The Gorban family: mother Lyudmila and father Alexander are raising three beautiful children. Kristina is the third child in the family. The girl's older brothers, (Sasha 11 years old and Kostya 8 years old, were always proud of their little sister and understood their role as her protectors. Kristina is growing up a cheerful and energetic little girl, able to enjoy the little things and warm those around her with her warmth and optimism. The girl attended kindergarten, enjoyed socializing, and enjoyed life. Until one day, she came face to face with a childhood illness. The doctors' diagnosis sounded like a terrible death sentence for the entire family, in which all three children were forced to grow up overnight.
At early July 2014 the parents began to notice that their child was having trouble walking: the child was stumbling and slightly «pulling» his left leg. For a consultation, they contacted the regional children's hospital in Odesa. Doctors in the neurology department began an examination that lasted two weeks. An MRI of the brain revealed no abnormalities. Doctors attributed the child's difficulty walking to a calcium deficiency. They prescribed Actovegin and the KiddiPharmaton vitamin complex, after which he was discharged home. Two months later, the child's condition worsened: weakness in his legs developed, he began to fall while walking, and in the mornings, he had severe muscle tone, preventing him from getting out of bed. The child was frightened. His parents became alarmed. Another examination in Odesa, this time in the Neurosurgery Department. An MRI of the lower spine revealed no abnormalities . Then, an MRI of the thoracic spine was ordered, which revealed a spinal cord tumor. The diagnosis was: an intramedullary tumor at Tn level4 lower paraparesis, more on the left. This diagnosis devastated the girl's parents, and only Kristinochka, who saw her mother's tears, didn't understand what was going on. Her mother had to explain her tears to her daughter as nonexistent bouts of toothache. The baby felt sorry for her mother and advised her to «take a pill».
They received a referral for a consultation in Kyiv, where, based on the MRI, it was decided that the doctors were not ready to perform surgery, as the case was very complex. Kristina's future ability to walk would depend on this. After this, at the baby was discharged home. Then, another examination in Kyiv. Doctors from the National Medical Academy of Sciences
The cost of the surgery 34 is thousands of dollars. This is an unaffordable sum for an ordinary rural family raising three children. Lyudmila Gorban (mom) works as a secretary at a school. Gorban Alexander ( (father), not officially employed, works as a loader at the market «7 kilometer». During the examinations in Odessa and Kyiv, the proceeds from the sale of the family car were spent. The house is up for sale, but even if it is sold, it is not even a tenth of the required amount. The family has nothing else to sell. Raising that amount would take several decades, and there is a catastrophic lack of time. There are only days left until the operation date. In the hope that caring people will be found, we are asking for help from our own resources: 007638 fellow villagers, friends, and 007639 unfamiliar people. We have created groups on 007641 social media, and written an appeal to 007642 regional newspaper 007643 (the issue has already been published 007644 circulation), and a fundraiser has been organized for 007645 our village church. With the help of 7 ( caring people, a story about the Gorban family was filmed and has been broadcast for the second week on «7» TV channel in Odesa. As of today, out of 34 000 dollars, 183 thousand hryvnias have been raised. Unfortunately, this isn't even half of the total cost of the operation, which needs to be performed urgently. The child's condition is worsening every day: he has lost weight, can barely stand up, and his legs are starting to bow inward. A few days ago, he lost feeling in his legs from the waist to the knees. It's hard and painful to hear the child ask: «Mom, when will I get this surgery? I want to walk so much». The parents are in despair. The two older brothers are ready to give up all their toys, sweets, and new clothes, just so that their beloved little sister can live a healthy and full life, so that the family can greet the coming days with a smile and joy in their eyes. I would like to address all caring people: «Remember the Christian Christmas tradition of giving gifts to children, especially the sick and poor. Your donation, no matter the amount, will be that very Christmas gift for the girl, giving her and her mother and her father faith in kindness and compassion, and will return to you with their great gratitude!».
See ways to help here.
