Aug. 23 event to help 27-year-old with inoperable tumor on optic nerve

CAMPBELL

In less than 24 hours, Kevina Koval will start 10 months’ worth of weekly chemotherapy sessions to treat the inoperable tumor that has grown onto her optic nerve.

The 27-year-old Campbell woman was supposed to start treatment last week, but the port that had been installed just a day before wouldn’t work.

It was inverted — something that “usually never, ever happens,” Koval remembers her doctors saying. So, she went back to surgery.

Koval also is dealing with the deterioration of her vision, which began about eight months ago. She can see only straight ahead.

In spite of everything, Koval said she feels blessed. She’s not enduring this fight alone.

“I’m scared, but I know I have to do this,” she explained. “I have a lot of support from people. They’re helping me to get through this.”

A support group on Facebook boasts 1,118 members.

In just a month, a total of $1,820, all of which will go toward Koval’s medical and travel expenses, has been donated to a GoFundMe.com campaign created on her behalf.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 23, Push for Kevina, another fundraising event, will take place at St. Joseph the Provider Hall, 633 Porter Ave.

Read more about the event, and Kevina's battle in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.