Woman Saved By Treatment

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday August 23, 2006

The Age

AT her lowest point Kathy Levanic, 40, decided to take her chances in a lottery with the highest stakes.

Diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and facing a $75,000 bill for a drug that could potentially save her life, but financially cripple her family, she resigned herself to a drawn-out battle with the disease.

But family and friends would not let her trade her life so cheaply. In a matter of months they raised more than $40,000 and after a lumpectomy, the removal of one breast, and chemotherapy she began taking Herceptin.

With six $4200 treatments left, the mother of two was preparing to remortgage her Hallam home in suburban Melbourne until yesterday's decision to list the drug on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from October. Mrs Levanic calculates it will save her and husband Joe $17,000.

"I'm celebrating and I'll celebrate for all the other women out there who couldn't afford it."

The Age

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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