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Denise’s Story

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Denise has been a Lazarex patient since May 2009. She was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma in April of 2008 and was treated with chemotherapy, surgery, and more chemotherapy through the remainder of that year. She suffered through feeling poorly, hair loss, and her disease did not respond well to the treatment. In January 2009 she began a clinical trial in Santa Monica, CA (near Los Angeles), 3,000 miles from her home in Hawaii that required her to return to the mainland every 3-4 weeks.

From Denise:

“I just celebrated my 53rd birthday and have been participating in a clinical trial with an amazing Dr. Sant Chawla in Santa Monica California since January 2009. Without assistance from Lazarex Cancer Foundation I would not be able to continue with this clinical trial. Living 3,000 miles away across the Pacific Ocean it would have been near impossible for me to afford this life saving trek for medical care and would have put a lot of financial pressure on my family. Since being diagnosed in April 2008, my life has been an amazing journey. I am now a grandmother of two beautiful twin boys who turned one year old in February. They are my breath of life. You would think being diagnosed with a serious, often terminal disease, that it might be the end of the world. But for me, personally, I feel I have been blessed as I am receiving all the love from everyone in the now and not in the later. I am living a full, content, and blissful life. Lazarex has given me the opportunity to continue living it. I am eternally grateful for the help Lazarex has given me and my family.”

Again, much mahalo for featuring me as your next VIP as I am truly touched and honored!!!!

With sincerest hugs,
Denise

August 2017 update: We learned of Denise’s passing from her husband. She was our patient for over 7 years. Given weeks to live, Denise lived 10 years, productive and loving to the end. She saw her son get married, twin grandchildren born, and witnessed her little girl become a women. It is an honor for us to have been a part of this journey for Denise and her family. Much Love and Aloha to you Denise