Medical Funding for Sarah’s Radiation Therapy

Hi there!

My name is Sarah. I'm 33 years old and I was diagnosed with Desmoid-type Fibromatosis.

What is Desmoid-type Fibromatosis?

Desmoid-type Fibromatosis (DF) is sometimes called Desmoid Tumour or aggressive fibromatosis. It is a rare type of benign (non-cancerous) tumour. People with DF may have more than one tumour located in the same area of the body. DF develops from fibroblasts. These are a type of cell that provide cell support for the body’s tissues. DF can occur anywhere in the body but it is mostly found in the arms, legs and abdomen (tummy). DF can affect anyone but it mostly affects young adults, especially women, between 30 and 40 years old.

It is difficult to predict how DF will develop. Sometimes they can be slow growing and they have also been known to get smaller without any treatment.

How it all started

December 2019 when I got a cough for 1 week. I went for a checkup then the doctor gave me anti-biotics and told me to come back if my cough didn't go away. After a week, my cough was gone but I felt something in my left neck. I thought it was some "kulani" or lymph node due to my cough. So I returned to my doctor but since it was a little much bigger than the usual, I had a neck ultrasound and after seeing the result, referred me to a General Surgeon.

I told my friends who are in the medical field to have some different ideas and since it was in neck, they told me to visit an ENT Doctor.

Good thing I have Maxicare Prima Silver which ENT checkup is unlimited to all Primary Care Centers. I had some series of test and medication taken before referring me to a General Surgeon for Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB).

The result was benign but the lymph node is becoming bigger and bigger as time goes by. I got my Maxicare Health Plan by March 2020, a day before we had a hard lockdown. So I didn't have the chance to visit a doctor at these times. It was July 2020 when we had GCQ where I am able to visit my doctor again and this time the lymph node is bigger. So he referred me to an Otolaryngologists (Neck Surgeon).

I had my 1st operation last July 2020 but since I got the neck mass before I got my health card, it was not covered. Fast forward, it became bigger again. It was May 2021 when I need to undergo another operation. Again, it was not covered by my health card. This time, the reason was because it is a benign tumor but it is an aggressive one which is somehow considered as a dreaded disease.

So I need to have advance salary loans and other loans to pay off all my hospital bills and medications.

It's been 2 months since I recovered from it. I had several sessions for Physical Therapy to recover the strength of my left shoulders. And now, I need to undergo a Radiation Therapy to prevent it from recurring.

But before I need to undergo a RadioTherapy, I need to undergo a Dental Surgery since the radiation is in head & neck and near my teeth.

Radiation Therapy will run for 30 days, 5 days a week and costing 7k a day. Thanks to Philhealth since it will cost me around 4k a day instead. But the planning and professional fees are not yet included.

Overall, I need 250k-300k including all the pre-requisite laboratories, procedures and transportation to proceed.

Donation

I am humbly looking for generous hearts to donate for my medical expenses so I can continue to proceed to all my tests and procedures.

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” - Barbara De Angelis

“There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.” - Mandy Hale

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” - Steve Maraboli

For those who want to help, it’s best to send directly to any of Sarah’s bank accounts below:

Account Name: Sarah Bernardina Borja

BPI Savings - 0483 2050 58 (PH)

UNIONBANK Savings - 1094 2431 8790 (PH)

GCASH/PAYMAYA - 0928 685 8076

For those who are currently not in the PH, you may donate through this page by clicking “donate” button.

From the deepest depths of my being, thank you for your thoughtful donation. I respect and admire your decision to donate so selflessly.

Thank you and God Bless.