Here are some of the stories of the people we have helped so far.
ANNA, 24
"I had everything I could ever wish for.
I had just been accepted into my dream program, the nursing line at Ersta Hospital, had a nice new apartment in Hornstull, started dating an amazing guy, met a lot of new people, partied and all of that. Finally, I had found a group of people I could identify with - everyone belonged, and everyone fitted in.
The exam week was chaotic. I thought I had a stomach ulcer, the symptoms matched exactly, and I've previously had it when I've been stressed. I worked extra at H&M where I struggled, and it just got worse and worse. One day I vomited at home before work and my boyfriend advised me to go to the emergency room to find out what the problem was.
They found multiple metastases in the liver and two smaller ones in one of my lungs. I was put on chemo immediately. They weren't sure where it came from. Now, 26 treatments later, the cytostatic is no longer working and I'm most likely sterile. But I have done extra biopsies here that have been sent to Cambridge and Helsinki for analysis. This may be my golden ticket, but we don't know. I still have a cloud of death hovering above me. I'm currently being treated with Immunotherapy along with targeted cell toxins I take in tablet form every day and my tumour markers have now pointed downwards (knock on wood). But I have spread gallbladder cancer, so I will probably never be cured..."
ARMIN,22
A year ago, Armin had just turned 21, had a job he loved, socialized with friends and played computer games in his spare time. Just like any 21-year-old. Life had just begun.
In December, Armin sought emergency care for shoulder pain and was sent home with pain tablets. Two months went by and he got worse, lost weight, slept more and had to go on sick leave from his work as a machine operator since his joints were so swollen that he couldn't complete the job. Once again, he was sent home with pain tablets. Eventually, the family went to the emergency room with him as he was totally impaired. After one week, Armin found out he had cancerous cells in his liver and after another week he was told that he had intrahepatic gallbladder cancer with metastases in the liver. He was put on palliative care.
Armin's sister Irma started a fundraiser to send her brother to Germany for treatment, as his type of cancer isn't treated in Sweden. He received two treatments in Germany before the money ran out, from then on his journey has continued in Sweden. In Sweden, the same type of treatment Armin received in Germany is available, but only for patients with liver cancer. The family applied for this treatment, which has shown good results even for Armin's type of cancer. They got rejected and today Armin is treated palliatively with systematic cell toxins.
Armin and his family are doing everything to get the care that exists, but like many others in Sweden, they feel the health care has its shortcomings.
One of the goals is to participate in research studies to increase the chance of survival. Armin is a real fighter. He spends time with friends, his girlfriend and tries to be positive despite all the awfulness he goes through.
Armin, we think you are fantastic. We are full of admiration for everything you can handle.
It is tough to be seriously ill in today's society, the demands of those affected are high. You'd have to be very healthy just to manage being sick. Therefore, it is important for those of us who are in good health to do what we can to help our fellow human beings who do not share the same luck.
OLIVER, 23
"It has been an emotional 2018. My wonderful son came to the world with joy and love. But everything came crashing down again by a cancer diagnosis.
In the spring of 2018, I felt a worry creeping in, I felt powerless and weak in a way I did not recognize. Then I discovered a lump in my throat and sought care, samples were taken, and I was told that there was nothing to worry about. I began to feel even worse and could barely stand up. I worked outdoors in the heat and kept going every day. When my son was born in June, I could barely carry him.
As I continued to feel worse, I contacted the healthcare provider again and told them they have to check this up, something is not right. My concern was justified, the lump turned out to be a malignant cancerous tumour.
The diagnosis became a salivary gland cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes. On the first of October, the tumour was removed. Skilled surgeons managed to remove the tumour without cutting off the facial nerve, which would otherwise have resulted in paralysis of the eye, nose and mouth. After the operation, radiation therapy awaited, first two weeks in Uppsala and then five weeks in Lund. The side effects of the radiation have sometimes been severe. Fatigue takes over, burns in the mouth and throat make it almost impossible for me to eat. I struggle to get out and do my daily walk, the fatigue is extreme. I really didn't think this could happen to a 23-year-old.
I will continue to fight and do everything in my power to one day stand on my feet like before I got sick.
Ending up in a situation like this is tough, all the feelings and thoughts in the wait for information, when you are informed and thoughts about the future, and in the process your economy is ruined when you are on sick leave for so long. That there are charities like the Alexander Foundation facilitates for many families. I want to thank you for the help we have received and hope that many people support the Alexander Fund to help others in the same situation as mine."
What we do
The Alexanderfoundation focuses on improving the quality of life for young adults who are hospitalized through social and financial support.
