Help Kids in Ukraine in Time of War

Dear Friends,

Thank you for being there for children in Ukraine in the fifth year of full-scale war.

One-year-old Romchyk is one of them.

He cannot tell you his story yet, so today we would like to tell it for him.

His family is from Izium in eastern Ukraine, a city that endured months of Russian occupation and massive destruction. Even after liberation, families there continue to live with the consequences of war.

And in the middle of all this uncertainty came another frightening reality: Romchyk was diagnosed with cancer.

He underwent treatment at the National Cancer Institute in Kyiv with his mother by his side. And then came the moment they had all been waiting for: Romchyk could go home.

At the hospital, we installed a bell for children to ring when they leave after treatment.

For someone passing by, it may be just the sound of a bell. For a family that has lived through hospital rooms, examinations, procedures, fear and waiting, it means something much bigger:

"I’m going home." 

And Romchyk rang it. 

His mother hopes their story can give courage to another family hearing a frightening diagnosis today:

"I want parents to know that a cancer diagnosis is not the end. It can be treated. You have to believe, fight and never give up."

Romchyk will still need regular examinations and follow-up care. But today, he is home with his mother, his siblings, and the ordinary little things that should fill a one-year-old’s world.

In recent months, we provided individual medical assistance to 65 children with serious health needs, in addition to supporting hospitals directly.

Romchyk is one of many children whose illness does not pause for war.

Your support helps make sure the care they need can continue.

If you can, please make a gift today. It will help us be there for the next child and family who need medicines, treatment or other urgent support – and help bring them closer to the moment they have been waiting for:

the moment when they can ring that bell, too.