Joan Resta is a Filipina mother of two children. She shares her inspiring journey through breast cancer. She is the first patient in the UAE to receive Phesgo. It is a groundbreaking five-minute injection. She was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer in January 2020. Joan faced significant hurdles.
The diagnosis hit hard, especially as both she and her husband were unemployed. Her young children are aged just four and five. The uncertainty of their future loomed large. She was worried specially when she discovered that her insurance would not initially cover her treatment.
Hope arrived when she met Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi. He is the CEO of Burjeel Cancer Institute in Abu Dhabi. He helped Joan tap into Burjeel Medical City’s philanthropic resources. He connected her with various supportive organizations.
This assistance enabled her to receive treatment with Phesgo. It is a revolutionary injection that has changed the landscape of breast cancer care. This injection has reduced the lengthy IV infusions from five hours to a quick five-minute injection.
Phesgo was launched in the UAE in October 2020. It offers similar effectiveness to traditional IV treatments. It can be used alongside chemotherapy before or after surgery. So, it is a flexible option in treatment plans.
Joan’s experience is a testament to resilience. Now, four years after her diagnosis, she is slowly returning to her normal life. She hopes to motivate others facing similar struggles. Prof. Al Shamsi highlights that Phesgo streamlines treatment without compromising on effectiveness.
Phesgo provides patients like Joan with a quicker and more manageable option. Joan aspires for her story to inspire others. She aims to stay hopeful. She seeks the support she needs in her battle against cancer.
