Money needed for brave mother to buy yearly medication!

Every mother wants to see her children grow up and to share in every milestone along the way. Creating memories, building character and teaching values. Instilling an unconditional love which later carries on to her grandchildren.

The team at Crodiaspora has learned of the fate of one mom: Ana-Mari Ljutić. Tragically, her joy has been overtaken by an aggressive form of cancer which has stopped her in her tracks and has placed a huge financial burden on her family. Something about Ana-Mari's story urged us to inquire further. One of our members contacted the family and drove out to meet with them.

We quickly learned that a three year battle with breast cancer has metastasized on Ana-Mari's spine and has now spread to her brain. Ana's initial prognosis didn't last beyond 2018. Yet she is still here, with her husband Dino and their two small children, aged 3 and 5, by her side, putting up the fight.

Since the cancer has reached her brain, Ana-Mari has been left disabled and has difficulties speaking and reading. Her memory is also affected. Most recently her cancer has returned in a more aggressive manner and tumours are reappearing. She has started another round of radiation which they hope will give Ana-Mari another year to live.

Many of the medications that she receives for other complications from her cancer are not covered by her HZZO / Croatian health insurance. Half of their combined monthly income of her disability pension of 2,290 HRK (EUR 300) and Dino's minimum wage earnings is spent on this additional medication, a speech pathologist, and other out of pocket medical expenses.

Due to Covid, Dino's job is at risk since he works in the restaurant industry.

Crodiaspora has taken the Ljutić family's situation to heart. Our members have pledged EUR 800 ($1,000 US) to help pay for Ana-Mari's upcoming medical costs in 2021. The family will need just over EUR 4,000 ($4,900 US) to cover these costs. Any money raised above this amount will greatly help the family breathe a sigh of relief and to focus on the other financial strains of Ana-Mari's treatment and help them focus on the needs of their children.