HELP TINA WIN A RARE FIGHT

Tina is a single mom who raised 2 sons through determination and hard work. Her caring nature has made her a “mom” to many others through her work in Events and in Rotary International. Her love for the community and the less fortunate has helped improve many lives.

In August of 2020 during a routine annual check-up, a pelvic mass was detected which was later confirmed to be a rare type of cancer – Leiomyosarcoma. The odds were intimidating, but not for someone like Tina. She agreed to the surgical removal of the tumor, which was successful.

Leiomyosarcoma is an aggressive type of cancer and to date, surgery plus surveillance scans and diligent monitoring are the main ways to keep it “under control”. Because it is rare, other treatment modalities are still being tried and have shown promising hope for a better prognosis for those who have this cancer.

It is this hope that drove Tina to quickly jump back to her routine merely a month after her surgery. Five months later, in her follow up scan, another tumor appeared at the same site. Again, Tina refused to be defeated by this set back and had another surgery.

This time, recovery was much more difficult, because of some postoperative complications. But Tina pushed on, with unwavering hope that she will get through this hurdle again. She was back on her feet within 2 months and was again balancing schedules between events and community service. With a certain type of targeted therapy together with the regular surveillance scans, Tina hoped that a recurrence would not occur in the near future.

In January of this year, a tumor was again detected on her scans. This time, it was compressing part of her intestines and her ureter. Only 10 months after her last surgery and even with regular scans, Leiomyosarcoma managed to find its way into her system again. Sadly, during her 3^rd surgery, the surgeons found out that the main tumor cannot be resected without affecting her main organs.

Even with a less than bright surgical outcome, Tina would not give up hoping. With research and continuous reaching out to groups and societies that deal with this type of cancer, we were able to find other avenues that may keep this cancer at bay. Tina went through genetic and genome testing and consultations with specialists abroad has brought about new hope for a treatment alternative. Another doctor who is an expert in complex surgeries among patients like Tina was referred to us. As of this writing, June 9, 2022, Tina is admitted once again at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Global City for another surgery, either to remove the tumor (if possible) or to de-bulk it to make chemotherapy more successful.

The medical costs for Tina’s treatment have already reached 6 million pesos since the cancer’s detection in 2020. Now, after just 7 days of being admitted, her bill is nearing the 1 million mark.

I have been with Tina since day 1. She is more than a friend to me. She is a mother, a sister, a boss. She dreamt my dreams and made sure I was on my way to achieving them. In the same way, I share her HOPE that a treatment modality will help people like her fight this dreadful disease. I have been witness to how her family has been affected by her condition. And like the many others close to her who have known how she would be the first to help in any small way she can, I would want to do the same for her.

I've been holding back from doing this for a while since Tina has always said that she doesn't want to be a burden to other people.

But I know that by doing this fundraising campaign for her, I would be her feet now that she is weak to stand. I would be her arms that would hold her family tight. I would take her determination, resilience and will to survive as the nudge to keep looking and fighting for a cure for this disease.

In facing this challenge, I also hope that I would find people like you who would stand alongside Tina and her family. Your financial assistance would be tremendously appreciated as well as your prayers, physical and emotional support as we fight this RARE battle.

In everything, we know that God sees all, knows all and is in all. May He bless you and your families more than you can imagine.

Thank you so much in advance for your kindness.

"My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19