GoFundMe helping Vernon woman with rare cancer complications

Feb 22, 2022 | 11:45 AM

An online fundraiser has been launched to support a Vernon woman who may need lifelong treatment for complications from cancer.

The GoFundMe page Support Karina’s Cancer Fight was launched on behalf of Karina McDonald, who sought medical attention in the fall of 2021 when her stomach was distended, causing intense pain.

Doctors discovered McDonald had a growth in her stomach, and in November it was surgically removed.

However, the doctors discovered the growth was attached to the appendix, which had burst, and along with removing it they needed to remove one of her ovaries.

The GoFundMe states that when the pathology came back, McDonald learned that she had rare low grade appendicial micinous neoplasm (LAMN), which are a group of low-grade tumors that require surgical treatment. The LAMN also led to pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), which is a rare malignant growth.

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The online fundraiser states that the 39-year-old McDonald will require comprehensive cancer treatments including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery, which involves surgically removing cancerous tumors and then applying heated chemotherapy drugs inside the abdomen. She will also require a major surgery to remove her other ovary and possibly her spleen and some bowel.

Though she will have to undergo these procedures, it does not rule out the need for future chemo treatments or surgery.

The goal for the fundraiser in support of McDonald and her family has been set at $30,000. As of time of publication, the GoFundMe has collected $16,525 from 100 donors.

The fund is organized by McDonald’s friend Cori Doorman.

by Liam Verster

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