Life-Saving Treatment for Kids in Ukraine

Dear friends,

thank you so much for supporting Ukrainian kids with cancer.

This 18-year-old guy you see in the picture is Kolia. His dream was to become a soccer player. He was a very dedicated player who worked very hard during training. But a year ago his world shattered. He felt pain and it seemed that he got injured. The guy lived in a small village where the doctors had limited medical equipment, so they suspected muscle pull and warmed it up. They didn’t know it was cancer and how bad it was to warm a tumor. When the correct diagnosis was made it was clear that his soccer career was over.

During a year of treatment Kolia had a surgery to remove the tumor, then chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Zaporuka Foundation helped the family all the time with medicines and medical supplies that were not available at the hospital. Kolia’s mother had to quit her job in order to be with her son and the father worked in the village and with his small salary he couldn’t afford to pay medical bills. When the guy returned home he tried to start a new life and to accept that he couldn’t play soccer any more. His family and friends supported him.

From time to time Kolia came to Kyiv for follow-up visits and he got free accommodation at the Center for Children Affected by Cancer Dacha operated by Zaporuka. Unfortunately, during one of such visits metastases in the lungs were detected and Kolia had to start chemotherapy all over again. It was a moment of personal crisis because Kolia’s girlfriend dumped him at the same time. The guy even wanted to let it go and to do nothing. His mom tried to persuade him. Also he spoke with Zaporuka’s psychologist and she found the right words for him. In spite of everything life is worth fighting for. Now Kolia has a new dream: to become a coach of a soccer team and to win with it. But first he has to win over his disease.

Thank you for helping us to help making dreams come true!