Help Kaylan

Dear Friends,

Picture this: an 18-year-old young woman - in the upper 3% of her class, graduating with an IB Diploma and accepted into some of the top undergraduate honors engineering programs in the US and Scotland. She is standing on the precipice of her future, full of ideas and the ambition to be part of the solutions to the world's energy crisis. Then a blood test reveals she has a genetic marker that will lead to a life threating cancer diagnosis within the next 10 years if she doesn't take action now. This is the reality for Kaylan.

Kaylan is no ordinary 18-year-old. She is shy and awkward - unless she's showing off how rats make awesome pets. Sadly, she carries with her a genetic marker, BRCA1+, that puts her at a significantly higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Instead of visiting campuses, likely Purdue, Berkley, and Glasgow, Kaylan is mentally preparing for a double mastectomy and reconstruction.

Kaylan's genetics do not abide by the usual BRCA1 statistics. Women in her family developed cancer in their 20s! Moreover, her family's BRCA1 gene is Hormone-Receptive positive (HR+), meaning increased estrogen levels will hasten the onset of cancer.

National statistic: 26% of college freshman experience sexual assault during their first year. The #1 catalyst for breast and ovarian cancer for BRCA1+ women is pregnancy. Kaylan is entering the highest-risk period of her life. Should she become part of that statistic, she will be denied surgical removal of any malignancy and the chemotherapy required to save her life.

                                              The threat is real. The stakes are high. Her future is at risk.

We are reaching out to you on behalf of Kaylan. She needs our support to ensure she has access to the best surgeons and the best possible outcome from her surgeries. While most girls her age are shopping for prom dresses or planning summer trips with friends, Kaylan is mentally preparing for a life-altering surgery and its aftermath. The slightest miscalculation during surgery could have lifelong consequences, as her mother, a breast cancer survivor can attest. The recovery process is grueling and requires nursing aftercare.

Every dollar you donate will go directly toward helping Kaylan. It will help cover the cost of her surgeries, aftercare, and other expenses. With your help, Kaylan can focus on healing and recovery.

Whether you can donate $5 or $5000, every bit helps. If you cannot make a financial contribution, consider sharing our plea to family, friends, and your social network.

Your support can make a real difference in Kaylan's life. It can allow her to fight this battle with the resources she needs and provide much-needed peace of mind that she'll still afford to attend university. 

We thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion. Together, we can help Kaylan navigate this journey towards a healthier, brighter future.

Thank you for reading. We hope you will consider helping your fellow rat lover.