: 420mg every three weeks, with a total of 13 treatments needed. Each injection costs $900, totaling $11,700.

Radiation therapy: A complete course of radiation treatment estimated at $4,000.

Additional medications and care: Ongoing supportive medications to manage side effects of treatment.

Her treatment began in mid-November 2024, and she has recently completed her first cycle of chemotherapy. While the treatment offers hope, it also brings significant physical challenges and an overwhelming financial burden of approximately $15,700 for the essential treatments alone.

The Financial Challenge

The financial burden of cancer treatment has been overwhelming for our family, especially as refugees with no source of income. Having fled the war in Gaza, we arrived in Egypt with very limited resources. Now, we face mounting medical expenses with no financial safety net, no health insurance, and no steady income to support our three young children while paying for Laila's treatment.

The costs continue to grow and include:

Specialized diagnostic tests (immunohistochemistry, pathology reports, ultrasounds)

Multiple doctor consultations

Expensive medications including Perjeta, which is critical for treating her type of cancer

Radiation therapy sessions

Supportive medications to manage side effects

Transportation to and from medical facilities

Potential surgical costs in the coming months

Basic living expenses for our family of five in a foreign country

Just the initial diagnostic workup alone cost over 6,000 Egyptian pounds, and each treatment cycle brings additional expenses. The specialized Perjeta injections at $900 every three weeks are particularly prohibitive, but absolutely essential for Laila's treatment success and survival.

How Your Support Will Help

Your generous contribution will directly help us cover:

The 13 Perjeta injections ($11,700 total)

The complete radiation therapy course ($4,000)

Supportive medications to help manage the difficult side effects

Essential living expenses for our family of five, including shelter, food, and clothing

Educational needs for our three children as we try to maintain some stability in their disrupted lives

Every donation, regardless of size, brings us one step closer to Laila's recovery and helps ease the financial pressure during this extremely challenging time.

Our Hope

Despite this difficult diagnosis and our displacement from Gaza, we remain hopeful. Laila's cardiac evaluation shows her heart is strong and healthy, which is important as she undergoes intensive treatment. Her other organ systems appear healthy as well, giving her the physical strength to fight this disease.

Our children have already endured the trauma of war and displacement. Now they watch their mother battle cancer in a foreign country. Yet through it all, they show remarkable resilience that inspires us daily. For their sake, we must do everything possible to help their mother heal.

At just 30 years old, Laila has so much life ahead of her. She deserves the chance to see our children grow up, to someday return to a peaceful homeland, and to rebuild our lives together. With your support and the excellent medical care she's receiving, we believe she can overcome this challenge and our family can find stability again.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any support you can provide. Your generosity means the world to us and gives us strength during this difficult journey.

With deepest gratitude,

Shaheen