Dear Community,
When we share stories of cancer, the narrative is often filled with clinical terms and statistics. But as anyone who has walked this path knows, the real story isn't the illness, it's how a person chooses to live through it.
Today, we want you to meet Mirela.
Before her world shifted, Mirela spent her days as a geologist, exploring the deep history of the earth. She raised her children, volunteered, and poured her energy into everyone else. In 2024, she faced an abrupt upheaval: a diagnosis of Stage 4 ovarian cancer.
Yet, when you look at Mirela today, you don't just see a patient under treatment. You see a woman fiercely protecting her joy.
"I am going through a period of transformation," Mirela shared. "I used to love helping my family, doing good deeds through volunteering, and working as a geologist. Now, I have my family, my friends, and my faith by my side."
Morale is medicine, too
Cancer strips away so much control, which is why reclaiming agency is a radical act of survival. For Mirela, that agency lives in the soil of her garden, the pages of her books, and the rhythmic, healing motion of her crochet needle. The photos she shared of her handmade crochet pieces are stunning testaments to her patience and resilience.
Thanks to your collective generosity, our community recently provided Mirela with a €500 grant. In her response, she taught us a profound lesson about what true support looks like:
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Dignity: Handling utility bills and essential personal care supplies.
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Life: Investing in gardening materials, cosmetics, books, puzzles, and new yarn.
"I am glad I am learning from you not to forget to think about myself," she wrote to us. "It is hard given the diagnosis... Morale is the most important factor."
The Impact of Your Support
By standing with our community, you didn’t just help cover a bill. You funded a fighter's peace of mind. You bought the yarn she needs to weave hope into her mornings and the soil to plant new life. You gave her permission to look in the mirror and remember who she is outside of a hospital room.
Mirela sends her deepest gratitude for your messages and support. And we thank you for remembering that behind every diagnosis is a vibrant, irreplaceable human soul.
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer, the diagnosis Mirela is bravely navigating, begins in the ovaries. Because its early symptoms are often subtle and easily mistaken for common, less serious conditions, it is frequently diagnosed in its later stages.
Education and awareness are our best defenses. here is what you need to know to protect yourself and the women you love:
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Screening: Unlike cervical cancer (which has the Pap smear) or breast cancer (which has mammograms), there is currently no reliable, routine screening test for ovarian cancer in women with an average risk.
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Symptom awareness is key: Because routine screening doesn't exist, early detection relies entirely on knowing your body and recognising the warning signs.
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Common symptoms to watch for: Pay attention if you experience any of the following symptoms persistently:
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Unexplained bloating or a swollen belly
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Pelvic or abdominal pain
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Feeling full quickly or difficulty eating
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Frequent or urgent need to urinate
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When to seek care: Having these symptoms occasionally is normal. However, if you notice them happening almost daily for more than two or three weeks, please consult a healthcare professional. Listening to your body and advocating for your health are the most powerful tools you have.
According to the latest global data from the World Health Organization's Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), approximately 324,603 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer worldwide each year.
It is the 8th most common cancer among women globally. These numbers highlight just how many families are touched by this disease, and they reinforce the importance of sharing stories like Mirela's to spread awareness and hope.
Help us fuel hope
Every warrior deserves the dignity of having their basic needs met, and the joy of keeping their dreams alive.
If you would like to help us continue supporting our warriors' wishes, creative dreams, and essential needs as they navigate their hardest chapters, please consider making a donation today.
Your generosity ensures that no one has to fight alone.
With gratitude,
TCW team