Cathy's Story  
  

In November 2008, Cathy was diagnosed as having a malignant brain tumor called Glioblastoma Muliforme Grade IV. The tumor was located in the right parietal lobe of her brain and had been causing intermittent strange sensations in her left hand and arm in the weeks preceding the tumor discovery. The initial diagnosis and prognosis were devastating   with multiple doctors telling us the tumor was inoperable, incurable, and terminal.          Despite the many levels of terrible news, Cathy remained unfailing in her Faith and asked only for confident prayers of friends and family to seek God's miraculous healing upon her. Her simple request was filled instantly and exponentially as a multitude of prayers from the faithful lifted her confidence and thanksgiving to God. God did indeed hear our faithful chorus and on December 4th a scheduled biopsy of the tumor turned quite suddenly into a full blown craniotomy after the "inoperable" tumor became operable after all. A prayer led by her neuro- surgeon said it all...that God's Hands were with the doctors and God's Healing presence upon Cathy.  Eight hours of open brain surgery later, Cathy emerged exhausted but still her beautiful self with no injury to her brain, meaning no paralysis, and just as remarkably with a total tumor resection. And so began the long and continuing chain of Miracles that would be a defining Gift from the entire experience.           Today, the chain of miracles continues. Cathy has had TWO additional craniotomies within a 2 week period to remove a recurring tumor. Again, miraculously, no paralysis. She has courageously battled brain cancer for almost 2 yrs.  Her deep Faith sustains her during her good days and her bad days as she continues her chemotherapy. Faith, paired with the best available medical procedures gives HOPE.  Hope, that comes in the form of a dendritic cell vaccine.             This vaccine combines antigens removed from Cathy's brain tumor (during her last craniotomy) and combined with her own white blood cells, results in the formation of new t-cells. The t-cell's only job is to seek and destroy foreign, (cancerous) bodies. This remarkable vaccine engages her own immune system to seek and destroy the cancer.   Truly Amazing!     In the U.S., this vaccine is available only through clinical trials where the tumor was removed.  In Cathy's case, UCLA Medical Center.  At this time, UCLA is only performing clinical trial studies involving the dendritic cell vaccine for newly diagnosed GBM patients.  It is unknown when the clinical trial will open for recurrent GBM patients.  However, Cathy has options.      Israel has obtained all the required permits from the U.S. and from UCLA to allow tumors to be transported to a hospital where the vaccine is approved for use.  Same vaccine Cathy would have received from UCLA, shipped to Israel. Israel provides the Hope.         The cost to receive the dentritic cell vaccine is $110,000.00 which is not covered by insurance. A three week stay is required while the initial vaccine is administered and    follow up vaccines every two months for the 1st year where Cathy will have to return to Israel.  It is estimated that costs will be approximately $150,000 with travel and lodging included.                Cathy knows from the bottom of her heart, with complete FAITH, she will be cured!                       With our FAITH, and with this Foundation, we will make that happen.                           Love, Faith, Believe