June 2004. Valya Polishuk has relapse of limphogranulematosis.

Valya Polishuk lives in Crimea since birth, - July 27th, 1989. Two years ago doctors diagnosed severe disease: limphogranulematosis v cancer of lymphatic nodes. Diagnosis is severe, but not hopeless. Limphogranulematosis is the best treated type of children cancer. After long and difficult treatment 95% of patients make a complete recovery!

Unfortunately, Valya is among those 5% children- On April 29th 2004 her disease relapsed. But this is not the last verdict. But using modern treatment programs it-s possible to succeed even in those cases, when the first course wasn-t successful.

Despite her age, Valya is an adult. She knows about her disease, together with her mother she discussed with doctors the strategy and tactic of the treatment. Learning about relapse, Valya said: "So I will receive treatment, I am not going to die." She doesn-t loose her courage, smile and believe: her disease will be overcome.

Even getting treatment, Valya continue learning English. She wants to speak it fluently to be able to travel around the world. Valya-s family consists of mom Svetlana, younger brother Vitalik, grandma and grandpa. They all together should get a decision v which medical institution to choose to continue treatment. After all discussions, they have chosen Russian Radiological Medical Center in city Obninsk, near Moscow. This medical institutions is known as "limphogranulematosis treatment center". But... in Russian Federation Valya and her family are considered as foreigners and all medical services in this Center require payment. The whole treatment course v staying in hospital, medical manipulations, medicines, - costs about 37.000 Ukrainian Hryvnas. For Valya-s family it is impossible to collect this sum. But they are not alone.

Svetlana Polishuk, Valya-s mom, worked much and selflessly in Mission, helping other children, since her daughter got oncological diagnosis.

The Overcoming Mission is looking for funds for treatment of Valentina Polishuk using all kinds of methods: direct contacts, press, Internet. In May and June we collected about 13.000 Ukrainian Hryvnas. This permitted to pay for the first three cycles of polichemical therapy and related expenses (living in Obninsk, necessary medicines for accompanying therapy). On June 4th Valya started therapy in Radiological Center in Obninsk.

We are looking for funds to continue Valya-s treatment!
 

July 2004. Ilya Sarafanov - kidney tumor relapse.

Ilya Sarafanov is 4 and a half year-old-boy. Will he live more? At the moment nobody knows that...

Tatiana Sarafanova, mom of Iliusha:

The God gave me a child exactly for New Year v that was the most beautiful present for our family. He was so sweet! He was born like an athlete v 4,5 kg weight and 60 cm height! His first steps Ilya made at the age of 8 months, and he went to kindergarten at the age of 1 year and a half. Simply saying, we were happy family. But in last May (Ilya was 3,5 year-old-boy) doctors diagnosed "Wilms- tumor". It was hard blow for us...

We went to the hospital. Ilya had undergone an operation v it lasted five hours; he had his kidney with tumor ablated. Then he was getting chemical therapy and irradiation. Ilya was enduring everything; it seemed that treatment is successful. But suddenly tumor began to progress.. We don-t want to give up. Now we moved from Simferopol to continue treatment in Kiev. But for this, of course, we need money. We decided to ask you about this.

Please, help our son! This enemy is too powerful for him, Ilya is not able to overcome it alone, without your help... Thank you!
 

July 2004. Veronika Ostrovskaya is suffering from exacerbation of hepatitis. She needs "Intron A"!

Veronika Ostrovskaya spent in hospital more than one year, longer than all other children for the last 13 years. The therapy course all the time was prolonged because of complications were setting in. Moreover, girl had acute appendicitis and she underwent a unique operation with a highly low level of leukemia.

It seems, during one of the procedures of blood transfusion girl was infected with hepatitis- Here is no guilty. The blood, which corresponds all norms and is checked for absence of virus of hepatitis, may become the cause of infection if the immune system of patient is oppressed, like in case of treatments of our children.

Now Veronika is suffering from exacerbation of hepatitis. She needs long treatment with ?Intron A¦. Probably during a year. The price of this medicine necessary for the first course of three months is about $ 1800. This sum is not as big as other children needs, but this large family has no idea where to get it...
 

July 2004. Tamara Kotova from Kherson: acute myelogenous leukemia!

Tamara Kotova is getting treatment in hematological department of the Children Clinical Hospital in Kherson. She is 15 years old and she has acute myelogenous leukemia.

Oxana Kotova, Tamara-s mom:

I write my letter with big hope, asking help! I don-t have other children, except my Tamara. She is talented, sweet child. At school until 7th form she was excellent pupil. She likes to sing, dance, she draws wonderful pictures, and also swims well.

On June 1st 2004 she was taken to the infectious hospital with high temperature. After passing all tests she was transferred to the hematological department of the Children Clinical Hospital in Kherson and we got news about her disease: leukemia. At that moment I thought that my heart would stop beating and the life would stop also, but I needed to get enough courage to help my daughter to fight with the illness.

After few days we got results of tests from Kiev: diagnosis v acute myeloid leukemia. That meant that we should go to Kiev, because in Kherson in hospital they don-t treat this diagnosis. But in Kiev doctors didn-t want to accept Tamara for treatment, as she already was in very bad condition. She had only 9.000 out of 200.000 thrombocytes, many hematomas appeared on her body, vessels were breaking, she had nasal bleeding...

Our doctor in Kherson asked doctors from Kiev to accept Tamara-s treatment. At last they accepted, but said that the treatment would be long lasting and very expensive. At that moment we even didn-t expect that it would be so expensive! Before going to Kiev we borrowed 15.000 Ukrainian Hrivna, but it was only small part of the whole price. We finished only the first block of chemiotherapy, but already have no money. But in future is very long therapy and marrow transplantation. We need much money and have no idea where to get it from.

It-s so awful to understand that your child is dying on your eyes. That-s why I ask you to help me. Please, help!

Tamara hopes to recover from this illness, she says she will overcome anything to be alive! We will pray the whole life for you and your relatives! Thank you much! God bless you!
 

July 16, 2004. Anya Harchenko v before the operation.

There are a lot of people helping in collection money for Anya Harchenko! All this thank to Irina K. from Minsk, who takes part in forum of Andrey Kuraev. On May 19th she started topic "Lets help God to give a chance to live for Anya". Unfortunately, we don-t have possibility to describe all events happened since that day. We show here only the last message from Irina.

Anya now is at home, in Konotop, getting supporting course of chemiotherapy. On Sunday she made communion. In general she feels herself well, she only has stomachache and feels sick even at nights. Everything else is well. She is on holiday, talks on phone with friends.

We still continue to prepare to Anya-s operation. She will go back to the hospital on July 25th to continue prepare for operation. Since the last message (June 25th) Anya received $4.467.

God bless Felix, Oleg, Dmitry, Irina, Natalya, Ruslan, Eugene, Irina, Marina, Andrey, Alexander, Olga, Maxim, Anna, Pavel, Vladimir and all other people who helped.

The whole sum we could collect with the help of people from this forum since May 19th until now is $ 12.875. Thanks God for this.

Day by day I print out tale in pictures about pony and rabbit, which Ivan Khokhlov, drawer, sends me. Pictures are very nice, with Anya-s mom we decided to put them on the window of the box where Anya will live after the operation. This way she will feel herself better. Only specially prepared doctors will be able to enter the box, and only through the special system of sluices. But anyway, through that window Anya will be able the whole day to see her mom and to talk by phone. So, everything is well! :)

Anya still needs our help, both praying and financial. All those who can help, please, wrte me at irina-krp@yandex.ru or call +375-296-760-516. People who lives in Moscow can contact Elena Shirokova by phone +7-916-826-91-69. Please, don-t forget to inform me about money transfer.

God bless you, we wish you health both of soul and body.

Sincerely yours, Irina. July 15th, 2004.
 

July 16th, 2004. Vera Geliuk-s operation again is postponed.

To complete marrow transplantation in Kiev is impossible now, by words of Olga, mother of Vera Geliuk: it was impossible to get stem cells for transplantation. But variant of transplantation abroad requires both time for its solving, and money in plus- At the moment Vera gets help from voluntary group from Kiev ?Mi poruch¦, particulary, Natalya Slichuk has organized help for Vera in obtaining necessary medicines.
 

July 2004. News about Iulya Shedko.

Young Iulya continues treatment. Her condition is not very well. Long-lasting intestinal bleeding made worried much Iulya-s mom Natasha and doctors. Most probably, it is reaction for chemiotherapy.

Vadim is still helping Iulya in buying medicines. We wrote about him last time. In the period of crisis Holland foundation "Save Russian Child" sent $1000 for buying medicines.

But also we gifted to Iulya a doll v talking baby, which is without an hair, the same as Iulya at the time of chemiotherapy. This doll says several words, laugh when is tossing up, and cries when is getting an injection with special syringe. This doll was given by Iulya-s aunt, Natasha-s sister.
 

July 2004. Lera Ulitskaya is finishing post-operational treatment.

Valeria is in good health condition. In August she will need medicine "Holosan". Mission "Overcoming" is planning to buy this medicine using means from the bank account of the mission.
 

June 16th, 2004. Danya Poddubny is alright.

"Danya moved up to the 7th grade. He was studying as a student :) Last analyses: hemoglobin 127, thrombocytes 200, leukocytes 2,4 (a bit low).

But in general v everything is ok. He grew up v his height is already 170 cm, but he is tiny. Now he is interested in airplane paper modeling. He makes real copies of airplanes. Each detail is three-dimensional v he glues them, make shape, then color. Cool!"
 

June 8th, 2004. We have collected money for infusomates for Kherson hospital.

"Dear friends,
We have great news. We have collected money for infusomates for Kherson hospital (about 12.000 euro). But not all money are on our bank account. We hope that in few months we will be able to put infusional pumps in hospital. Two sponsors from Holland helped us v they increased the sum three times, than we had after street action."

Fund "Save Russian Child", Amsterdam
 

Thank you for the help!

We thank much all those who helped our children! With your care, money, prayers they live!
 

June 31st, 2004. Rostik Gulyaev died.

It was difficult to believe.. Rostik has finished the whole treatment course in hospital. It was difficult, but anyway successful. He went back home, getting supporting chemiotherapy. And in june, suddenly v infection- His condition worsen very quick. Last days Rostik spent in reanimation with apparatus of artificial breathing, being unconscious.

Parents of Rostislav, Sasha and Vika, faced the grief bravely- They loved much their son.
 

June 1st, 2004. The Day of Recovered Children.

As usual, on June 1st, the party of onco-hematological children department of Crimean hospital was help. The first time during the last 7 years our mission didn-t take part in it-s preparing... :(

Here is photo report from the party.
 

June 2004. Voyage to Dnepropetrovsk.

Coordinators of ?Overcoming¦ spent in Dnepropetrovsk two days. They visited children oncological department, met doctors and patients. The basis of volunteering was laid in Dnepropetrovsk. Now our mission has two representatives in this city.

Also we went on a mini-pilgrimage to the hospital temples in Dnepropetrovsk. There are a lot of temples v they are even separated from other temples. Unfortunately, no children hospital has such temple v they all are in hospitals for adults.

Soon we will show you more photos and more detailed story of this voyage.
 

10.04.2004. With coming Easter joy!

Not days but hours are left before the Easter - resurrection of Christ - the holiday of everlasting joy, resolute and final victory over death.

Christ has risen and nothing nor anybody can take love, hope and faith away from us. Does not matter how severely and cruelly sometimes our life goes, we are given an imperishable promise: finally any history (and human history as a whole) will come to a HAPPY END!

The Passionate Saturday... The Christ is still in the grave, but the world by already irrepressible pregnant with Sunday...
 

10.04.2004. HELP NEEDED: Julia Shed'ko, 1,5y/o, nephroblastoma

"My name is Natalie, my small daughter's name - Julia. She was born as a wholesome, beautiful child.
Then the trouble came.
But physicians give us hope. Turned out to be that Julia can survive. The treatment already lastes for a long time, and physicians say that chances of my daughter gradually grow up.
Now, many things depend on money..."

Detailed information and photos >>>

10.04.2004. HELP NEEDED: Valeria Ulitskaya, 12 years, osteosarcoma

Lera lives in Simferopol but at the moment she is in Kiev oncolytic Institute being prepared for the serious operation - removing the joint, stroked by oncology disease of and it's replacement by endoprosthesis.

The main difficulty is the cost of prosthetic device. However Lera and her mother Tatiana has not left in a trouble. Their friends and colleagues at work has collected the basic amount needed for the prosthetic device, so within few days operation will be held.

However, help to Valeria is still required. Although the amount is not in "cosmic" numbers any more money is still needed to gain the lacking medicine and for the mother to provide daughter and herself necessary household attributes. They need attention and words of encouragement. Lera would be happy with any small gift - a toy, book, etc...

Contact information, news about Lera >>>

04.04.2004. Vera feels better; but she needs medicine!

From: Leschuk Lyudmila
Subject: Geljuk

Vera Geljuk walks by wall about 10 steps now and even goes outside with two adults supporting. The side-car is almost not in use. Although she is only a child, her will power, Olga says, is enormous.
They need 150 ampules of cogitum otherwise there is no reason even to begin to take this medicine: treatment should take at least 3 months. 30 ampules, which were bought, are enough only for 15 days. This preparation is not found in Ukraine still, but it can be bought in Russia.
Tomorrow they go in to hospital for the following block.

04.04.2004. Infusion pump for kids of Herson

Today, in holiday of the Lords Entry to Jerusalem, we officially begin the collection of funds to buy infusion pumps for Herson regional hospital for kids.

An orthodox parish from Zurich (Switzerland), with which we fixed the close-fitting fraternal relations, will become The First participant of this action.

28.03.2004. Informational action-exhibition in Yevpatoria

On August 26-28 2004 in Yevpatoria was held the special-purpose exhibition "All for your health". The Mission "Preodolenie" (Overcoming) participated there, being invited by one of the organizers - the "Valkyrie" centre.

We distributed information booklet "Cancer is not condemnation" and exposed exhibition of art (the works) of the kids, that where treated or in course of treatment in Crimean ward of oncohematology.

Besides that, at Saturday (March 27) we have conducted the concert program. Yevpatoria musical groups were invited to participate...

Detailed information and photos >>>

22.03.2004. Calendars - a business cards of "Preodolenie" (Overcoming)

Today was finished printing of Calendars for 2004, denoted to our mission. They include name and logo of our Mission and our coordinates. Calendars are of two types. One has a photo of Oliga and Vera Gelyuk, made in Kiev "Chernobyl Centre". The Vera sits in side-car and smiles. Other type of calendars has the drawing of Vovy Stogniy: nice cow on the background of big red sun. Calendars are specified full name of a child, his(her) age and diagnosis.

Calendars are made (the model and seal) advertising agency "Duet" (Simferopol).

19.03.2004. Misha Norenko transfer to Yevpatoria pension-boarding school

Misha has spent in a ward more than 4 years. We shall remind that he is orphan. For all these years physicians and we "Preodolenie" searched for him a new family. Twice it seemed that the problem is solved. But - alas...

Now Misha will live in Yevpatoria, in pension-boarding school.

17.03.2004. Vera Geljuk: letter of L.Chernovetskij - the public deputy of the Ukraine

Leonid Chernovetskij has heard of Vera during the action of searching for donor, conducted Kiev by volunteer's group. He contacted Vera's mother to find out more of what kind of help they need. Olga has asked to help her daughter with residence in Kiev between therapeutic block and at period of the long course supporting therapy after Vera's operation and after her discharge from hospital. "Preodolenie" supported this request.

Today mr L.Chernovetskij addressed with official letter to Alexander Omelichenko (Kiev town mayor) with imperative request to solve this question. The copies of the letter were sent to our Mission, to Oliga Geljuk, and to the Centre of Radiation Medicine.

09.03.2004. Medicine for Vera Geljuk

Oleg from Saint Petersburg has bought the medicine needed for Vera Geljuk to stop the process of bone tissue destruction: Korteksin (10ěë) - 20 ampules and Kogitum (10 ml) - 30 ampules. Medicines were sent with courier to Olga Geljuk in Kiev.

09.03.2004. Timothy Okroev's visit

After almost 2 years break Timothy Okroev representative of CMS Mission, regional manager of East Europe and Russia has arrived from London to Crimea.

We cooperate with CMS for several years. In the last our relationship was cut off and it has brought some crisis situations in our activity.

On this meeting questions of the bringing the relations out of crisis were discussed and some plans for the further cooperation was drown up.

01.03.2004. Booklets "Cancer is not condemnation"

The first circulation of "Cancer this not condemnation" information booklet was printed today (1000 copies). They include the answers to the most important questions concerning baby cancer. The booklets are intended for mass reader and will be distributed free of charge.

The issue is realized by "KrymPoligrafBumaga" company on charitable base (the director Alexander Walked is the father of Rostik Guljaev).

29.02.2004. We have lost both boys...

Vladimir Bannik and Yuri Usenko...

All went aptly. For both boy sponsors were found that where ready to pay for the operation and following treatment! But... Complications began and we could not cope with them.

This time calamity came not alone. Vladimir and Yuri have died with a week interval...

Yuri's parents have asked to transfer the money collected by their diligences from "Preodolenie" account to hospital - for buying medication needed in the ward.

29.02.2004. Vera Geljuk has blood donors now

Question of blood donors for Vera was very complicating. Girl has blood group (4-th). For several days all Olga Geljuk's attempts to find the donor for her daughter finished in failure. Then a newly created Kiev volunteer group got the hang of things. Ljudmila Leschuk and some other volunteers have conducted the mass information company: announcements on Ukrainian radio, internet-mailins... The request to help Vera was placed on their own site by most miscellaneous people. As a result number called donors approached to a hundred! Moreover, this action have touched and the other cities (Olga had phone calls from people that were ready to offer their blood or help somehow else from Zhitomir, Odessa, and even... from Canada!), as well as from some high-ranking figures. Two days ago in a telephone talk Olga said that she has made an appointment with someone from UNO representation in Ukraine, as well as with one of our public deputies...

Now Olga has asked the volunteers to find the blood donor for two more kids, who are at this hospital department. In other words, mother of seriously ill girl began active volunteer work!

27.02.2004. Publication in "For you" newspaper

Newspaper "For you" (Herson Christian publishing) has published with small reductions article "Christ in hospital chamber" by Yevgenij Novickij. This publication contains the large number a photoes, made in Simpferopol (Crimea) ward of oncohematology.

26.03.2004. Help has came

500 hryvnas (about 95$) came from Inna Klimenko to the Fund account.

23.02.2004. Help from New York

Natalie Mayorova from New York bought some materials for baby needleworks, medical preparations for the price of 100$. These things were handed to patients of hematological and nephrological wards of Crimean hospital (RDKB).

22.02.2004. ICCD in Herson

Olesya Artemova, coordinator groups "Dotyk Yangola" (Touch of the Angel) wrote us in a letter about International Day of kids sick with cancer, that passed in Herson.

"Exhibitions of the works of kids were conducted in several places simultaneously..." Further>>>

15.02.2004. New from ICCCPO:
Hose Carraras supports International Day of kids sick with cancer

Worldwide known operatic singer, Hose Carraras supports the International Day of kids sick with cancer.

He says: "Hose Carraras International Leukemia fund and ICCCPO carry the same mission because cancer once upon time can become completely curable disease... If we will fight it all together then we can have a firm confidence that we will reach this goal in the nearest future".

Saymon Lala, head of ICCCPO: "We pleased that the worldwide "star" of so high level supports us. Hose Carraras has founded his fund, having experience of cancer, the same as parents of kids, sick with cancer, from all around the world created ICCCPO".

15.02.2004. Letter to Coffi Annan

ICCCPO has sent its members a copy of a letter addressed to UNO's General Secretary so that parental organizations could refer to this letter or include the givenned text to their letters to own government or officials of different level.

Text of the letter to Coffi Annan (eng.)

15.02.2004. International Day of kids sick with cancer

On February 15 there are many holidays, anniversaries and memorable dates. Russian orthodox celebrate Feast of the Purification. This day several years ago was declared Worldwide day of the orthodox youth. Besides those, in former USSR this day is known by many as a day when of the Afghanistan war ended... Also, it is the second year, as the Worldwide confederacy of organizations parents, whose children are sick with ontological diseases (ICCCPO) decided to mark February 15th as the International Day of kids sick with cancer (ICCD).

However, strict connection to this date is not required. Actions and events, denoted ICCD, can be held thought February-March.

This year "Preodolenie" (Overcoming) conducts informational company within the framework of ICCD to explain to public that children's cancer can be cured. In the near future we release the booklets "Cancer is not a condemnation", as well as pocket calendars of two types: with photos of Vera Geljuk and with a drawing of Vova Stognij.

Organization of comprehensive help to Vera Geljuk we consider as the main event confined to this date!

14.02.2004. News about Vera Geljuk

The physicians are gradually preparing Vera for the transplantation. After examination they decided not to hurry up with operation because girl's condition is comparatively stable at the moment and it would be better to give her some time to get firmly established before the marrow transplantation.

Vera feels relatively well: if the last several months she was practically bedridden (or sidercar), now she sits on beds, tries to get up and if it is necessary to move somewhere she manages without stretcher - hangs on mother's shoulders and travels this way.

Vera is not letting herself to be bored. She has sent in Simferopol with her mother some beautiful flowers made of beads.

14.02.2004. Meetings in Herson and in Kiev

Yevgenij Novickij, coordinator of "Preodolenie" mission, went to Herson and Kiev from 9 to 13 of February for meetings with local societies of helping kids, who are suffering with oncology diseases. Three main purposes for these trips where:

• co-ordination of actions with local organization with the same goals as ours (parental, and volunteerial);
• rendering help in consulting to this organization and in creating new structures;
• a meeting with physician (children's oncologists and hematologists) and with families of sick kids, that are in a treatment course in Herson and Kiev hospitals that are in cooperation with "Preodolenie" mission

* * *

Our Mission, official representative ICCCPO in Ukraine, has given rights to "Dotyk Yangola" organization to carry out actions denoted to International Day of kids sick with cancer in Hersone on February 15. On our meeting we have discussed the program of planned actions and the ways of their realization. Also Mission coordinator have visited in hematological ward of Herson hospital and talked with Vera Gavrilovna Redikina - unit's manager and with other children's hematologists. Program of the interaction and cooperation of "Preodolenie" mission with "Dotyk Yangola" society and children's hematological ward of Herson hospital was planned.

Detailed information and photos >>>

* * *

For three days in Kiev we managed a lot.

• To visit hospital, where Vera Geljuk and Sofiyka Gorshkova (about this girl we have heard through Andrew Kuraev's forum) are receiving medical treatment, talk to them and to their parents.
• To met with physician of the Radiology Medicine Scientific Centre ("Chernobyl Centre") and Marrow Transplantation Ward (MTW). We discussed the possibility for Crimean children's that might need this kind of operation to be treated there. "Chernobyl centre" is equipped with the latest techniques, completely supplied with medications and serviced by experienced physicians. Unfortunately, MTW legally belongs to the Kiev city division of the Public Health Ministry and financed by them, so for all nonresidents operations can be done as paid medical service only. We discussed this aspect of the problem with doctors, working in MTW.
• To conduct the negotiations with leaders of the Ukrainian Feminine fund and other Ukrainian public organizations and agree on cooperation.
• Get acquainted with the chairman of one of the oldest on parental organization of helping children with leukemia in Ukraine - a fund "Zhenja".
• Visit in Kiev hospice that has "st.Barbara the great martyr" orthodox temple and talk with it's dean and deacon.
• Finally - that is probably most important - unite the voluntary assistantants we had in Kiev in a volunteers group! Actual management of this group was undertaken by Lyudmila Leschuk and Nataliya Slichuk. First goal Kievan group has set for themselves is to help (with medication/facility on their acquisition, donor blood, product and thing of the first need, moral support) to Vera Geljuk and other kids in "Chernobyl Centre".

05.02.2004. Thanks for help!

Vsevolod from Moscow has sent 10.000 rubles on count of the Fund for kids sick with cancer.

03.02.2004. Help for Vladimir Bannik

Anonymous from Russia has transferred 600 USD through Anelik system for Vladimir Bannik's treatment. This amount was enough to gain for today all necessities for Vladimir.

01.02.2004. Help to hematological ward

"The Light of Crimea" fund has offered 6 kits of the medical sanitary uniform and 40 packages of hands disinfecting facility to Simferopol hematology ward.

01.02.2004. Particularities of our present-day activities

Regrettably, problems that we met at September last year remain unsolved.

If briefly: at September the event has occurred which seemed (and still) to us incredible. Our parental organization's relations with physician-hematologists of the Crimean children's hospital were spoiled very badly. That is the same physicians that with hard labor have won our (and many other) kids from death. Physicians that we worked shoulder to shoulder for more than five years being certain that in any crisis situation we will help each other.

Though it is sad cooperation was changed to extreme tension in relations. And that tension continues even now...

We (parents and volunteers of "Preodolenie" mission) refuse to build our relations with hematological ward through the prism of this conflict. We did not quarrel with anyone and we only want appeared quarrels, claim and insults to disappear as soon as possible. We have accepted the majority of claims for restriction that where putted before us - to reduce the frames of our activity and to separate work on ensuring the medical process. But we refused to completely terminate our activity.

First, we are asked to help by concrete families and we have a potential to find help they require.

Secondly, at the present time as Ukrainian ICCCPO representatives our functions are spread beyond Crimea. Being a member of Worldwide Confederacy we see our goal in creation new and consolidation of existing groups of help to kids sick with oncology diseases throughout whole Ukraine.

Third. We defend the need of information activity growth: publishing books about children's oncology problem and memorandums to those families that has faced such disease; information companies in press; internet consultations and cooperation on questions of the parental activity and real work in helping sick kids.

Fourth. We see our goal in searching for of the decision of one of the most complex problems: setting up the scheme on realization of marrow transplantation operations to needing kids and constant contacts with clinics that conduct such operations: in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and other countries.

Fifth. It is necessary to develop the rehabilitation process for kids that are passing or have passed the chemotherapies course.

Finally, the sixth. We consider inexcusable to abandon the experience and contact that where produced for these years. Our activity cessation can turn out to be paid too dearly - indescribable, unmeasured...

Besides that we have enough basis to suppose that authentic reason of this conflict is not in the ward's physicians but in certain layers of Crimean officialdom and they deliberately play this conflict scenario. Why?.. Is it the following "separate and rule" principle? Is there other reasons?... We will refrain from quick answer to given questions because our suggestions are not fully supported with facts yet.

We continue to render aid for sick kids from Crimea and for the ward as a whole with no dependencies from any obstacles. We hope that any discords and conflict situations will not effect common efforts to help sick kids and will be overcomed and forgotten soon.

Outside of all circumstances, Crimean children's physicians, both hematologist and oncologists, remain for us people, to whom we are obliged impossible much: life of our kids.

31.01.2004. Kiev citizens help Vera Geljuk

Natasha Slichuk, who was helping our kids before, published information about Vera Geljuk on Kiev parental internet-forum. Her subject denoted to Vera caused multiple responses.

Date: 29.01.04 18:34
Author: Drakosha
Subject: Let's help!

... I had conversation with mother of this girl. Her name is Olga. They are treated not far from small Zhitomirskaya St.: Victory Avenue 119-121, 10 floor building, 2nd floor, children's hematology ward, chamber 8.
She needs relations and moral support very much. She with her daughter are alone in a foreign city... Even if someone will bring some homemade meal for them it will be good help too.
Girls! Particularly those who live close! Let's help with what we can.
...I mean any kind of help - not money for the operation, but meal, toys for girl (she loves puzzles very much, collects even ones with 1000 piece), simply come and speak to mother. It is very hard to be in foreign city with a sick child...

Date: 30.01.04 11:57
Author: NatashaK

I want to help!
I live not far from this hospital and I will do my best to visit them this Saturday/Sunday. I will write here at Monday.

Date: 30.01.04 12:58
Author: AlenaK

Natasha,
Let us met, probably I can help with money?

Date: 30.01.04 15:16
Author: adminforum

And ask mother if I can place this info on a site. How much money exactly is needed, account info and other details. I think people will response.
Regards, forum administrator!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30.01.2004. Help from Holland to Vera Geljuk

The Dutch Fund "Save the Russian child" transferred to Kiev 2.000 USD for Vera Geljuk.

That way full amount needed for girl's operation is COLLECTED!

30.01.2004. Help to Vladimir Bannik from Zurich Christians

330 USD (300 euro equivalent) came to "Save the Russian child" fund's account from Voskresenskij receipt of Russian Orthodox Church in Zurich for Vladimir Bannik's treatment.

22.01.2004. Letter from Israel: TRANSPLANTATION IS POSSIBLE!

"Transplantation in our centre cost - 77 000 $ for patient that has compatible donor; this includes all expenses even if stay will last for one year. This cost includes preparation to transplantation, procedure of the transplantation and the following stay in our dispensary clinic, including treatment and laboratory studies until the patient leave the country. Tissue typing before transplantation procedure is included also..."

Full letter text from professor Shimon Slavin

22.01.2004. Help from Zurich orthodox Christian

The Abbot and pilgrims of Voskresenskij receipt of Russian Orthodox Church in Zurich have collected and sent trough WU to Vera Geljuk's mother 2.700 USD for marrow transplantation operation.

17.01.2004. First issue of the information bulletin

First issue of information bulletin about our "Preodolenie" mission was released. It contains the account about Christmas holiday in hematology ward, information about International day of children sick with cancer (February 15th) and requests to help children that need marrow transplantation. The first issue circulation - 100 copies. The bulletin is printed on charitable basis by "KrymPoligrafBumaga" centre. It is addressed to those, who are tied up with activity of our mission or is interested in its functioning.

16.01.2004. Photos form Christmas holiday

Account about Christmas holiday now is accompanied the photos.

15.01.2004. Structural changes in work of the mission

Because of structural changes in our mission's functioning we work on creation of two independent web-resources: hematological ward's site and internet-representation of "Preodolenie" mission. Properly speaking, all organization, related to our, have such practice: web site of organization is different from a web site of a medical institution, where sick children are treated.

15.01.2004. Two Crimean kids need urgent help!

* * * * *

Vera Geljuk (12 y/o) is a daughter of the "liquidator" (her father worked in radiation polluted zone, liquidating consequences of Chernobyl catastrophe). Vera's father died several years ago. Girl remained with her mother Olga and senior sister Marina.

It's almost three years as Vera is seriously ill. But only half a year ago physician managed to diagnose: malignant histiocytosis. Marrow transplantation is her only chance!

At present moment girl is in Kiev - in Chernobyl Centre of radiation protection of the population.

Because Vera has no close relative to become a marrow donor, she is prepared for allogenic transplantation (transplantation of her own cells). The cost of such operation in this Centre is much smaller than in other clinics of the Ukraine and other countries: 3-3,5 thousands of USD. But Geljuk family does not have such money.

But time does not wait. Disease began to destroy Vera's bones and threatens to affection the cerebrum.

We've got only 2 weeks to collect the necessary facilities for the operation.

* * * * *

Four months ago Vladimir Bannik has finished treatment from leukemia's relapse. He was already at home getting the supporting therapy.

On December 23 nose bleeding began and could not be stopped. Then boy together with mother returned to Simferopol in children's hematology.

Spinal puncture has shown 87% of blasts… This had shown that Vladimir has new relapse and marrow transplantation is inevitable. In the best case - from partly compatible close relative donor (mother). In worse - donor is to be searched for. On Ukraine under such circumstances transplantation is not conducted.

So, Vladimir should be operated in Russia or any other country. That way, the cost of operation varies from 50 to 100 thousand of USD.

How can we help Vladimir?

• Take part in collection of facilities;
• Advise any clinic that can conduct such operations (especially if they granting some privileges in payment);
• Help in gaining medication directly from companies-producers.

At present moment the physicians have begun to conduct the course of starting-up chemotherapy that lasts for 2-4 months. The boy has reacted to treatment positively.

Vladimir has some time in reserve, but not much…

06.01.2004. Christmas holiday in a ward

At Christmas Eve a holiday took place in oncohematology ward of Republican children's hospital. Children and teenager that are suffering from oncology diseases are treated here. Christians of different confessions has joined here to great them with the bright joy of Christ's Birthday.

Business and creative intellectuals Representatives of Simferopol that are sponsoring the ward for second year have brought the festival gift: video recorder and medications for 3500 hryvnas (approx. 660 USD). Each child has got the gift from the Fund of the humanitarian initiatives that included: candies, fruits, and soft toy. For half an hour Creative centre guided by Sergej Garikavyj has lead the festive concert.

But, probably, the main event was that program is conducted the a young fellow who himself was treated in this ward 7 years ago from lymphoma (malignant disease of haematogenic system). Presently Alex Kushnarev is 18 y/o, he is a student of Crimean medical school. By looking at Alex and listening to his history children, who are presently treated in the ward, and their parents made sure: cancer ceased to be a condemnation - it is curable!

Let's in these Christmas days wish this kids the most important thing of all: health! And let's help them with what we can.

Detailed story about holiday