Our fund is currently helping following patients under Treatment Abroad Program:
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Elena Sadikova from Moscow is 22 years old. She is a student at Moscow State University, majoring in journalism. Elena discovered she had the anemia after donating blood while on student exchange program in California. In June 2008, Elena went to a doctor due to fatigue and fever, and was sent to the Botkin Hospital in Moscow where additional test revealed that unfortunately she had acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). Elena was started on induction chemotherapy for month, and almost entire time she was in intensive care unit due to pneumonia and toxic infection. At the completion of therapy, Elena achieved remission. For the next year, she underwent 6 cycles of maintenance therapy and in July 2009 the treatment was over. In September 2009, the bone marrow analysis confirmed remission. Elena returned to her studies and had only visited doctors for scheduled examinations. Unfortunately, in March 2010 Elena relapsed. Further treatment requires bone marrow transplantation. Elena has a rare type of a chromosome, so the number of available donors for her is very limited, as is the number of clinics. Luckily, the clinic was found: Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in the U.S. has agreed to initiate the search among 17 possibly matching donors. However, the donor search followed by transplantation come at a cost: the clinic requires prepayment of $423,000. Please support Elena in her fight with leukemia!
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Elen Dilanyan is 4-year-old from Yerevan, Armenia. In March 2010, Elen got fever and started moaning when breathing. The parents went to the pediatrician who detected tumor in the right side of Elen’s abdomen. After subsequent CT scan, the doctors consented on neuroblastoma in the right retroperitoneal space with metastases in lymph nodes and liver. Elen was sent to the National Center of Oncology in Yerevan where after the biopsy she was diagnosed with the primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Elen completed a cycle of chemotherapy but was unable to complete the other two due to a weak immune system. The parents were advised to continue treatment abroad. Elen was taken to the Haim Sheba Medical Center in Israel where an examination revealed that PNET diagnosis was incorrect and she, in fact, had neuroblastoma. At this point, Elen is recommended to undergo intensive chemotherapy and surgery, followed by the autologous bone marrow transplantation. Please support Elen!
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Miroslava Petrinina is from Kharkiv, a city in Ukraine. Until she was 1, she seemed to develop like other babies: she sat down and got her first teeth right on schedule. She was only delayed with walking. Months were going by, but Miroslava never tried to get up and walk. Massage did not help either. Eventually, Miroslava’s pediatrician referred her for MRI scan - and the results were shocking. Mira had numerous brain lesions and hydrocephaly. To add to the stress, doctors’ opinions varied. The one thing they agreed on was that the tumor was inoperable. Then Miroslava parents heard of Helios Clinic in Germany where other Ukrainian kids with brain tumors were treated successfully. They followed their lead and brought Miroslava for a consultation to Berlin in January 2010. At the clinic, Miroslava was diagnosed with medulloblastoma. The treatment was started immediately and Miroslava is gradually improving. She already finished four cycles of chemotherapy and is now completing radiation therapy. Still, Miroslava needs to undergo six more cycles of chemotherapy, which will cost close to 30,000 euros. Please help Miroslava complete her treatment!
Video of Miroslava and Vanya Chernozub playing together.
August 25, 2010: Article about Miroslava was published in Argumenty I Fakty newspaper [Russian].
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Sergei Didukh is 19 years old. In 2001 he received a terrifying diagnosis: Ewing’s sarcoma of the lower third in his right thigh bone. He was treated in the oncology unit of the Russian’s Clinical Hospital in Moscow. In 2002, the treatment was completed but for 8 more years Sergei was regaining function in his leg. He underwent 15 surgeries: heart surgery, plastic surgery, and installation of endoprosthesis (bone replacement) among them. It seemed that terrible disease had been forgotten. Sergei left behind suffering from chemotherapy, multiple operations, anesthesia, and therapy with Elizarov’s device. But bad fortune had a “gift” for Sergei on his 18th birthday: a metastasis in his left shoulder bone. All Sergei’s dreams collapsed: he had to postpone college plans and forget about his favorite hobby, playing a guitar. He started treatment again; this time, at Petrov’s Oncology Research Center in St. Petersburg.
Since July 2009 the doctors have been fighting for Sergei’s life, but the tumor has not retreated yet. On May 27, 2010, Sergei’s arm was amputated. And just one month later, due to the endoprosthesis installed in 2002 was rejected by his body, the doctors had to amputate Sergei’s leg too. Fortunately, Sergei already recovered after surgeries and feels well. But now, Sergei needs two prosthetic limbs and a wheelchair to be able to move and take the trip to Moscow for initial consultation with a German prosthetic company, Otto Bock. Prostheses cost from 18,000 euros to 30,000 euros each.
Sergei and his mother live in a small northern settlement and have no one to support them: Sergei’s father has been absent from his live for 14 years now. Sergei’s mother cannot keep a permanent job due to constant trips for treatment. Sergei and his mother are asking for your support. Please support Sergei and help him return to normal life!
July 21, 2010: Thanks to the anonymous donor, the wheelchair was bought and Sergei and his mother traveled to Moscow where they are now waiting for their appointment for initial consultation with Otto Bock.
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Aleksey Skuratov from Krasnoyarsk is 34 years old. He graduated from Krasnoyarsk University and went on to the graduate school when in the year of 2000 he was diagnosed with gastric cancer. Since then he underwent 12 surgeries, multiple cycles of chemotherapy and radiation. But while fighting for his life literally every day, Aleksey continued to live a full life: he was working, traveling, and playing different types of sports.
In July 2008, after yet another surgery, doctors in Russia told Aleksey that they cannot help him anymore. But he didn’t give up. Thanks to friends’ support, he found the clinic in Germany which offered him treatment under the new protocol. He spent 10 months in a clinic in Munich, where he had three more surgeries, 12 cycles of chemo and… coma! Doctors were very pessimistic about Aleksey’s chances, but a month later, he regained consciousness and two weeks later he flew back to Russia, to his hometown to try to find money so he could continue his treatment in Germany.
He achieved his goal and upon his return, he underwent one more surgery to remove the tumor completely, but, unfortunately, it was not possible. The doctors now recommend Aleksey to continue the same regiment of chemotherapy which already showed good results: the main tumor got much smaller and metastases in lungs and liver are gone. Please support Aleksey on his way to the complete recovery. We need to help him raise about 40,000 euros.
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Kirill Vazhenin is 19 years old. In June 2003 he started complaining of chest pains and got fever. However, until October of that year, Kirill’s only therapy was antibiotics, despite progressively worsening condition. Then he finally had an x-ray that showed a large tumor in his mediastenum. Kirill was diagnosed with t-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma.
Afterwards, Kirill had chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. However, in January 2006 he had a relapse. He received bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor, but just seven months later, a second relapse occurred. Kirill had more chemotherapy and achieved remission. Again, it was short-lived, and in November 2007 relapse #3 was diagnosed. In 2008 Kirill traveled to Germany for surgery and further treatment. Unfortunately, in May 2010 he was diagnosed with the 4th relapse. At the end of June, Kirill and his mother will travel to Italy for a clinical trial with radioimmunotherapy (targeted therapy with radioactive antibodies). This trial worked very well for two of Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients, and we are hoping it will help Kirill get well too. Please support Kirill in his fight against cancer!
July 12, 2010: Kirill and his mother arrived in Napoli, Italy at the end of June. However, Kirill had issues with his liver and had to undergo biopsy. His liver condition is now improving, and he is planned to undergo a test injection of the drug next Monday, July 19.
July 19, 2010: Kirill will need to be hospitalized for two weeks for treatment of GVHD in his liver and skin.
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Elena Puchkova is a young woman from Belarus. In June 2008, she was diagnosed with stage III stomach cancer. After having her stomach removed and undergoing 6 cycles of chemotherapy, Elena was cancer free. Unfortunately, in just a few months, she was diagnosed with a relapse. She had more surgery and thermal chemotherapy in Minsk. However, this time her doctors only considered therapy as palliative, giving her no hope for living longer than a year. Elena has two children: a 16-year old daughter and a 6-year old son. She could not get resigned to the idea of not being around to see them grow. Elena started to look for treatment options in other countries. With help of US-based Harmony Life fund, Elena was able to go for treatment in Israel. In total, she is planned to undergo six cycles of chemotherapy with Erbitux. The cost of treatment will be $35,000. At this time, Elena only has enough money for one cycle of chemotherapy. Please help Elena receive the life-saving treatment she needs!
Please spread the word about Lena by forwarding a flyer.
July 18, 2010: After the first cycles of chemotherapy, Elena’s oncomarkers (tumor markers) are 3 times lower - which means Erbitux works! Her next visit to the hospital is scheduled for the end of July.
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Katya Larionova is almost 3, and already spent half of her life in the hospitals. Katya has a stage IV neuroblastoma. Since she could not get treatment in Ukraine, Katya and her mom traveled to Singapore, where Katya received a bone marrow transplant and achieved remission. However, neuroblastoma is a difficult type of cancer to treat, and up to 50% of patients relapse. Katya’s treating doctor recommended anti-relapse therapy with monoclonal antibodies that is currently available only in the U.S. The cost of this experimental treatment is $350,000. Please help Katya!
Dec 10, 2009: “Hello! I would like to share our good news. In November, Katya underwent the first full examination after the treatment for neuroblastoma and autologous BMT. We went to Singapore, to Katya’s treating doctor, for tests. He tested Katya and was happy to tell us results: the tests showed that she was in complete remission! Based on the blood test, it is now evident that the bone marrow engrafted. Even when it works at some 60%, it already does a good job producing erythorocytes, leukocytes and platelets. Katya’s hemoglobin count is not very good, so from time to time she receives blood transfusions. Once the bone marrow starts fully working, the transfusions will not longer be needed.
The whole body PET imaging showed that Katya has lesions in her liver, but they are inactive. These metastases were impossible to remove during surgery, so the doctor decided to destroy them with chemotherapy. We believe that they will never reactivate!
The next full examination is planned for the end of February - beginning of March. We are still hoping that Katya will be able to receive anti-relapse therapy, since she is at high risk for recurrence. We are trying hard to find the money and not waste precious time! We are very thankful to everyone who supports us and donates money for Katyusha! Thank you for your care!”
Alina, Katya’s mom
March 12, 2010: Katya was examined in Singapore. She is confirmed to be in remission! We are continuing raising funds for anti-relapse therapy. The children with stage IV neuroblastoma (Katya’s diagnosis) who undergo this procedure double their survival chances.
March 27, 2010: “Hello! I’d like to share our latest news about Katya’s health. In the beginning of March Katya went for a checkup in a clinic in Singapore. The day after our arrival, she had whole-body PET imaging. The results were good. After comparing images to the previous ones, her doctor concluded that there are no changes, and Katya’s body is cancer-free! The blood tests are also good. The doctor did not offer bone marrow biopsy because he felt extra procedures are unnecessary if there are no indicators of a relapse. So Katya’s remission is confirmed and we can now breathe easier. The next checkup is scheduled for the end of June - beginning of July. During the consultation, the doctor noted that Katya grew taller, became stronger and can now walk and run with confidence. She did not have tests for growth hormone and thyroid, because Katya grew taller, even if not much. Katya was happy to see the doctor and the nurse who always comes along with the doctor and who put Katya on IV lines. During our visit, the doctor gave Katya lots of little presents, which a little kid cannot refuse: kinder-surprises, chupa-chups, bubbles, crayons and a drawing pad, stickers with Mickey Mouse and princesses… Katya put all the treasures in her bag and was really happy! She is always the first to run to see doctor Lee because she knows she will not leave empty handed.
Doctor Lee said that the next time he will perform various tests, including PET and a biopsy, so that we know what to expect.
Katya is now at home already. She tolerated the long flights and time changes very well, although at times she would get tired and ask to carry her. Now she is already adapted again to the time change and enjoys seeing her girlfriends in the neighborhood.
We are continuing raising funds for anti-relapse therapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Clinic in New York. According to clinic’s data, those children with stage IV neuroblastoma who undergo this procedure significantly increase their survival chances!
We have one last leap to the full recovery! We are asking all caring people to help us raise the money! Katyusha can be a healthy girl, but we, adults, need to help her!”
Alina, Katya’s mom
May 15, 2010: The Russian America newspaper has published article about Katya.
May 27, 2010: At the end of June, Katya will travel to Singapore for another check-up. It will be a year since she underwent transplantation, so a series of tests will be performed.
July 12, 2010: Katya returned from Singapore. She is in remission!
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Irina Gavrisheva was growing up just like other kids until the age of 10. At 11, a simple surgery triggered a serious neuromuscular disease, myasthenia gravis. This autoimmune disorder causes progressive muscular fatigue. Within two years, Irina became unable to walk, and a year later, stopped breathing. Next, her heart stopped beating.
The two following years were an unending nightmare: long stays in intensive care, coma, artificial lung ventilation. Although Irina survived, she had to stay in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. But that was not the worst of her problems. Irina was diagnosed with invasive thymoma, a rare mediastinal tumor. It was considered inoperable and the only recommendation was a palliative therapy. Irina however refused to give up on herself: she fought for her right to lead a normal life. She became a volunteer and later a Board member of a charitable fund.
And then her life was put on hold by her disease once again: Irina’s joints started to degenerate. She underwent seven operations on one of her knee joints - without success. Her last hope was a visit to the University Clinic in Regensburg, Germany. It was quite a shock to discover that thymoma diagnosis was wrong! It meant Irina had a hope and could be treated. The second shock was that she needed a series of surgeries to replace her damaged joints. In July 2008, Irina had the first surgery on joints, and in April 2009 - the second. The last shock had to do with the reason for the bone degeneration: it was caused by a genetic mutation that led to excessive blood clotting interfering with supply of blood to organs and tissues, and their eventual demise. In September 2009, there was another unpleasant discovery - a rare form of arrhythmia due to a genetic heart defect. It meant Irina’s heart could stop at any moment.
Just ten years ago, Irina would be out of luck. Now, she has a risky but viable option: experimental open heart surgery to implant a defibrillator to help her heart re-start working if it stops. The cost of the operation is 18,000 euros. It is needed urgently - the surgery is scheduled for November 20.
November 14, 2009: We transferred $2,000 for Irina’s surgery. In addition, an anonymous donor agreed to foot the bill for Irina’s surgery and other treatment.
November 25, 2009: Irina underwent a successful surgery, and she is now recovering.
January 6, 2010: We are restarting fundraising for Irina. She has a serious post-operative complication, a pleurisy. We urgently need to raise 5,000 euros.
January 20, 2010: Latest news about Irina can be found in her friend’ s Live Journal.
January 27, 2010: “G-envelope” in St. Petersburg was able to collect 31,200 rubles (about $1,000) for Irina.
February 22, 2010: Irina is already at home. All the bills from the clinic were paid for. Unfortunately, she is still fighting post-operative complications. Irina is continuing therapy with antibiotics and other medications. Her pacemaker is working well.
May 27, 2010: Irina came to a clinic in Halle, Germany. The examination of her pacemaker revealed that one of the electrodes was infected. This caused the post-surgery complications Irina has been fighting. The electrode will have to be removed, cleared of infection and installed back. We are now waiting for bill estimates.
June 5, 2010: Unfortunately, Irina developed a pulmonary hemorrhage. The procedure on replacement of infected electrode and antibiotic treatment will require at least 15,000 Euro. Irina needs urgent help!
July 14, 2010: Irina was operated and the infected electrode was removed without damage to the lung. Irina spent 6 days in intensive care but now she feels better.
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Vanya Chernozub was diagnosed with a brain tumor, medulloblastoma, before he even turned 2. This type of tumor is highly malignant and aggressive, and the doctors in his native Ukraine were unable to help. Fortunately, Vanya was admitted for treatment to Helios clinic in Berlin, where he has been treated since April 2009. He has undergone chemotherapy and radiation and his condition improved. Vanya is starting to walk and feels much better. However, he still has more treatment ahead of him, since his tumor is still there, although it is much less active. Please support Vanya in his fight!
December 23, 2009: Argumenty i Fakty newspaper has published article about Vanya.
December 25, 2009: According to the MRI results, Vanya has a full remission! Both the metastasis and the tumor are no longer seen on the scans and are not accumulating contrast either. Now Vanya is getting maintenance therapy which is to last approximately 6 months. Vanya has also had a course of antibiotics treatment because there was an accumulation of E.coli bacteria in his tracheostoma and Vanya’s temperature was rising every now and then. The speech therapist is visiting Vanya three times a week training him to swallow so that the tracheostoma could be removed as soon as possible. Vanya is feeling well.
January 24, 2010: Vanya feels well. He now is taking an ergotherapy in addition to speech therapy, so that he can learn to crawl properly and then walk. Vanya really enjoyed the first visit to the therapist. He was so active that by the end of procedure, the therapist was even more tired than Vanya. On January 25th, Vanya will start the second cycle of maintenance therapy.
January 30, 2010: “Vanya received the first part of the second cycle of maintenance therapy. He will have an injection of Vincristine on February 2. Vanya feels well, his test results are good and his hair is growing back. The only problem is that tracheostomy has tested positive for an infection again and he continues inhalations with antibiotic. Vanya’s temperature is somewhat unstable. We were disconcerted by the news that Vanya can apparently hear much worse on his right ear than on the left. The doctors believe it could be a consequence of prior surgery to remove the tumor, which could have damaged the auditory nerve. Vanya is continuing classes with the speech pathologist and ergotherapist. It is hard to believe now that in March 2009 at Neurosurgery Institute in Kiev, Vanya was so weak that his hands were shaking, and in April 2009, the doctors in intensive care unit in Kherson were giving him no chances to live. Today he is a curious lively little boy who ties hard to catch up with kids his age and who makes his mother and doctors happy with new achievements every day. The ear, nose and throat specialist is planning to remove tracheostomy after the 4th cycle of chemotherapy, while ergotherapist is certain that Vanya will learn to walk. Vanya’s mom is asking everyone to pray for Vanya’s full recovery and is very grateful to everyone who is helping them. The treatment requires 6,000 euros more to be completed.”
Anya, volunteer
March 8, 2010: MRI scan results confirmed that Vanya was in remission. However, he was diagnosed with hearing loss and herpes infection in his eye.
March 8, 2010: “I will begin with the good news: MRI results as of March 4 confirmed remission! Now to the bad news… Today Vanya was examined by an otolaryngologist and ophthalmologist. The otolaryngologist told us that Vanya’s hearing on the left ear was 100%, but he couldn’t hear anything with his right ear… Once the main treatment is completed, the doctors will examine Vanya’s right ear and determine whether an implant would help to restore hearing in it. Vanya had to see ophthalmologist urgently, as he woke up with an inflamed eye in the morning. The doctor said he had herpes infection in his eye and prescribed eye drops. Vanya already had herpes in his other eye and he was left with a scar that interfered with his vision and which could have to be corrected surgically. Just in case, the Ophthalmology Unit head will examine Vanya on Friday as well. However, any serious therapy will be offered only after the main treatment is completed. Vanyusha is now at the clinic and he is administered the third cycle of chemotherapy. His mom had calmed down after having a few stressful days and she feels optimistic again. Vanya has been through so much already that the issue with his ears and eyes will certainly be taken care of.”
Anya, volunteer
June 20, 2010: “Vanya completed two more chemotherapy cycles - fourth and fifth. There were complications, unfortunately. Because of unexpected temperature rise, Vanya spent additional week at the hospital. But in general, Vanya is tolerating chemotherapy well. Based on MRI results as of May 12th, Vanya is still in remission! And one more great piece of news: long and hard work with speech pathologist brought results, and Vanya’s tracheostomy was taken off.
He now eats and drinks like all the healthy kids. In the past are now the feedings through a tube and Vanya’s complaints that he could not munch on bread or eat a candy. In the past is now the constant worry that infection can get inside Vanya’s body through the tube. Vanya lived with tracheostomy for 16 months and its removal was a great joy for his mom!
Physical therapy was also successful: Vanya can now walk by himself. Even though it is difficult and the steps are small and slow, Vanya is catching up with the kids his age little by little. And very soon he will turn 3 years old.
Vanya has one last chemotherapy cycle left. The issue with paying for his treatment is still pressing. In May his mom received a bill for the rest of chemotherapy for 25,000 euros. This amount does not include the final examination, surgery to remove tracheostomy and Omaya device from his brain, and rehabilitation.
Please help Vanya take one final step on his road to recovery!”
Anya, volunteer
July 17, 2010: “Vanyusha is not doing very well: early in the week he got severe pneumonia. Vanya’s urine also tested positive for infection. He is now in the hospital where he receives strong antibiotics. On July 13th he was planned to start the 6th chemotherapy cycle, but it had to be postponed for now. Please, pray for his recovery.
Financially, it is simply a catastrophe! Clinic’s account office told us that Vanya owed 5,000 euros as of beginning of July. It is scary how high his debt is now. When in April Vanya had pleural complications, just one week at the hospital “ate up” over 8,000 euros. Now his pneumonia is even more aggressive and it means that the bill will increase even more. Please help our little guy! He works so hard to overcome all challenges and get well.”
Marina, volunteer
August 20, 2010: Vanya completed his last cycle of the chemotherapy. The oncological part of treatment is now over and we need to pay his debt off: due to complications, it has grown to about 30,000 euros. In addition, Vanya needs an ophthalmology examination, removal of Omaya device and the final examination - which all require an additional amount. Please help Vanya!
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Maxim Gedzovich is just over 2 years old. He was diagnosed with a retinoblastoma (cancer of the retina) on his left eye. Maxim has already gone through two courses of chemotherapy at the Filatov Institute in Odessa, but the results were unsuccessful. The family had to travel to the University Clinic in Essen, Germany specializing on retinoblastoma. The examination at Essen revealed the aggressive growth of the tumor. In order not to let the tumor to spread out, the doctors advised to remove the boy’s left eye and replace it with the prosthesis. Other options, such as chemotherapy and radiation were not recommended due to the possible adverse effects on the right eye. The operation is scheduled for February 25-26, 2010 and Maxim will stay at Essen for about 2 weeks. The preliminary cost of the operation is 4,800 euros. If the operation is successful, the boy will live normally, examinations will not be so frequent and Maxim will only need to change the prosthesis as he grows older. Please support Maxim!
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Ira Alexeeva was only 2 months old, when she was diagnosed with a bilateral retinoblastoma (tumors in both eyes). She had several chemotherapy courses at home in Ukraine, and now must be taken to the University Clinic in Essen, Germany for brachytherapy, a type of radiation therapy. The treatment is going to be lengthy and will consist of short courses with intervals of three weeks to two months. According to the preliminary calculations, the first hospitalization will require approximately 10,000 euros. Ira is expected at the hospital on February 8, 2010. Her mother stays with her, and the family is unable to raise the money within a week. Please support Ira!
February 21, 2010: Ira and her mom returned to St. Petersburg to continue therapy at City Hospital No 31. The next planned examination in Essen was scheduled for June 2010. Ira and her mom have enough money for the next trip. We are enormously grateful to all Ira’s supporters!
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Fidan Azeri has a grave case of talassemia, a disease that requires blood transfusion every 18-20 days to maintain hemoglobin level. The iron accumulated in transfusion process, often destroys the liver and the spleen. The only cure for talassemia is the bone marrow transplantation. Fidan’s family is considering treatment in Turkey; the approximate cost of procedure is US$ 80,000. Please help Fidan!
