For these people, autumn will now be a lot
\nmore colourful and full of hope than it might otherwise have been.<\/p>\n
A 43-year-old family man from Tallinn is suffering from lung
\ncancer. His three-month treatment regime costs more than 17,000 euros, a
\nquarter of which he has to contribute himself; the rest is covered by the fund.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re also supporting a 70-year-old pensioner in their fight
\nagainst stomach cancer. We\u2019re contributing almost 9000 euros to the three
\nmonths of treatment they\u2019re undergoing.<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s the 51-year-old man with cancer of the nasal
\npassage. Three months of treatment for him costs more than 18,000 euros, a
\nthird of which he is contributing himself.<\/p>\n
The fourth person we\u2019re helping is a 62-year-old woman from
\nP\u00e4rnu whose treatment for kidney cancer we\u2019re contributing almost 14,000 euros
\nto. She first received our help back in July.<\/p>\n
Her life changed last spring when she was rushed to P\u00e4rnu Hospital
\nwith a severe nosebleed and from there by ambulance to Tallinn. Following
\ncomprehensive tests she was diagnosed with fourth-stage cancer of the kidney with
\na number of secondary sites.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d never had any problems with my kidneys,\u201d she wrote to
\nus in July. \u201cThe news came as such a shock. I just couldn\u2019t believe it. Then
\nthe treatment began \u2013 a nose operation, radiation, my kidney was removed,
\ncapsules and tablets… Through all this I felt well, until this May, when my
\ndoctor told me that while the secondary sites were in remission, a new primary
\nsite had developed. To my dismay, the Health Insurance Fund was no longer
\nprepared to pay for further treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt that point I felt that both myself and my family had
\nbeen left to cope with this terrible situation on our own. I was in a very dark
\nplace for a few days. Thanks to the support of my family and friends, however,
\nI was able to look at my situation clearly again. Dr Peeter Padrik gave me new
\nhope, and the \u2018Gift of Life\u2019 is helping me keep that hope alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, in September, she writes:<\/p>\n
\u201cYour help has been invaluable. My first six months of
\ntreatment have seen a marked improvement in my health and in how I feel
\ngenerally. I\u2019m enjoying the good things in life again with my family, my
\nchildren, my grandchildren and my friends. My heartfelt thanks to everyone
\nbehind the \u2018Gift of Life\u2019 \u2013 the people in charge, the volunteers and everyone
\nwho has so kindly donated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWriting this has brought tears to my eyes, and not from
\nsadness but from happiness. Thank you for being there!\u201d<\/p>\n