To our son, the little magical boy Yuronka Shvaratsky, 2 years and 4 months. He was born and grew up in a caring family, and at times we were overzealous with overprotection. Before he was two, we managed to visit a neurosurgeon after a fall, a dermatologist-oncologist because of a large birthmark on his leg, and several other doctors for various issues that bothered us. It was all a false alarm.

But at the end of August 2017 in our family suffered a real tragedy. Our child was diagnosed with retinoblastoma (eye cancer. Unfortunately, this disease is rare (1 in 20 thousands of newborns), it is difficult to detect in the early stages.

After noticing a strange glow in the eye, we immediately contacted the Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases. After receiving the test results, we consulted with a number of doctors from different clinics and countries. The decision was made to remove the eye due to the size of the tumor and the risk of its spreading to the other eye and entering the optic nerve into the brain. This was the most difficult decision of our entire adult lives.

The day before the surgery, we were walking in Shevchenko's native park. Seeing three motorcycles, I walked up to the guys. I held on, I was strong. But as soon as I opened my mouth, I started choking on tears. After a moment of weakness, pulling myself together, with a smile on my face, I  asked the guys to let Yurka sit on the motorcycle (he their simply adores). They in turn, told us about the one-eyed biker who had traveled halfway around the world. On September 12, 2018, at the Filatov Institute, Filatov's son underwent surgery to remove his left eye. He underwent two rounds of chemotherapy in the hematology department of the regional children's hospital in Odessa. He was also scheduled for orbital irradiation.

On 1 September 2017 at the Filatov Institute our son had an operation to remove his left eye. The child went through two blocks of chemotherapy in the haematology department of the regional children's hospital in Odesa. Irradiation of the orbit was also prescribed.

Yuronka needs an examination and treatment at the Jules Gonin Ophthalmology Center in Switzerland. After treatment, our son will need rehabilitation and a prosthetic eye so that he will be not only healthy, but and as beautiful a baby as he was before.

With respectfully, Yura's parents.

For ways to help, see here.