A Long Forest teenager has set up a gofundme to call on the community to aid his doctor mother in her own health battle.
Elena Litovski is a general practitioner of 15 years who up until recently was working in Tarneit.
Two years ago she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive metastatic eye cancer, uveal melanoma.
The mother of three’s said her treatment options are limited and aren’t all available in Victoria.
Dr Litovski has already traveled to the US for a procedure to save her eye, her immunotherapy is only partially covered by her insurance, and she hopes to continue hyperthermia treatment in Queensland.
“In total, I spend about $100,000 a year on treatment,” she said.
“While I could work, I paid for it myself… the therapy I’m doing now has many side effects and my health does not allow me to go to work.”
Dr Litovski said it’s her family that has kept her fighting her illness.
“It is a difficult physical and psychological state when you are sick with such a serious fatal disease,” she said.
“On the one hand, it’s hard, of course, when you have small children. On the other hand, there is someone to live and fight for. “
It was one of her children, 15-year-old Ivan, who also stepped up to fight for his mum.
He first tried to save his own money to help pay for her treatment, contributing $100, before turning to the internet to start a gofundme, which has amassed more than $16,000 of its $100,000 goal.
“I love my mother very much and I want her to be around us,” he said.
Details: www.gofundme.com/f/jh4g7a-a-beacon-of-hope-dr-elenas-battle-against-cancer
