Dear friends and kind strangers,

I am reaching out because my mother, Daleen, is facing a really tough battle with breast cancer. I am her eldest daughter (one of four children), which includes my younger sister and two younger brothers. My mother is not married and has been living on her own for many years now.

She recently found painful lumps near her breast and underarm, and after necessary tests and a biopsy, it was confirmed that it is cancer.

During a CT scan done just a few days later, she had a severe allergic reaction to the contrast dye. She struggled to breathe, couldn’t speak, and became very ill for a while. Thankfully, the doctors acted quickly, and she recovered. But it was a frightening experience for both my mother and me. My younger sister and youngest brother are also supporting and doing everything in their power to help my mother through this difficult time.

On top of this, my mother has been taking care of one of my two brothers (34 years old), who has paranoid schizophrenia. She has suffered years of financial, mental, and physical abuse from him. Just a few days ago, with the help of the police, we were able to get him safely admitted to a mental health institution.

My mother’s CT scan showed the cancer has not spread to other organs, which is a relief, but she urgently needs chemotherapy to stop it from spreading, followed by breast surgery.

We do not know exactly how much all of this treatment will cost, but we know that breast cancer treatment in South Africa can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of rands, depending on the therapies required, including chemotherapy sessions, surgery, medications, and hospital stays.

I will update the goal as we learn more about the exact costs. Every donation, big or small, will make an enormous difference. Your support means not only medical help but also emotional strength for her as she faces this fight, and relief from the burdens she has been carrying for our family.

My mother is a strong woman, but she will need physical help and support once this treatment starts. As the eldest, I will take on this responsibility with dedication and love, alongside my younger sister and youngest brother, who will also be doing everything possible to make this less difficult for her.

If you are able to assist, any donation will make a huge difference, and even a simple thank-you doesn’t seem enough.

I sincerely appreciate all kindness, prayers, and support during this difficult time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dijana