21-year-old cancer patient plans to use her fight to encourage others

Francine Leitch a soon to be 21-year-old, Medical Technology student at the University of Guyana is using her fight with a rare cancer in her thoracic region to make a difference.

Francine just completed seven cycles of chemotherapy and lost all of her hair, but that will not stop her from accomplishing her dreams. She will fight the disease with every fibre of her being.

During an interview with her on Monday at the Oncology Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Francine credited her faith in God and the support of her parents, doctors and other well-wishers for her tremendous strength.

She recounted her near death experience where she lost all feelings in her abdominal region and was admitted to the hospital.

The cancer she was diagnosed with is rare, as it usually occurs in the ovaries of the female, however, for Francine it’s in the upper part of her thoracic region.

And how did Francine deal with the news of her cancer diagnosis? “I didn’t cry, I didn’t break down, I guess everything happened so fast,” she said.

She believes that mental health is very critical for the individual who is fighting cancer.

Francine says the next step for her is to give back to those persons who are still fighting cancer, she explains that “to have gone through that journey and not give back would be meaningless.”

When she returns to the University she plans to complete her degree in Medical technology and then branch off to Immunology which will coincide with her vision.

She encouraged those fighting cancer to never give up.

Look out for Francine’s full video story later today on News Room@facebook.com, at 7pm on E1 or on our website this evening newsroom.gy