Sasha tried multiple treatments: dual immunotherapy, radiation, and eventually traveled to Germany for chemosaturation and chemoembolization, all financed in part through a crowdfunding campaign. Accessing care beyond what was offered locally required advocacy, persistence, and the courage to question even trusted doctors.

At one point, Sasha’s immunotherapy was discontinued in Finland. Frustrated but determined, she sought opinions from experts in France and Germany, who confirmed she should’ve stayed on treatment. Thanks to crowdfunding and her research, she continued privately funded therapy, which she still receives every other week.

Living with stage 4 ocular melanoma isn’t just a medical ordeal, as it affects every corner of Sasha’s life. From the limitations of monocular vision that challenge her work as a visual artist to the difficult reality of not being able to plan for a family, the impact is personal and profound. Through it all, she emphasizes the importance of mental health. The hardest part isn’t always the physical treatment — it’s the emotional weight of knowing the disease may never go away.

Sasha’s story is a powerful reminder that self-advocacy saves lives, mental health deserves more attention, and financial support can be life-extending. Her voice is strong, real, and deeply needed in conversations around disability, rare cancer, and patient empowerment.

Watch Sasha’s interview to find out more about her story:

• How a black curtain over her eye changed everything.
• Why she had to erase any reminder of the day she lost her eye.
• The emotional cost of rare cancer and how she’s coping.
• Why she stopped making long-term plans.
• One simple piece of advice she believes every patient must hear.