Watch: ‘There Is A Life After This’ – Meet Corinne Pace, A Cancer Survivor Who Owes Her Childhood Battle To Puttinu Cares
“They’re the difference between an experience that I would not be able to talk about today to something that, nowadays, I barely even consider as a trauma.”
These were the incredible words Corinne Pace had to say about Puttinu Cares, 16 years on from her cancer survival story which was in large part made possible thanks to Malta’s beloved children’s cancer support group.
When she was just 12 years old, Corinne was diagnosed with cancer, a lymphoma which grew into swelling in her neck and required further treatment in the UK.
“At that time it was Dr Calvagna, God rest his soul,” Corinne, now in her late 20s, recounts, making reference to what were still the early days of Puttinu Cares. “Back in those days, Puttinu was still in its infancy, very few people knew about it.”
Despite these humble beginnings, Puttinu Cares still managed to help the Paces in their journey and battle against Corinne’s cancer. From helping them out in the travel arrangements to the expenses of renting a place in central London, the organisation was already showing signs of complete selflessness, even with their more limited resources.
“Anything you asked for, they’d try their best to give it to you,” Corinne smiled, visibly getting emotional looking back on Puttinu’s help with her and her family. “And I’m telling you, in those days, there wasn’t the awareness and budget of nowadays. And God knows how much of their own money they forked out.”
“The only suffering you have to endure is the chemotherapy and radiation,” Corinne continues, recounting how Puttinu not only focuses on the biggest expenses, but also on how to make the whole experience as smooth as possible.
“They try their hardest to fulfil all the requests of every boy and girl going through treatment, they find ways to fulfil these wishes,” the young woman continued, looking back at her own experience and how much better it was thanks to Puttinu Cares.
“For anyone going through, I would say don’t get discouraged, there is a future,” Corinne finished. “It doesn’t feel like there can be life after this, but I can say that there is. It’s been 16 years, and I thank God that I went through it and carried on with my life. You can get through this.”
Corinne’s is just one of many success stories that Puttinu Cares has had over the years… and stories like hers are possible thanks to events such as the massive annual fundraising marathons. This year’s edition will run on Good Friday, 29th March.
For individuals and smaller organisations who are also keen to help, please visit https://puttinucares.org/your-donation, call the Puttinu Cares donation lines, send a donation by text or bank transfer to:
Donation Lines:
5160 2007 – Eur10
5170 2006 – Eur15
5180 2008 – Eur25
5190 2062 – Eur50
SMS Donations:
5061 6499 – Eur1.16
5061 7380 – Eur2.33
5061 8939 – Eur6.99
5061 9225 – Eur11.65
HSBC Bank Transfer
Account number: 089077341001
IBAN: MT55MMEB44897000000089077341001
Swift Code: MMEBMTMT
Cheques can be made payable to Puttinu Cares
Address: Rainbow Ward, Level -1, Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, Msida, MSD 1234
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