By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The battle against cancer comes with tremendous costs – physical, emotional, and financial – and the expenses go beyond medical bills.
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Shareika Ortiz spends much of her time in doctors’ offices and clinics. Multiple times a month, she receives chemotherapy at Duke Women’s Cancer Care in Raleigh to treat Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.
“Not only do I have chemo, I have to see a cardiologist. I have to have MRIs; I have to have CT scans, so it’s a lot,” she said.
Ortiz began battling breast cancer more than 20 years ago. She was diagnosed in 2004. After a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and a hysterectomy, she was relieved to put the disease behind her and enjoyed 16 years of remission.
“I was glad I got to see my kids grow up,” she said, smiling. “I got to see some of them have kids of their own.”
But in 2000, the cancer came back in her brain and her lungs. Ortiz went through more surgery, and she is hopeful that treatment will keep her healthy enough to continue enjoying life with her children and grandchildren. Still, six years of constant appointments and hospital stays left her struggling with her health and her finances.
“It takes a toll on you – having cancer,” she stated. “My only income right now is Social Security.”
Ortiz’s oncologist, Dr. Vijay Paryani, said many patients are unable to work while going through cancer treatment, and he hears from a lot of patients who are worried about money.
“I’m struggling to make ends meet; I’m struggling to get bills paid,” they tell him. “I want to keep food on the table; I have mouths to feed.”
“Those are such critical questions, and we’re over here talking about at the same time [they’re] fighting cancer; that’s not fair,” he added. “Fighting cancer, in itself, isn’t a small battle; it’s a war, and when you’re at war like that, to worry about basic needs for you and your family, that’s unacceptable.”
Dr. Paryani is grateful to be able to ease some patients’ financial concerns.
“I have this blessing where, if a patient comes to me, I can say, ‘I have a dedicated financial care team that helps you,’” he explained. “We have some amazing partners in the community that have really helped us with being able to direct our resources to patients.”
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One of those community partners is the nonprofit 1 of Us.
“Our mission is to support women going through breast and gynecological cancer treatments,” stated Nesha Daubenspeck, executive director of the nonprofit. “We pay their rent, utilities, gas, groceries, transportation to and from, childcare and other things – basically any barrier that would keep them from going to their treatment,” she said, adding that this type of help can spare women from an impossible dilemma.
“They’re really having to make the choice: ‘Do I stay at home, go to work and take care of my family, or can I get myself to treatment?’” she said. “It’s an awful decision to make, and no woman should ever have to make that decision. You want to take care of your family first, but, in reality, you have to take care of yourself first so you can be there for your family.”
The founder of 1 of Us is a breast cancer survivor who was inspired to start the nonprofit when she saw so many fellow patients struggling to make ends meet. In the past 15 years, 1 of Us has helped more than 5,700 cancer patients and their families across North Carolina.
“It’s a sign of hope,” Daubenspeck said. “You’re not alone; you don’t have to do this alone. We are here for you; we are going to hold your hand.”
During her appointment at Duke, Ortiz received some much-needed financial assistance, while getting her chemotherapy.
“Every little bit helps me out a lot,” Ortiz said. “That’s one less thing I have to worry about, so I can focus on getting better, my health and things I need to do.”
“I have grandkids I have to live for. I have kids I have to live for,” she continued. “I can’t give up. I have to keep going.”
She appreciates the help she receives, and she tries to encourage others fighting similar battles.
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“I do everything I can to help other women going through this and tell them, ‘It will get better; don’t give up the fight,’” she said.
Ortiz knows that fighting cancer takes a community, and she is thankful for everyone beside her in the battle.
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“I’m just grateful,” she said. “Grateful for it all, grateful to still be here.”