In Wells, Somerset, a Ukrainian woman’s heartfelt fundraising campaign has captured widespread support as she seeks urgent medical treatment for her mother battling ovarian cancer.
Siiara Nakhmetova is raising funds for life-saving surgery for her mother, Fatima, whose ovarian cancer has reached a critical stage after nearly 15 years of continuous treatment. The family’s fundraising efforts on GoFundMe have already garnered over £6,000, with generous donations reaching up to £1,000 from compassionate supporters.
Despite this generosity, Siiara aims to raise £20,000 to cover a specialized operation in Turkey—the only option left to extend Fatima’s life and ease her suffering. The family has already invested thousands into previous treatments, including surgeries, chemotherapy, scans, and travel expenses.
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Siiara shares, “My mum is truly the heart of our family. She is the kindest, most empathetic, and selfless person you could ever meet.” She adds, “Even while battling pain, she has always been there to help others and finds joy in the smallest moments.”
Confronting the difficulty of asking for help, Siiara says, “I never imagined I would write this, but I will do anything to save her and give her more precious time with us. She deserves every chance to keep fighting.”
Originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine, the family privately funded Fatima’s care, including extensive consultations that cost more than £15,000. After exhausting options in the UK, they discovered a surgeon in Turkey willing to perform a high-risk debulking surgery aimed at reducing tumour mass and alleviating severe abdominal pain caused by tumour growth and organ compression.
Last week, Fatima underwent an eight-hour operation in Turkey, which Siiara describes as successful, with her mother now closely monitored post-surgery. However, the family faces ongoing financial challenges and hopes the community will continue supporting the GoFundMe campaign.
Siiara’s sibling, Arzu, a taxi driver from Shepton Mallet, has also publicly appealed for support, emphasizing the family’s struggle and the urgent need to secure Fatima’s recovery.
“This fight is far from over,” Siiara says. “Any donation, no matter how small, brings hope. If you can’t donate, sharing our story means the world to us.”