“Your child has cancer.” With these heart-wrenching words, our world was turned upside down. It was early 2022, and our beloved daughter’s life was suddenly at risk. But the unimaginable didn’t end there — shortly after, war erupted in our homeland, plunging us into further turmoil. I found myself alone with our three children abroad, while my husband remained behind, working tirelessly to save every penny for our daughter, Sabinka. The fight against the enemy threatening her life, stage IV neuroblastoma, a highly aggressive childhood cancer, had just begun.
Sabinka’s struggle commenced with a 9-centimeter tumor in her abdomen — a terrifying diagnosis that left us in a perpetual state of dread. The first glimmer of hope appeared when we began treatment in Israel. Chemotherapy, tumor removal, more chemotherapy — we tried everything, but the looming question of whether we would lose our daughter hung heavily in the air. It was a nightmare that felt endless. The months dragged on, each day filled with uncertainty.
After finishing chemotherapy in Israel, we faced the tough decision to travel to Spain for immunotherapy. It was a difficult choice, but the treatment in Barcelona was more affordable and, importantly, less toxic for Sabinka. For a brief moment, it felt like we might finally catch our breath. Unfortunately, just when we thought we might be out of danger, follow-up tests revealed that Sabinka’s cancer had returned. The recurrence was devastating, with metastases in her head. Once again, we confronted the unimaginable — urgent surgery was necessary.
Fear returned, and the faint hope we had was shattered. But we refused to give up. We fought even harder for Sabinka, understanding that every step forward was vital for her survival.
The Path to Remission
By early September 2023, Sabinka began her final cycle of immunochemotherapy. This time, the results were more encouraging. Her tests indicated that the treatment was effective, and we began to feel the first signs of optimism. Her previous cycles were yielding positive outcomes, and the doctors were doing everything possible to help us finally overcome this insidious disease.
Then, the words we had longed to hear arrived: REMISSION. The long-awaited moment had come. It was a victory, but the journey was far from complete. Sabinka’s road to full recovery would still take many years, and her battle with neuroblastoma was not over. She continues to take specialized DFMO medication and is participating in a clinical trial exclusively in the United States to give her a chance at a brighter future.
Fortunately, we can conduct all necessary follow-up tests in Spain, as doctors in both the U.S. and Spain are collaborating closely to monitor Sabinka’s progress. This partnership gives us hope, knowing that the best experts are caring for her well-being.
A Long Road Ahead
The treatment plan for Sabinka is set to last a grueling two years, with check-ups every three months and five visits to the United States. After that, we face another three years of check-ups, albeit less frequent. The financial burden of this journey is unimaginable, and the costs for all necessary tests over the next five years have been billed to us by the hospital. The total is staggering, a sum that our family simply cannot afford, even if it were broken down into manageable parts.
We’ve reached the limit of our financial capabilities, and Sabinka’s path to permanent remission will take years. The emotional, physical, and financial toll of this fight has been overwhelming. Yet, we are determined not to give up. Every step she takes toward recovery is a victory, and we cling to the belief that one day she will be free from this nightmare.
A Call for Help
We’re reaching out for your help to give Sabinka the chance she deserves — the chance to live a life free from fear, pain, and suffering. I dream of the day when we can safely return home, living a life of normalcy and joy, a life that feels like a distant dream right now. But to achieve that, we need support. We cannot do this alone.
The road ahead is long, but with your assistance, we can provide Sabinka with the opportunity to be healthy, to laugh, and to live without the shadow of cancer looming over her. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to that dream of a future where she is healthy and happy.
From the depths of my heart, I thank you for any support you can offer. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us. Thank you for standing with Sabinka and our family in this fight. Together, we can make a difference.
