A married couple relocated to the United States due to the threat of political persecution in Belarus. Unexpectedly, the wife was diagnosed with cancer and needs urgent support to cover the cost of treatment.
My name is Dmitry Germanchuk. I am asking for help for my wife, Natalia. In the summer of 2015, due to threats of political persecution, we left Belarus and have been living in the United States ever since. The reason for our departure was my civic and political activism in Vitebsk. While still a student, I took part in street protests and distributed opposition materials. In May 2015, I was detained with leaflets; later, law enforcers came to my workplace, summoned me for “friendly chats,” and conducted a search at our home. Since I had a valid U.S. visa at the time, we decided to leave.
Law enforcers continued to come even after our departure – they questioned our family members about our whereabouts and occupations and summoned them for “friendly chats.” Already while in the United States, we actively responded to events in Belarus after the 2020 elections: we took part in solidarity actions and openly expressed support for the protests on social media. Later, a local police officer let it slip that there was a criminal case involved, related to “extremism” and “inciting hatred online.” Returning to Belarus became impossible for us. As a result, we were granted political asylum in the United States, and this year we received a positive decision on our green card. The legalization process took nine and a half years.
Before Natalia’s illness, we had no serious health problems. We led an active lifestyle, did sports, and worked as fitness trainers. We did not have full medical insurance due to its high cost – about $2,000 per month. Instead, we underwent annual routine check-ups with a private doctor and paid $500 for them. Before the pandemic, we worked in New York, then moved to Florida. After COVID, our financial situation deteriorated sharply: I took out a loan for a truck and started working as a driver. We constantly lived under financial pressure and had no savings. Six months ago, we moved to Philadelphia because Natalia was offered a job with a higher salary.
On December 4, Natalia underwent a routine pelvic ultrasound at a private medical center. She had no symptoms at all – no pain, no weight loss, no weakness. During the examination, the doctor advised us to take out insurance in case further tests were needed. That same day, I purchased insurance for $370 per month, but like any insurance in the U.S., it has an activation period and does not take effect immediately.
Four days later, we received the results: Natalia was urgently advised to be hospitalized with suspected cancer. From December 8 to 10, she was in the hospital, where she underwent MRI, CT scans, and other tests. On December 15, the biopsy results came back: my wife was diagnosed with angiosarcoma – a rare and extremely aggressive form of cancer of vascular tissue. The tumor is about 15 centimeters in size, presumably in the uterus or ovaries, with metastases to the liver. Doctors also had concerns about small lesions in the lungs, which are to be clarified after the next courses of treatment.
On December 19, Natalia was hospitalized for the first course of chemotherapy. She stayed in the hospital until December 24. The course included four IV infusions, each of which, according to doctors, costs about $20,000. The next course of chemotherapy is scheduled for the second half of January.
At the hospital, we were told that the $370 insurance plan does not cover oncology treatment. On the recommendation of social workers, I took out another insurance plan that does cover cancer treatment, but it only became effective on January 1. All examinations and treatment carried out in December must be paid by us out of pocket. We were told that the bill would arrive later and could be very large: the hospital may write off part of the amount, and the rest would be offered to be paid in installments over many years.
Since my wife fell ill, I have not been working and have been with her all the time. The truck I purchased on credit is idle, but I am required to pay about $5,000 per month for the loan, insurance, and parking. Rent costs about $2,000 per month. I have sold the car and everything I could, but these funds are not enough. We have fallen into serious debt, as we need to pay for housing, food, and basic expenses.
Natalia’s physical condition is severe. After chemotherapy, she felt very unwell, and although her condition has stabilized somewhat, she experiences extreme fatigue – she sleeps a lot, finds it difficult to walk, and feels nauseous. The doctors are not giving any prognosis. The treatment plan includes three to four courses of chemotherapy, after which a decision will be made about the next steps.
The money is needed now to cover the costs of examinations, diagnosis, and the first course of chemotherapy, as well as to be able to stay by my wife’s side during this period and not be left without a means of subsistence.
Fundraising goal
€6000
With this amount, we will partially cover the expenses for the first course of chemotherapy