Shine a light of hope for a better tomorrow
As the holiday season envelops us in its warm embrace, I find myself surrounded by the love of my family, cherishing precious moments and creating memories. Amid this joy, I am reaching out to you to share a story of hope, resilience, and unwavering support that has illuminated my darkest days.
I’m Nina, a young wife and mother of three beautiful children, ages 4, 3, and 1. Our joyful life took an unexpected turn days after my daughter’s birth when severe pain in my hips and spine emerged. Initially considered a postpartum pelvic floor issue, the pain escalated, prompting an emergency room visit on Thanksgiving before my scheduled specialist appointment.
The diagnosis was crushing – cholangiocarcinoma, a battle I never imagined fighting. The cancer had spread relentlessly to my hips, spine, and lungs, leaving me in the shadow of uncertainty.
I started traditional first-line chemotherapy, but it not only failed against my cancer, it worsened it. Thankfully, after my initial diagnosis, biomarker testing revealed a lifeline – a specific chemotherapy pill tailored to one of my biomarkers. This second line of defense began shrinking the cancer and renewed my hope.
My family, faith, and the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation are my pillars of strength. The Foundation provides invaluable resources and a compassionate community that has been a sanctuary in my storm. The newly diagnosed patient care kit included thoughtful self-care items and educational resources.
I urge you to support the Candles for the Cure campaign this holiday season. A friend of the foundation is matching donations up to $25,000, which means your donation will make twice the difference and serve as a beacon of hope for someone like me.
Let’s come together this holiday season and shine a light of hope for a better tomorrow. As a symbol of your compassion, once you donate, you can light a virtual candle, illuminating the world by honoring loved ones. Please won’t you join me in making a gift to Candles for the Cure.
Thank you for your support and compassion.
With overflowing gratitude,
Cholangiocarcinoma Warrior
P.S. Your gift today will help cholangiocarcinoma patients like me get a new patient care kit and other support and resources they need. (Watch me open my patient care kit!)
More than 23,000 employers offer matching gifts. Yours could be one of them; search here.
Light a Candle