Sunny Carney, who has been blogging about NET/CS for a number of years–and who has written a book (The Sunny Side of Cancer) on her experiences as a patient with this form of cancer–is likely on her way to Switzerland as you read this. The plan was for her to leave Pittsburgh for Europe Friday morning.

She is going overseas for PRRT therapy–a form of radiation treatment that actually works on NETs.

Why can’t she get that treatment in the US since it has been available for a number of years in Europe? Because the approval process has only just begun in this country. You can sign up for a trial in Houston, Texas. Villanova is building the equipment necessary, but my understanding is they are not on-line yet. And not everyone who wants to get into a trial is accepted for it.

So Sunny has to fly to Switzerland. And she has to fly there on her own dime–and pay for the treatments and all her other expenses out of her own pocket as well. Because the therapy has not been approved in the US her insurance company won’t cover the costs.

Sunny’s family is not financially rich. People in the Pittsburgh area and sales of her book have helped her raise the money she needs. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote a story about her last week. The cost of the treatment runs $50-75,000 depending on a number of factors, including the current exchange rate.

I know what an ordeal getting from here to Boston was for Jane. It is only about a two-hour drive. A flight to Europe would have been a challenge beyond even her strength in those last months. Sunny knows that flight is going to be tough–but there is not

much choice about it.

She has three kids and a husband who clearly love her the way I loved Jane. And she loves them. She wants to be there for them for the long haul. Without this treatment there is vanishingly little chance of that.

So say a prayer for Sunny today. Say one for her tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next…until she comes home healthy.

And while you’re at it, say a prayer for all those with this disease who are out there looking for a cure. And say one for the doctors and the researchers who are doing the work to find a cure for this most complex of cancers.

If you are lucky enough to have some money, send a little to Sunny’s fund. The address to make a donation is:

Sunny Carney Carcinoid Cancer Fund
C/o S & T Bank
2190 Hulton Road
Verona, PA 15147

Or you can make a donation or buy the book from her website. This is one of those times where money may help grease the path for the desire expressed in those prayers.

Do what you can.