Life-Saving Treatment for Kids in Ukraine

Dear friends,

thank you for supporting Ukrainian kids with cancer in 2018!

It’s time to share with you the results of Zaporuka Foundation activities in the previous year. 161 children affected by cancer received individual assistance: 138 kids received medicines, medical supplies, medical materials, etc. which were not provided by the state and 23 children underwent examinations or treatment abroad that were not available in Ukraine. 529 rehabilitation sessions and 852 psychological consultations were provided for children by Zaporuka specialists. 132 activities for kids were organized by Zaporuka volunteers.

Ihnat is our “old” beneficiary. Seven years ago the boy was in treatment for cervical sarcoma of the forearm. Then Ihnat lived at the Dacha with his mom, completed treatment and only returned for regular checkups. As we usually do, we remained in contact with the family, asked them about Ihnat’s school life and celebrated with them all positive medical test results.

Unfortunately, after seven years Ihnat got hospitalized again at the National Cancer Institute. This time the tumor affected the pelvic bone and the boy’s leg had to be amputated. Thanks to the continuous psychological support the boy and his family were prepared for such a traumatic surgery. Later on, Ihnat started rehabilitation sessions because he needed to learn to maintain balance and to prevent distortion of the spine.

Now Ihnat receives chemo and tries to lead as active life as possible. He knows all the new movies going in the cinemas and is always willing to go to an exhibition or any other cultural or educational event. His classmates call him regularly and send him posters of support. Ihnat is looking forward to the summer because it will be the end of treatment and he will be able to fly in the aero tube – that’s was a birthday gift from his mom.    

Ihnat and kids like him get help thanks to your contributions. We hope that you will be there for our kids in 2019 too.

Dear friends,

thank you for supporting Ukrainian kids with cancer!

Today I would like to tell you about 11-year old Monika. Like it often happens, she got a correct diagnosis late. One day the girl got injured but pain passed quickly and the doctors didn’t pay much attention to it. Later complains were mistakenly attributed to viruses and other diseases. Eventually, a tumor was detected when the family went to Armenia to visit their relatives. Monika felt so much pain in the chest that they had to go to the hospital for an X-ray.

Immediately the family came back to Ukraine, to the National Cancer Institute. Here the diagnosis was made and the treatment was prescribed: a surgery to remove an affected part of the rib and chemo cycles. By that time, however, Monika couldn’t walk and had to stay in bed all the time. It was very hard for this active girl but, fortunately, there was a rehabilitation service at the hospital. It was launched by Zaporuka in 2009.

At the beginning, it was very painful for Monika even to put her socks on but she always said: “I would do it myself!” She was very determined to endure anything to be able to walk again. And thanks to many sessions with the physiotherapists, massages and exercises, now Monika can make her first steps with a walker. Her daddy to whom she is very close holds her, so that she could feel safe. At the same time, she receives chemotherapy as a result of which the tumor diminished significantly. The girl feels better and can have lessons with the teachers of the hospital school. She is curious and likes to learn something new.

Your donations make it possible for kids like Monika to get necessary medicines, medical materials, psychological support and rehabilitation. Thank you!