Mother Olesia tells the story:
My Sasha is ten years old, still a very little girl, and in her little life until 4 September 2012 there wasn't a single dark cloud. Sasha grew up a beloved child and brought only joy to everyone.
Four months ago, 4 September, our family's life was abruptly divided into «before» and «after» — Sasha was diagnosed with «Acute lymphoblastic leukemia» (commonly this oncological disease is commonly known as blood cancer). Despite the horror and pain of the realization of the terrible disaster that had befallen our child, we decided to do everything possible to save our daughter and were determined to follow all the doctors' orders.
However, already during the first round of chemotherapy, terrible complications arose. Sasha developed toxic enteropathy (intoxication of the body). Then came an ischemic stroke — hemorrhage in the brain. To top it all off, the child developed a fungal infection in the lungs (aspergillosis).
Sasha's condition was so critical that we could lose her any second. I wouldn't wish on anyone to endure what we endured and lived in those hopeless days.
Hope for salvation glimmered when they agreed to treat Sasha at the Dmitry Rogachev Federal Scientific and Clinical Center for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology in Moscow. Our girl has been there since 14 December of last year. She is being treated for both leukemia and a fungal infection. But we couldn't have imagined how hopelessly expensive this treatment would be.
To be admitted to the clinic we had to pay an advance of 459000 UAH (57000 dollars). With incredible difficulty we managed to raise this money. The bill for the treatment itself is 734000 UAH (91000 dollars), which today, after all our spending, has proved beyond our family.
However, we also have to regularly purchase insanely expensive medications. One of them — Vfend tablets — Sasha was prescribed to take for a whole year. In a week, a package of medication (14 tablets) costs 7000 UAH (875 dollars). Where can we get this money?
I beg you, help me raise money for her treatment! My strength is fading, along with hope. It's terrifying to realize that lack of money could take our child away.
Thank you to the advertising agency «Beaumonde» for their ongoing assistance in placing social advertising. Since 1 May 2013 in Odessa, billboards have been installed with information about Sasha.
Information from Sasha's mother:
25 July 2013
Since 13 June 2013 Sasha has been undergoing maintenance therapy for leukemia and antifungal therapy, under the supervision of a hematologist in Odessa. Maintenance therapy consists of Purinethol, Methoject, and Vfend.
6 weeks of maintenance therapy in Odessa and 2 weeks of reinduction therapy in Moscow.
Sasha has been taking Vfend for 5 weeks - 2 tablets per day (1 pack per week) and 1 once a week (6 weeks) Methoject from 15 mg to 45 mg depending on the test results (approximately 15 packages of 15 mg). Regarding Vfend, I really hope that the antifungal therapy will continue until the end of 2013 (approximately 15 packs). Sasha is feeling well (although she stutters terribly), her weight is stable, and so is her mood.
Thank you for your help!
23 June 2013
Since 13 June 2013 Sasha has been having maintenance therapy for leukaemia and antifungal therapy under the care of a haematologist in Odesa. The maintenance therapy consists of taking Purinethol, Metoject and Vfend. 6 weeks of maintenance therapy in Odesa and 2 weeks of reinduction in Moscow. For 5 weeks Sasha takes Vfend - 2 tablets a day (1 pack a week) and once a week (6 weeks) Metoject from 15 mg to 45 mg depending on the test results (about 15 packs of 15 mg)
Regarding Vfend, I really hope that the antifungal therapy will continue until the end of 2013 (approximately 15 packs). Sasha is feeling well (though it's scary to stutter), her weight is maintained, and so is her mood! That's how we do things!
14 May 2013
We had a bronchoscopy, I'm afraid to say, but the lungs are clear, knock on wood! So they're delaying us for another 2 weeks, we'll be undergoing reinduction (hormones), which we missed because of the fungus. I feel sorry for Sanka, she's very weak: nausea, headaches, etc. Today «we had IVs», and tomorrow we have tests and are planning a blood transfusion, the hemoglobin is low (our «sick» place). As for "Vfend", you'll still have to take it! Just differently now, with breaks for hormones.
31 March 2013
According to the plan, Sasha needs to undergo another 8 weeks of primary treatment in Moscow. That's according to the plan, and we'll see how the treatment goes. Then, every 6 weeks (until 2 years), she'll have to go for maintenance treatment.
The fungus is treated with «Vfend» — 2 tablets per day, 200 mg. There are no fresh outbreaks, — God willing, it will go away, but these tablets must be taken all year.
21 February 2013
Sasha continues to undergo chemotherapy and antifungal therapy. She has a poor appetite, and her test results keep «jumping».
14 February 2013
Alexandra's condition is serious. She is currently undergoing treatment not only for leukemia, but also for a fungus that is progressing in her body. Sasha is in her eighth week of chemotherapy, and her test results are constantly fluctuating: up and down. Fungus is very difficult to treat; it's a very serious disease, and treatment is — expensive.
Sasha takes the medication «Vfend» in tablets of 200 mg, a pack of 14 per 1 week. He was prescribed to take it for a whole year.
See the fund's account receipts here.
Treatment assistance provided - 91445,61 UAH
31.01.2014 - medicine paid for 2782,00 UAH
24.12.2013 - charitable donation for treatment 10000,00 UAH
08.10.2013 - medicine paid for 13020,00 UAH
30.07.2013 - medicine paid for 32550,00 UAH
05.07.2013 - medicine paid for 21402,72 UAH
16.05.2013 - charitable donation for treatment 10000,00 UAH
29.12.2014 - Paid for medication in the amount of 1691,61 UAH
