Cancer Fundraiser for Irene Acuna
Imagine waking up to prepare for the day with a deep sense of peace ushering you out of bed. At the end of the day, you sit at a bountiful table to share dinner with your family. Everything is good.
Now imagine the same day, but this time, you notice that something is not right with your body: That small lump that you thought was nothing has turned into an enormous lump that concerns you. You share your concerns with your doctor and wait for the news. The news you share at dinner with your family is not good. It’s cancer.
Olney resident Irene Acuna, 44, recalled a day when she woke up full of joy with plans to work and spend time with her family. But that joy turned to sadness in February when she noticed a lump that she previously thought was an infection, which was now more extensive and painful.
In September, Ms. Acuna decided to get further testing, which confirmed breast cancer. As she was preparing to undergo treatments and surgery, the doctor revealed that she had Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, and the prognosis was not good.
The impact of this on her family was profound. Ms. Acuna didn’t think about herself at that moment; instead, she thought about how to tell her three daughters that she wouldn’t be with them for as long as they once imagined.
“I left work early and asked my family to come home so I could tell them the news. I didn’t wait to tell them, I told them the same day,” Ms. Acuna said as tears streamed down her face. “I told them that the treatments are not going to save my life, so all I want is to live out the remainder of my life as stress-free as possible and to spend as much time as I can with my family.”
Approximately one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their life, according to breastcancer.org. While the overall risk of death is minimized with advanced screening and treatments, Ms. Acuna’s outcome is dire as her cancer has spread to her lymph nodes, blood, and other parts of her body.
There are more than four million women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S., with 66 percent of those cases diagnosed early before metastasizing. This statistic underscores the importance of early detection. Various breast cancer organizations emphasize the importance of getting routine exams to catch it early. Ms. Acuna said she recommends getting tested.
“Testing doesn’t hurt, and it doesn’t take that long. It is important to get tested at least once a year to catch it early,” Ms. Acuna said. “I never thought I would be diagnosed with breast cancer, so I didn’t think about getting tested. My situation could have had a different outcome with early testing, but my family gives me the strength to stay positive.”
Breast cancer treatment is expensive, and the cost varies depending on the stage and type of treatment. Even with insurance, the cost can be overwhelming for many. The average cost of chemotherapy per session is more than $34,000, while radiation therapy, on average, is more than $12,000 per session. Other costs associated with treatments include surgery and medication The cost incurred by the Acuna family has caused a burden, and the family is seeking relief to help alleviate some of the pressure that Ms. Acuna is facing while she is fighting for her life.
The Acuna family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Ms. Acuna’s medical expenses. You can donate by scanning the barcode at the end of this article.
You may also show your support by attending the barbeque fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 414, located at 103 Hwy 251 S., Olney.
The barbeque plate lunch is $12.00, payable by cash or Venmo: @Irene-Acuna-2. For more information, contact Ociana Acuna at 940.212.0719.
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