A star of the reality show The Voice has suffered a “health crisis that nearly claimed her life” as she bravely battles liver cancer.
Karina Zeviani, who previously opened shows for Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, has turned to social media to fund her ongoing cancer treatment.
The 51-year-old, who participated in The Voice Brasil in 2020, has been battling liver cancer for two years.
READ MORE: Gladiators fan favourite Gold dies aged 60 after battle with cancer
The singer revealed that the disease worsened in January, leading to a severe systemic crisis in which she came close to losing her life.
She was hospitalised for over three weeks in April after a liver biopsy complication led to internal bleeding and emergency surgery.
Karina, who comes from Jaboticabal in São Paulo State, has experienced extreme physical changes, with her weight fluctuating between 12 stone 13 lbs (82kg) due to swelling and 8st 7lb (54kg) following significant muscle loss.
She is now on a new chemotherapy protocol and said she is slowly recovering, although she left hospital so weak she needed help to stand.
She remains “fragile” and in need of continuous, high-cost monitoring.
Karina, who performed as a vocalist for the US duo Thievery Corporation, has launched an online crowdfunding appeal to cover costs.
The funds are needed for continuous medication, drugs to manage chemotherapy side effects, specialised hyperprotein formula, vitamins, supplements and extra protein sources.
She stressed the appeal was genuine, telling her followers: “It’s not a scam… I am really going through this.
“Not long ago I really had a very serious systemic crisis, in which I came very close to losing my life, but now I am already on a new chemotherapy protocol.
“I am very grateful to be alive.”
Karina also requires regular appointments with an oncologist, nutrologist, oncology nutritionist and psychiatrist.
She has to travel over 300 miles to São Paulo for treatment and sessions with a personal trainer and therapist.
Monthly treatment expenses are understood to average around £1,176 (BRL 8,000).
She said: “I am very willing and ready to overcome this disease, to control this disease, and I already consider myself a winner.”
Karina pinned the crowdfunding link in her Instagram comments, where supporters can see a full breakdown of expenses managed by close family members.
During her run on The Voice Brasil, she impressed in the blind auditions with the song ‘Sonhos’, as reported by Need To Know.
Karina joined coach Carlinhos Brown’s team before being eliminated in the battle rounds.
READ MORE: Bomb scare days before Shakira’s mega beach gig as cops find explosive device
