Help Kids in Ukraine in Time of War

Dear Friends,

Thank you for supporting children in wartime Ukraine!

One of them is Zakhar from Sumy, a city near Ukraine’s eastern border that endured a siege in 2022 and now faces near-daily attacks. 

At 11, Zakhar dreamed of becoming a soccer player, spending endless hours kicking a ball with friends, full of energy and determination. Then, everything changed. Doctors diagnosed him with bone cancer, forcing him to leave behind his favorite game, his friends, and his home to fight for his life. That’s when we met him six months ago at the hospital in Kyiv.

Even during treatment, Zakhar lifted the spirits of those around him. Our psychologists remember how easily he connected with other children, playing and helping them forget their pain. He loved painting, often filling his artwork with symbols of Ukraine. He followed the news closely, worried about his father serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and cherished every phone call from him. Despite everything he was going through, he never stopped thinking about his little sister, always preparing small gifts to send home.

Zakhar bravely endured chemotherapy, surgery, and a long recovery process, supported by Zaporuka’s dedicated physical therapists.

Children battling serious illnesses—especially in the midst of war—need a strong support system. Your generosity makes that possible. With his mother, doctors, nurses, psychologists, physical therapists, volunteers—and you—by his side, Zakhar found the strength to keep fighting.

Now, he is home, reunited with his sister, his friends, and the homemade pastries his grandmother always made for him—waiting for the day his father returns. While we miss him, we are overjoyed that he can finally live without pain and dream of the future again.

Thank you for bringing hope and healing to children in Ukraine.

P.S. Donate now to help more children like Zakhar through GlobalGiving’s Together for Ukraine matching campaign!