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| Nathalie and I at work |
I started working at Google in March 2010. One month later Nathalie joined the team. We are both contractors without health benefits. Two months ago Nathalie told me about her recurring cervical cancer. Yes! I said recurring. Nathalie was first diagnosed with cancer in September 2009. “When they called me on Sept. 21 to tell me the results, it’s like I got a lump in my forehead”, says Nathalie.
She immediately undergone a first surgery for the removal of the cancerous lymph nodes. Everybody thought that Nathalie was cancer free but one year later in September 2010 after a routine check up the doctor found a suspicious mass. She was rushed to hospital to undergo a biopsy. The cancer had progressed and she must start radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
“ I hit the jackpot” sighed Nathalie, referring to the seriousness of her illness. The statistics showed that the chances of defeating this cancer is 65%. “But I have a treatable cancer. If I am cancer free in the next five years, everything will be fine. I will be on the same footing as a woman who never had cancer" she says forcefully. Last December 2010 Nathalie went through another surgery and into a course of a very aggressive 6 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The next round of chemo will start at the end of January 2010.
Nathalie is a very hard and truly dedicated worker. She didn’t miss a day at work beside the ones she had to get her chemotherapy. Sometimes secretly I look at her and can’t ignore her paleness and her frailty. I can only admire her courage and determination.
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| Moral support is very important when dealing with cancer |
You might think “ I don’t know her” and it’s a fact you don’t know her. But just take a moment and wonder what if it were me? You certainly don’t want to answer that question. Nathalie is a temporary employee but in a time like that we should all unify and show solidarity to life. Your donation will contribute to strengthen by 10 fold Nathalie’s moral. What will you get in return? I guarantee you will feel amazingly good about yourself.
This fundraiser is dedicated to Nathalie. My goal is to raise as much money as I can – only the sky is the limit. I challenge every one of you. It's not asking a lot of any one person. It's asking a little of everybody, and it goes a long way.
I also hope that the fundraiser will help raise awareness of the disease. Together let’s reach the sky. Give what you can, and spread the word. Life is priceless, your donation is golden.
Hopefully, you found this story interesting. At the very least, thank you for reading and for supporting Nathalie.
Best and many thanks for your generosity.
Sonia Leclerc (Campaing Organizer)
For more details visit : About Zap Cancer.
