Breast Cancer Patient Receives New Care, Thanks to Gas Cards
Battling Breast Cancer
In 2018, Sharon was experiencing discharge from her nipples. She went in for a mammogram and a breast biopsy. The results came back bad: she had a rare form of breast cancer. The doctors said she needed surgery followed by radiation, immediately. When Sharon said she needed time to think, she was told that waiting would give the cancer too much time to spread and she would need chemo on top of the surgery and radiation.
A Different Road
Sharon talked to one of her friends, who had survived cancer as well and worked as an oncology nurse. This friend sent Sharon resources for holistic and alternative cancer treatments. They included trauma therapy, specialized supplements, infusions, and cryoablation (targeting and killing cancer cells with extreme cold). This was a different path with less side effects. It had worked for Sharon's friend and a number of others. However, since these treatments weren't mainstream yet, they were not covered by insurance.
From Obstacles...
Sharon also connected with a team of specialists in Irvine, CA. They were willing to do the holistic and alternative treatments, and had presented at medical conferences about these topics. However, getting to their offices and then driving back home again added to Sharon's financial struggles. The gas prices were ridiculously high, and Sharon could barely afford it on top of treatment costs.
...To Optimism
That was when Sharon found out about Mercy Medical Angels. The nonprofit sent her gas cards, so she was able to afford the cost of traveling to the specialists. Sharon's battles were a little less stressful now, which contributed to a more optimistic outlook.
"My Life is So Fulfilling!"
In April of 2025, Sharon actually went with the specialists to speak at a conference. She also helped raise money for a clinical trial that was studying cryoablation. And more opportunities to advocate for cancer patients and holistic treatments are lining up for her. "My life is so fulfilling," said Sharon. "I live my life like I don't have cancer, while doing what I need to do to treat it."
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