Lenya's health problems began in year. After a severe sore throat, for which they prescribed strong antibiotics one after another, 2010  he developed problems with his intestines and joints. For a long time, the boy could not be diagnosed. I was sent for examination at the regional hospital in Odessa for    (  

In August 2011 the diagnosis was changed to ulcerative colitis, reactive hepatitis, reactive syomyitis of large joints with necrotic bullae. Chronic cholecystitis, bile thickening syndrome, pancreatopathy, reactive hepatitis. Reactive hepatitis was then changed to autoimmune hepatitis.

Since Lenechka has been on disability and ongoing treatment. He finished school in while being homeschooled. His former lifestyle was over. Now he was constantly on diets, taking medications nonstop, and rarely interacting with friends and classmates…

In 2015  Lenya's complexion turned very yellow, and the whites of his eyes were also very yellow. The tests ruled out hepatitis A, B, and C. The boy was sent for examination in Kyiv, where primary sclerosing cholangitis, biliary cirrhosis, portal hypertension, splenomegaly, portal gastropathy, esophagitis, and esophageal varices were diagnosed. 1 A recommendation was issued for liver transplantation. We started finding people who had faced the same problem as us, and talked to them. We were advised to contact the city children's clinic in Lviv. We didn't lose hope that another way could be found to save Lenya without a liver transplant. Doctors suggested an option that would alleviate the effects of liver dysfunction: bile duct stenting. We were put in touch with a children's health center in Warsaw, Poland. They prescribed a paid surgery, costing about $, which we raised ourselves, thanks to our family and friends. At the health center, we were seen and prepared for the surgery. After starting the procedure, doctors discovered that the esophageal veins were in very poor condition (varicose veins), and when they tried to insert an umbrella, the veins began to bleed and burst. Bile duct stenting was impossible. To protect the boy from bleeding in the esophageal veins, the doctors decided to perform ligation. They scheduled a repeat ligation in  —    3500        (     2 months, i.e., at the end of February. And  in once again we heard the verdict — liver transplant.

The transplant is planned in Minsk, at the 9th city clinical hospital. The cost of the operation 131 900 $.

We don't have the necessary funds and we are in despair. Leonid is only 17 years old, he really wants to live!

We live in the small town of Belgorod-Dnistrovskyi in the Odessa region. I raise my son without a husband; this is my pain and joy, my greatest happiness, and the meaning of life. My heart breaks into pieces, watching my child fade away, and my strength and desire to help alone are not enough.

I beg you, I beg you, help! You are our hope for a miracle! Don't ignore us.

With respectfully, the Kazakovs.

For ways to help, see here.