Anna-Maria Toby drawing on faith and community

For five years, Anna-Maria Toby has been battling stage-4 breast cancer, a diagnosis she never imagined would become her own. Now, following further progression of the disease, the communications professional is urgently seeking $7 million for specialised radiation therapy in Florida through fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe campaign, in hopes of getting another chance to fight the disease.

What began with the discovery of a lump during a routine medical examination has unfolded into years of treatment, mounting financial strain and life-threatening complications. Yet, despite the setbacks, Toby has refused to surrender hope. The targeted radiation therapy, which she said is unavailable locally, has been recommended by her radiation oncologist, who believes the approach could offer a chance at remission based on her previous responses to treatment.

“The most critical step is to get the targeted radiation therapy. Everything else is secondary,” she told The Sunday Gleaner.

Although her health insurance has not been exhausted, Toby has already utilised most of her available coverage for a second time. More pressing, however, is the requirement to pay for the proposed treatment upfront before securing a date. While insurance may help her recover some of the expenses, she must first raise the funds needed to begin treatment.

Every note had a purpose

Last Sunday, the microphone became more than a source of entertainment as family, friends and supporters gathered for Anna’s Kicking Ass Karaoke Fundraiser aimed at helping Toby access the treatment she needs. But beyond the music and laughter was a woman deeply grateful for those who had stood beside her through years of uncertainty, setbacks and financial strain.

“It was the second time I was coming to the same people for help. It made me so uncomfortable because every dollar that someone gives to me, they deny something for themselves,” Toby shared.

“Beyond that, I wanted to celebrate and thank the people who have nurtured and supported me in so many ways, and I thought a karaoke mingle would be a way that everyone could enjoy.”

The afternoon featured karaoke, food, giveaways and a fireside chat during which Toby shared the realities of her journey. “I enjoyed the fireside chat most of all because through it I was able to explain to people the trajectory that took us to where we were. Beyond that, I loved the fact that everyone was having such a great time, from the karaoke to the food to the giveaways. I’d say the event sell off,” she recalled.

The fundraiser received support from corporate partners Lithographic Printers, National Rums, Livewireact, Visual Tech and TriniYaad. Toby also expressed special appreciation to the National Commercial Bank (NCB) team for its continued support in every way throughout her journey.

“It is overwhelming to see how many people care and are so invested in one person’s outcome. When I ask why, I’m constantly told I’ve been good to people too. But I believe that it is also an extra-large serving of God’s grace and favour that has made people respond this way. I am thankful and will be paying it forward,” she said.

When life took an unexpected turn

Before her diagnosis, Toby enjoyed a fulfilling career in communications, marketing and consultancy, including work with the Pension Industry Association of Jamaica and the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative. A mother to daughter Laurie-Anne Rowe, Toby also balanced her professional responsibilities with 17 years of caregiving while making time for family, friends and weekly kalooki gatherings.

Her cancer journey began when a sizeable lump was discovered during a medical examination required for a position at NCB. However, overwhelmed by fear and consumed by the demands of everyday living, work and caregiving, she did not immediately pursue further medical attention.

Toby emphasised that the delay was never a conscious decision. Rather, she was paralysed by fear while navigating the responsibilities of family and daily life.

Three months later, after noticing the lump again, two longtime friends, Dr Saphire Longmore and Saffrey Brown, stepped in to help her confront the frightening possibility of cancer.

They arranged appointments, helped finance screenings, selected doctors and supported her as she broke the news to her family, including her daughter.

“Without them, I probably [would] not be here today,” Toby admitted.

For the first two and a half years, treatment every three weeks kept her condition relatively stable, allowing her to continue working and enjoying life. Some people even assumed she was in remission, although that was never the case.

However, the mounting cost of treatment eventually placed considerable pressure on her finances and insurance coverage. At one stage, a single medication cost approximately $475,000 every three weeks, excluding blood tests, scans and other expenses. After paying for two additional treatments herself, Toby experienced an interruption in care, followed by further progression of the disease.

Doctors subsequently recommended another medication costing approximately $1.5 million every three weeks, but a relative helped source an oncologist-approved biosimilar, reducing the projected cost of six treatments from $9 million to $2.5 million.

Family and friends rallied to raise the money, but serious complications followed. Toby experienced severe chills and shaking during treatment, later requiring emergency medical attention. An infected chemotherapy port was eventually removed, while scans revealed further cancer progression, necessitating another change in treatment.

The medication purchased through donations could no longer be used, and she now hopes it can benefit another patient through appropriate medical channels.

A village behind her

Through every setback, Toby has found strength in a network of relatives and friends who have supported her financially, physically and emotionally. She credits her uncles, Vincent Chen and David Toby, with helping finance treatment, while her aunt Helen Chen, Saffrey Brown, Beth Lopez and members of her book club have accompanied her to appointments and supported her recovery. Her aunt Nicole Toby and cousin Nicola Barnshaw have provided nutritional guidance, while Judy and Daniel Schweitzer cared for her during months of treatment away from home.

The experience has also transformed her outlook on life.

“For me, I am now in overtime. What are the things that matter? My family, my friends, my community and of course my spiritual journey,” she reflected. “It therefore means that you do all that you can to live in accordance with your values so that you leave the world in a better place than you found it.”

‘Don’t lose hope’

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, Toby hopes her experience will encourage women to prioritise recommended screenings and seek medical advice, while reminding those facing similar diagnoses that hope remains important.

“Don’t lose hope. No matter the diagnosis, this is the earliest you will get it. Focus on that. You have access to the best options for treatment thanks to the research and development undertaken over the years. Focus on that,” she urged. “Your mindset and movement matter as much as your medicine. Don’t give up. The world needs the gift of you.”

For Toby, the road ahead remains uncertain, but her determination has not wavered. Having spent five years fighting for her health, she is now hoping that the generosity of others will help her cover the upfront cost of specialised treatment and secure another opportunity to embrace the life she continues to fight for.

nyoka.manning@gleanerjm.com

Those wishing to support Anna-Maria Toby’s treatment can donate through the GoFundMe campaign, Help Anna Access Urgent Cancer Treatment in Florida, organised by Martina Toby. Visit:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-anna-access-urgent-cancer-treatment-in-florida-jcg33