Help Tery's Brain Cancer Battle

Dear Friends and Community,

This fund is on behalf of my mom, Tery Kafanov, a kind and beautiful artist who was recently diagnosed with a very aggressive and rare form of brain cancer called glioblastoma (GBM).

On May 26, she underwent a complicated surgery at Lennox Hill Hospital to remove some of the tumor. Without this procedure, doctors said she would not have survived more than a few more weeks. Tragically, Tery suffered a stroke during surgery that severely impacted her speech, cognitive abilities, and mobility of her right side. While GBM is a devastating and rapidly progressing form of brain tumor with no cure, regaining some of these functions is critical in order for my mom to undergo treatment and qualify for clinical trials that could save her life. Unfortunately, this will require costly and intensive rehabilitation therapy.

Tery is currently at NYU Langone's Rusk acute in-patient rehabilitation unit, but her insurance does not cover all of the hospital expenses, inpatient rehabilitation costs, and future outpatient rehabilitation services. The next few weeks are critical: she must make enough of a recovery from the stroke in order to face the difficult battle with this deadly brain cancer.

My mom is a magical human being and I want to help give her a chance to experience more joyful moments on this planet. She is a talented fashion and textile designer who always dressed sharply and dedicated her life to the arts and her family. She and my dad, the artist Vasily Kafanov, met at an art academy in Moscow when she was 18 years old and the two have been inseparable ever since. When I was seven, she and Dad made the decision to risk everything to flee the oppression in the USSR -- immigrating to New York City, where they could express themselves freely and create a bohemian life full of joy and beautiful art. Mom is a passionate creative soul who has a zest for life and is not ready to give up on living.

This GoFundMe campaign was started to provide a way for family, friends, and community to help Tery have the best care and quality of life possible during this difficult time. Beyond her immediate medical bills in the battle with cancer, we are facing enormous costs related to legal bills, speech therapy, physical therapy, home modifications, alternative therapies, and more. We don't know how much time we have with Tery, so we are asking for your help.

Your gift will go to Tery’s immediate and long-term recovery costs while she fights to beat the odds with glioblastoma. We are deeply grateful for your help. Every dollar makes a difference. Please help us fight this battle together!

With Love and Gratitude,

Lucy, Vasily & Tery

Click here to follow our journey and updates on mom's condition and needs.