Community Corner

Community Raises Money for Local Battling Breast Cancer

Causes for Community Carlsbad (C3) made up of local and small businesses raised $1,900 to help Oceanside resident Nesha Cameron get naturopathic treatment at Vitalia Natural Medicine in Carlsbad.

Nesha Cameron, 38, is a single mom, with Stage III breast cancer, is unemployed, and living in Oceanside. Late last year, Causes for Community Carlsbad (C3) held a fundraiser to help Cameron receive naturopathic medicine treatments in conjunction with her chemo, making the chemo more effective and more tolerable. A member of the philanthropic group C3, Deb Ferraro, founder of Carlsbad Village Yoga and Fitness, was instrumental in getting $1,900 raised for Cameron.

Cameron tells Patch what it's like to be living with a cancer doctor's told her she'd die from, and what getting the donation means to her and her family.

Patch: Tell us about your battle with cancer.

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In October 2011 I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and I have been fighting for my life ever since, defying doctors’ opinions that I should be dead already. I am 38-years-old and a single mother of a beautiful 12-year-old girl. She is my reason for living and I need your help to continue my fight for life. I want to see her grow into a woman and teach her all the things I've learned.

I am currently having chemotherapy treatment at UCSD Cancer Center in Vista and am also seeking treatment at the Vitalia Natural Medicine Center in Carlsbad. The Vitalia Natural Medicine Center uses naturopathic medicine during chemotherapy which can greatly improve the outcomes and reduce the side effects of a considerably harsh treatment. Naturopathic treatment serves as an invaluable support during conventional cancer treatment but is not covered by insurance. This was the reason for Deb Ferraro getting involved to help with a fundraiser.

Find out what's happening in Carlsbadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch: What did it mean to you to get that donation?

It was invaluable as this treatment surely saved me from severe side effects when my Chemo protocol was tripled recently. I still have had no nausea and very little hair loss thanks to Vitalia!

Patch: What is next for you?

I will continue to get chemotherapy treatment and be seen at Vitalia until my cancer is in remission, which everyone previously told me would never happen and now that is looking very likely!

Patch: Anything else you want readers to know?

The power of prayer, positive thinking and family support has been life-saving in this journey to date. My family and I have literally witnessed modern day miracles.

More information on Causes for Community Carlsbad (C3) is available at: CarlsbadCauses.com


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