It’s been almost two months since the Maitland community rallied to raise thousands of dollars to help keep Lauren Koppers alive.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On August 30, and the following weeks, Dr Koppers’ friends and family joined forces to come up with the money needed – more than $14,000 – for the young mother to access a cancer-blocking medication as she faced her fourth battle with the disease.
Now, in her own words, Dr Koppers, 28, has issued a thank you to the people of Maitland as she continues her fight.
In a letter to the Mercury, Dr Koppers reflects on her battle with cancer.
“Only three-and-a-half years after settling into my new home [in Maitland], I was diagnosed with cancer,” she wrote.
“My family and I were devastated, scared and in complete disarray, but we were never alone. We were immediately comforted and carried on the shoulders of our Maitland family, helping us to continue fighting, despite the many hurdles we faced.
“Every time we fell down again with news that the cancer had returned, our community picked us back up and carried us through. We came out the other side, thanks to them.”
A decade later, Dr Koppers faces her toughest battle yet as her condition has become terminal.
“I have been blessed with an amazing husband (Adam) and two beautiful boys (twins Charlie and Elijah) who are my world,” Dr Koppers wrote.
“The money that has been raised will go towards my current and future medication costs.
“While this treatment is not life saving, its aim is to prolong my life, give me a better quality of life, and allow extra time for me to spend with my husband and two boys.
“I have always been optimistic in my outlook, so I would also like to suggest that the money raised will go towards medications that will see me through until a cure is found.
“For this, my family and I are forever grateful and cannot even begin to comprehend how selfless, kind and compassionate people have been.”
Dr Koppers was diagnosed with lymphoma when she was 13 and after undergoing treatment went into remission.
Shortly after she relapsed and a stem cell transplant was needed to save her life.
Initially, Dr Koppers responded well to the transplant and further treatment, but the cancer returned and this time she faced a 25 per cent chance of dying during the transplant.
However it was hailed a success.
The disease returned, in the form of breast cancer, in 2012.
“For myself, and the many, many others in a similar situation, I pray that we can hold on until a cure is found and it will be found,” Dr Koppers wrote.
“Until this time, I thank God for the wonderful people that have
surrounded me throughout my life and I can only hope my children grow up to know such love and support.”