Help Belen fight against grade 4 brain cancer

My name is Belén. I’m 31, Argentinian, and I arrived in NZ in September to reunite with my partner Max and start our dream of living, traveling, and working together. What was meant to be a beautiful beginning quickly turned into something I never expected.

After several days of strong headaches, I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a brain tumor pressing on my brain. I needed emergency surgery. The operation went well, but a few days later I received heartbreaking news: the biopsy showed a stage four malignant cancer, very fast-growing and aggressive.

I now need to start radiotherapy and chemotherapy as soon as possible. Time is crucial, That's why the oncologist indicated that I should start it next week or at the beginning of January.. Sadly, the cost is extremely high. Because I’m not a resident, the public health system doesn’t cover it, and the cancer center requires full payment upfront. My insurance hasn’t answered yet, and I can’t work while recovering. The small savings my boyfriend and I had are already going to food, medical appointments, and medication.

I’m doing my best to stay strong, recover from surgery, and fight for the life I came here to build. I love running, swimming, learning, and traveling, and my dream is to return to all of it in good health and without fear. Asking for help is hard, but right now it’s my only option. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help me begin treatment as soon as possible and face this difficult moment.