Hello!
My name is Evgenia. I am 35. I live in Togliatti. Until I got sick, my life
was very good: I gave birth to a son, and worked as a dental assistant at the
pediatric dental clinic. Since I was a little girl, I loved children and always
dreamt of becoming a preschool teacher or a nurse at a pediatric hospital. My
son and I live together very happily.
Unfortunately, in 2007 I was diagnosed with a terrifying disease: aggressive
systemic T-cell lymphoma with skin metastases. I received a disability status
and began chemotherapy at the local oncology center. The treatment lasted 1.5
years. In total, I completed 11 cycles of chemotherapy, but never achieved
remission, and my disease is still progressing.
I was recently offered new treatment protocol that includes expensive
second-line chemotherapy drugs: Velcade and Calyx. I need six cycles, and if
I achieve stabilization, I was recommended bone marrow transplantation (I consulted
at R. Gorbacheva Pediatric Hematology and Transfusiology Institute).
I tried to receive these medications under a quota, but was unsuccessful, even
though I asked the Regional Healthcare Committee and the Chief Oncologist of
our city for help. I cannot afford these medications on my own, as they cost
hundreds of thousands of rubles!
Each course requires 4 bottles of Velcade (60,000 rubles each) and 2 bottles
of Calyx (70,000 rubles each). Where can I find so much money?! I don't know
what to do. I have to live, not so much for my own sake, as for my son's. My
little boy needs me. He has no one else. Please help me with buying these
medications. I will be very grateful to everyone who helps!
Update as of February 10, 2010.
We purchased medications for the first cycle using donations for all
patients and forwarded them to Togliatti. Zhenya started a course of therapy
at Chemotherapy ward of Clinical Hospital No.5 in Togliatti. The course
will be over on February 19th and in two weeks she needs to start the next
one. Please help Zhenya!
Update as of February 22, 2010.
Zhenya completed the first cycle of
chemotherapy under an experimental protocol, and it was very difficult, with
many complications and weight loss, but there was a response! The second
cycle will start on March 5th and by then Zhenya needs to buy three more
Velcade bottles, each of which costs 40,000 rubles.
Update as of April 6, 2010.
Zhenya completed second cycle of therapy under a new protocol. It
stretched out for a while, due to Zhenya's low blood counts.
The third cycle will start on April 12, and AdVita Fund already
purchased medications for it. The tumor is responding well and
after the fourth cycle Zhenya will be tested and based on the
results BMT will be considered.
Update as of May 12, 2010.
In about 10 days I plan to travel to St. Petersburg, for a consultation
at Gorbacheva Hematology Institute. I was started on the third
chemotherapy cycle, but could not finish it, because my blood counts
stopped recovering completely. The tumors in my skin are dormant.
One of the lymph nodes was not affected by chemotherapy and was removed
surgically. Soon I will have the stitches taken off.
Tomorrow I plan to go to Samara for bone marrow trepanobiopsy.
Zhenya
Update as of August 10, 2010.
Unfortunately, Zhenya had a relapse. She is now undergoing radiation therapy.
Her documents were forwarded to several clinics for consultations.
Update as of September 20, 2010.
After consultation at a clinic in Zurich (Switzerland), Zhenya was enrolled in a
clinical trial with APO866. She will need to be at the clinic on October 5th.
The treatment will be free, but Zhenya needs help with paying for tickets and lodging.
Treatment may last close to 3 months, and the clinic does not have affordable lodging
nearby. We would like to ask everyone who wants to help Zhenya to send their donations
to her credit card account.
Update as of October 6, 2010.
Zhenia came to Zurich to be in a clinical trial and completed all planned tests. On
Monday she is starting a first chemotherapy course with a new medication. We are
sincerely grateful to all volunteers who help Zhenia in Switzerland.
Update as of October 18, 2010.
Zhenya completed the first cycle. For now, she has a fever.
It is too early to say whether the therapy is working.
If no new lesions appear, it is already considered a good thing - then
after the second cycle, shrinkage of the tumors will be expected.
If no response is seen after three cycles of treatment, Zhenya will
be transferred on therapy with Ontak.
We are enormoulsy grateful to the family who is housing
Zhenya while she is in Swizerland.
Update as of November 24, 2010.
Unfortunately, the clinical trial in Zurich
clinic was unsuccessful and Zhenia returned to Tolyatti. We are very
grateful to everyone who helped Zhenia in Switzerland. Now we are in the
process of discussing the treatment with Ontak.
Update as of December 18, 2010.
Zhenechka bravely fought for her life for three years...
For two of them, AdVita Fund volunteers and donors were
fighting with us. Your kindness and generosity gave us
happiness of Zhenya's life when she could be with us,
live with us, laugh with us and give us her love.
You showed us that this world has selflessness, love,
care and goodness. We are thankful to all Zhenya's
supporters thanks to whom she had the latest
medications - and the last two years of her life.
We would like to thank Lenochka and Marina, fund volunteers,
Volodya and Tatiana and Veronica from Switzerland.
We are very grateful for your work. God bless you.
Zhenya Ivanova's family
