Boichenko Yuliia

A single mother from Kyiv is asking for help to save her younger daughter's heart. Yuli is nine years old; even in the maternity hospital she was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, a perimembranous ventricular septal defect. She was immediately referred to a cardio center, where the girl was examined every year and doctors gave hope that the defect would close on its own. But years passed, and the mother began to notice changes in the child's health. Yuli started getting frequent colds and tiring very quickly. She was prohibited from participating in sports and physical education.

After careful examination of Yuli at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, doctors confirmed the diagnosis and said the defect will not close on its own and will only enlarge over the years. This, in turn, will affect the child's well‑being. Specialists at the Institute recommended closing the defect immediately with an intracardiac implant (occluder). This will save Yuli’s little heart. However, the price of a healthy heart is 98 975 UAH—the exact cost of the occluder, which the mother must purchase out of her own pocket. She has no idea where to get this astronomical sum… She works as a nurse in a polyclinic and receives the minimum wage. Her relatives have managed to raise 20 000 UAH on their own, but the rest cannot be found anywhere. On the UBB website we are collecting the missing portion of the sum. Yulichka is growing into a very compassionate and kind girl. She studies well at school. Since she was forbidden to attend active clubs from early childhood, Yulia chose music: she plays the dombra. Let’s help Yuli’s heart feel major melodies together!

Full name: Yuliia Volodymyrivna Boychenko, 11.09.2008

City: Kyiv

Diagnosis: congenital heart defect, perimembranous ventricular septal defect

All details and documentation are here.