Women are dying from breast cancer. You can help change that
Too many women are dying from breast cancer. Your support can change this. Please donate now to help is push for earlier detection, faster diagnosis, and equal access to life-saving treatment.
Anastasia's story
Anastasia was only 23 years old when diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Breast cancer at this stage is incurable.
“Because I’m stage 4, doctors don’t trust that my body is able to stay in any sort of remission. So, I’ll either be on treatment until this disease progresses, or until I can’t handle it anymore. I guess we just wait.”
This is the reality, the future of Anastasia’s entire family, husband Sam and two children three-year old Xiaver and baby Esmae.
Anastasia has endured brutal side-effects from hair loss, burns, blood clots, infections, severe migraines and vomiting. As well as mouth ulcers which prevented her from eating and saw her weight drop to just 42 kilos, while radiation has affected her spine, ribs, and lungs.
Despite it all, the only thought is for her children. What the future would look like and if it included her still around.
“They know mummy’s unwell. Mummy needs to sometimes go to the doctor and sometimes have surgery. The most challenging part was after my mastectomy. I was really upset that I couldn’t even hold my kids. I couldn’t do a thing. Not even comfort them. I even said, I feel like I’m not a mum for them.”
“They know mummy’s unwell. Mummy needs to sometimes go to the doctor and sometimes have surgery. The most challenging part was after my mastectomy. I was really upset that I couldn’t even hold my kids. I couldn’t do a thing. Not even comfort them. I even said, I feel like I’m not a mum for them.”
After all that, the unexpected happened. A CT scan revealed Anastasia had a large tumour in her brain.
“Surgery happened on August 17th, my birthday. I was turning 25. I ended up with 27 staples, and a piece of my skull is still missing.”
Anastaia continues to take things day by day, making every moment count with her family.
Anastaia continues to take things day by day, making every moment count with her family.
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How your gift can help
$45
Can help provide essential support and advice to someone like Anastasia
$66
Can help fund vital education and life-saving supports
$120
Can empower advocacy for life saving treatments and transform lives
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ doesn't receive any government funding. It is only because of your kindness, we can continue to push for a system where every woman is seen, heard, and treated in time – earlier detection, faster diagnosis, and better health outcomes for us all.
Where your money goes
A breast cancer diagnosis presents many challenges, and they're not all medical.
After your diagnosis, you may benefit from the support services we offer, like free counselling, physio, or our 0800 BC NURSE helpline.
