COLLECTION FOR:

TTFields therapy (Optune) with adjuvant chemotherapy

Updates:

Updated on December 4, 2023. 

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for all the forms of support that I have experienced over the last few months - for all the kind words, willingness to take care of the children, prayers and keeping my fingers crossed for further MRIs. I am also grateful for the financial support that allows me to use Optune equipment. The therapy turns out to be effective – September MRI showed no changes. I will have another test in a few days - I deeply believe that the results will be equally positive.

I try to use the device as much as possible - my last one the result is 89% (the previous one was 85%), which is one of the best results among patients using Optune. I am very determined to fight to live. Luckily, I managed to wait until mine older son he went to kindergarten, younger son started his adventure with kindergarten, a doughter She turned a year old a few days ago. I admit that when I got to the hospital in January and found out what I would have to deal with, I didn't think I would be able to celebrate my daughter's first birthday, see her first steps, hear her first words...

Despite my illness, I try to lead a normal life. Every day I go to work, I take my sons to kindergarten, I go to football and robotics with my older son, and in the evenings I read books to my younger son and put my daughter to sleep. I soak up every moment with my loved ones.

And here I would like to ask you for support once again. The 5th month of Optune rental has just been paid. Unfortunately, the funds collected so far will only be enough for half a month of therapy. For the Foundation to be able to pay for the next month – until 25/12. we need to collect almost PLN 70,000… I would really like to be able to use the device again. Can you help me?

Updated on 28/07/2023.

First, the good news. An MRI performed in mid-May showed nothing
disturbing. This week I had another MRI. I'm waiting for results. I hope,
that they will be as good as the previous ones.

A few days ago, I finished the third cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy, which fortunately
I endured it quite well.

And finally, something that seemed impossible just a few months ago -
On July 25, I received an Optune device (TTFields)! I'm still getting used to it, but I'm getting used to it
I'm glad I've already started this therapy. With my type of glioma (glioblastoma multiforme 4.
degree), this is the only option that gives a chance to avoid or delay recurrence.

Now the less optimistic news... Unfortunately, the collection has stopped. Thanks to your generosity, we made it
collect approximately PLN 430,000. Unfortunately, the monthly cost of using Optune is approx
PLN 115,000. Therefore, the funds collected by the Rakiety Foundation and SiePomaga will be enough
less than 4 months of therapy…

The recommendation is that I wear the Optune device for at least two years... That makes a huge difference
sum of money. A huge price for life. But I can't help but try.

My younger son recently celebrated his second birthday and I can't imagine not having it
not live to see his next birthday... My older son lost his first baby teeth, my daughter
she started to get up. Every day, when I look at my children, I know that I have to find strength within myself
to fight. Therefore, I am asking you once again to help me in this fight. Each month of Optune therapy,
is worth its weight in gold to me. For the weight of life.

For everything you have done so far: for all the kind words, donations, shares,
auctions, collections, prayers - thank you very much.

Update of May 17, 2023.

I am so grateful for everything you have done for me and my family so far. I am surrounded by wonderful people. Thank you very much to all my friends and strangers who supported me not only financially, but also mentally, showing me that I am not alone in this difficult time.
On April 26, I finished radiotherapy and chemotherapy, now I am waiting to start the first cycle of complementary chemotherapy.
Unfortunately, our initial immunotherapy plan was brutally verified. Recruitment for the recently approved glioma vaccine has been suspended for at least several months, and I would have to restart it because the production of the vaccine requires frozen material collected from
from the removed tumor.

In turn, other immunotherapies have low chances of success in my case. Without giving up our plans for immunotherapy, we are looking for an alternative that will increase my chances here and now. After numerous consultations with many centers (including in Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, USA, Israel)
we decided to change the method of treatment. We want to try TTFields therapy (Optune device). The therapy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with relapsed and newly diagnosed glioma.

Unfortunately, clinical trials conducted in Poland are only for patients with recurrence, while clinical trials conducted in many centers in Europe require that the patient undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I don't fit in here or here...
I have two choices. The first step is to wait for the recurrence, hoping that this time it will be an operable tumor. Unfortunately, there is a risk that the tumor will appear in a place that will not allow complete removal, or that subsequent surgery will result in serious neurological deficits...

The second option is to start TTFields (Optune) therapy on your own. And this is where the problems begin. The monthly cost of therapy is PLN 120,000. The device must be worn for as long as possible, especially when combining TTFields therapy (Optune) with complementary chemotherapy, good prognosis is achieved.

My dream is to undertake such therapy, at least for a few months, so it is necessary to increase the collection amount. I would like to ask you to continue to be with us. Thanks to you, I hope that the impossible will become possible and I will be able to use TTFileds (Optune) therapy.

DREAM:

I'm Robert. I am 42 years old. I have three small children. I have a job I like. I have a passion –
football. Unfortunately, I also have malignant grade 4 glioma…

My world collapsed in mid-January. The headaches I had from time to time became worse
to the point where I could barely work and take care of my children. Finally the 16th
In January, I went for an MRI, returned home and had to wait for a consultation. But
I was taken to hospital that same night. It turned out that I had a four-centimeter tumor
in the left frontal lobe and so much brain swelling that, according to doctors, I might not survive
night. After two days, I was transferred to the hospital of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, where on January 30
the doctors performed a miracle and, despite the difficult location of the tumor, removed it completely. I was afraid
surgery, there was a high risk that I would have speech disorders and paresis, but fortunately, nothing
no such thing happened. I felt relieved. I thought the worst was over. Unfortunately, research
histopathology showed that I had a glioma. The worst possible – glioma
polymorphous 4th degree…Even with surgical treatment,
radiotherapy and chemotherapy statistics give me 15 months to live...

The MRI from March 2 shows a 5 mm change. It is not known whether this is a change
postoperative, remnant of the tumor, or perhaps a recurrence. I'm about to finish my standard studies
in the case of glioma, treatment – radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Then I have 6 months to wait
chemotherapy alone and... waiting for a recurrence. I can't come to terms with this. Me and my loved ones
We are constantly looking for other forms of treatment. I would like to benefit from immunotherapy, which
increases my chances of living longer. My case is being consulted in two clinics:
Immun-Onkologisches Zentrum in Cologne and Universitätsspital in Zurich. Unfortunately, no
Due to the choice of facility, treatment costs are huge and time is short. To therapy
it worked, I have to start treatment at the end of May. So I have money to raise
a month and a half.

I want to fight for myself. I want to do it for my children: Kornel, who is five years old
two-year-old Jeremi and five-month-old Nina. Every day, when I look at them, I find in
give yourself hope and strength to fight. My dream is to see them grow.
I have been trying to help others all my life. Today I need help myself. Help me sneak out
statistics – I still have so much to do…

Links to materials about Robert:

https://vod.tvp.pl/informacje-i-publicystyka,205/alarm-odcinki,274300/odcinek-1530,S01E1530,477998 (start 7 min.)

https://www.tvp.pl/regiony-tvp/regiony/poznan/reportaze/telekurier/wideo/28042023/69512848 (beginning 14 min.)

BANK TRANSFER DETAILS:

You can also support Robert by bank transfer:

Foundation account number: 52 1050 1025 1000 0090 3010 4252

Deposits in foreign currencies

USD: PL54 1050 1025 1000 0090 8058 1367

EUR: PL32 1050 1025 1000 0090 8058 1375

GBP: PL76 1050 1025 1000 0090 8058 1359

SWIFT code: INGBPLPW

Transfer title: Robert Pirosz

Recipient's details: Rakiety Oncological Foundation, al. Rzeczypospolitej 2/U-2, Warsaw

1,5%

KRS: 0000414091

Specific goal: Robert Pirosz