Help Vilian’s Family Fight Cancer

Disclaimer: This fundraising initiative is being organized by Daniela Toro and all proceeds go directly to Vilian Mollov and will be used to pay for medical expenses.

My name is Vilian and this is the story of my father`s disease called – Skin cancer (Nodular Melanoma – Clark 4).

Everything started during the late summer of 2012, with a scratched mole on my father`s stomach. Upon a consultation with dermatologist, urgent surgery was planned for the same day. The surgery went well, however the biopsy results were an absolute shock for the whole family, it was cancer.

The expectations back then were not very positive about his prognosis, despite there being no metastases anywhere in his body. And so, by early 2013, when ultrasound showed 2 areas of metastases, one in the inguinal area and another on the axial, a double surgery was performed. After recovery he received a treatment of Interferon injections, and all the tests performed in 2013 and 2014 came back clear.

Regular tests were performed every 6 months including blood tests, ultrasound exams, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) and PET/CT scans in order to monitor any possible recurrences. We always hoped and prayed that all his tests would keep coming back with good news.

In October of this year, our worst fears were realized when my father felt something on his right leg. The initial blood test showed that several indicators were either above or below threshold. An ultrasound exam and PET/CT were performed on the October 27th, which confirmed a malignant tumor on his right leg, 32.00/24.00 mm in size. Thankfully the surrounding bone structure seems to be clear.

Urgent consultations with specialist confirmed that due to the nature of the Skin cancer, amputation of the leg was the only option. As such, we started exploring second and third opinions. We`ve consulted with leading hospitals in Italy, Germany and Turkey.

We received great news from the Acibadem hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, they would be able to perform surgery that would spare his bones and nerves, ultimately meaning that he would be able to keep his leg. This lifesaving surgery is set to be performed on either December 7th or 9th by a leading doctor in his field Dr. Harzem Ozger.

Currently, my parents are in Istanbul, awaiting further pre-operative tests. Our prayers are that there won't be any metastasis and the surgery will be able to take place as soon as possible.

Due to the urgency, my brother and I had to apply for consumer loans to cover the surgery expenses of 50 000 euro. MRI, travel and other expenses for the time being are manageable, but we worry about the follow-up treatment expenses required as further treatment may be necessary including a combination of Keytruda and Optivo, or Ipilimumab & Nivoluman. Again, our hopes are that the brain will be clean of cancer and will not need Cyberknife or other expensive treatment.

Wish him luck and thank you for your support, no matter how big or small it is. It absolutely matters!

My family is thankful from the bottom of our hearts!

Warm regards,

Vilian Mollov