Bulatecka Mariyana

When five‑year‑old Mariiana Bulatetska from the city of Nikopol in the Dnipropetrovsk region was examined in November 2014, doctors incidentally discovered a congenital heart defect: a patent arterial duct. Because she was in severe pain, the child was referred to the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Children’s Hospital for a gastroenterology consultation. During that examination, a cardiologist diagnosed a congenital heart defect – a patent arterial duct with a functionally open atrial septal defect. She was then sent to the cardiothoracic surgery department in Dnipropetrovsk, where the diagnosis was confirmed and an urgent operation was recommended.

Through the media, the mother learned that at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery in Kyiv they perform such operations without opening the chest, using modern occluders that completely close the defect. She contacted the endovascular cardiac surgeons at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, and they confirmed that Mariika’s defect could be closed with an intracardiac implant. But when she discovered that the surgery itself was free while the implant at that time cost 45 491 UAH, the family was shocked by the amount. They could not afford the expensive implant despite both parents working (both on minimum wages). They support not only two children but also their retired parents; one of the grandmothers suffered a work‑related disability and requires ongoing treatment and care.

The difficulty was also that the two parents have a loan of 26 000 UAH, which they have not yet repaid, and they would not be given a new one. The father took 10 000 for treatment, and the mother took a loan to renovate the heating and replace the boiler in the house. They have nothing to sell, as they own no property and live in their parents’ house. This diagnosis came as a complete surprise to the Bulatetskykh family, because they could not have foreseen that the money they borrowed would be needed for their daughter’s treatment, as the girl was completely healthy until the age of five. So the parents turned to us.

Thanks to Danone in Ukraine and partner companies that, together with the Open Hearts of Ukraine Charity Foundation and the Ukrainian Charity Exchange, organized the charitable “Run with Faith in the Heart 2014” across Ukrainian cities, the necessary amount for Mariyana to purchase an intracardiac implant (occluder) was raised. On 02.12.14 at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mariyana Bulatetska successfully underwent surgery. On 04.12.14 Mariyanchka was discharged from the hospital with a healthy heart! Now five‑year‑old Mariyana can live a full life without heart pain!

From the bottom of our hearts we thank Danone Ukraine, the Open Hearts of Ukraine charitable foundation, and the Ukrainian Charity Exchange for their help in raising funds for Mariyana Bulatecka from the city of Nikopol. Thank you for your diligent work and professionalism, for your humanity and compassion, and for your readiness to extend a helping hand.