The fight to save the life of a young Kitchener, Ont. woman has come to a sad end. Noor Ayesha died Sunday after battling the rare and deadly cholangiocarcinoma, better known as bile duct cancer.
The 26-year-old gave birth in February 2023, shortly after her Stage 4 diagnosis. Ayesha had hoped to extend her life so she could spend as much time as possible with her baby daughter. A drug, called Pemigatinib and sold under the brand name Pemazyre, was key to achieving that.
As it wasn’t covered in Ontario, the community rallied to help cover the drug’s $15,000 per month price tag. “She was able to access Pemigatinib, and it did work for her, through the months of May to September,” explained Ayesha’s oncologist Dr. Andrea Molckovsky.
“It was really great to see the community come together for Noor [and meet] people who dropped off cheques for the GoFundMe,” she told CTV News, through tears. Molckovsky was overwhelmed by the community support and push to get Pemigatinib funded in Ontario. That effort, and the drug it helped pay for, allowed Ayesha to go on adventures, like jet skiing, and spend precious time with her family.
Noor Ayesha, her husband Hossain Mohammed and their daughter. (Courtesy: Hossain Mohammed) The drug eventually stopped working for Ayesha, due to her advanced stage cancer. Her husband, Hossain Mohammed, spoke with CTV News on day of her funeral.
“Proud of you, my wife. I’m really missing you,” he said. Hope for the future Just last month,.
