Karina Hladchenko

Letter from mom:

My daughter was diagnosed at birth with a congenital heart defect (CHD): a secondary atrial septal defect and a relative pulmonary artery stenosis. Until last year no surgery was offered to us; the child was under the care of a cardiologist, and we hoped she would grow and the defect would close on its own, but that didn’t happen. At a routine check‑up, after examining the child, the doctor said that surgery was necessary—no more waiting. Specifically, to close the defect with an occluder…

The surgery is free, but the price of the occluder—102 613 UAH—is not a realistic amount for us, and raising such money in a short time is beyond our family’s capability. Moreover, I have an older child, a son, who has also been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect since childhood: valve stenosis of the pulmonary artery, and we are also under care at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery.

We live in a district centre, both of us work, but our salaries are modest – I earn 3,000 UAH, my husband up to 2,000 UAH per month. My husband is a war invalid and a combat veteran, and we set aside most of our family income for Karina’s operation. With our own efforts and help from relatives we have already gathered about 45,000 UAH, but our little daughter has been suffering from chronic cystitis for almost two years, and in the last six months it flares up once a month, so a large portion of the money goes to treating the recurring cystitis.

The child couldn't attend kindergarten because of illness, and now she hasn't started school. She hardly interacts with peers to avoid catching viruses. Her best friend is her grandmother, who spends a lot of time with her. We deeply want to provide the child with heart surgery so she can live a full life—go to school and play with other children. We cannot raise the entire amount needed for the operation, and the state does not fund this type of surgery, so I am earnestly appealing to all caring people: please help heal our little daughter, if you are able.

With gratitude and great hope for help, Karina’s parents!

Full name: Hladchenko Karina Hennadiivna, 11.07.2010

City: Koriukivka, Chernihiv Oblast

Diagnosis: congenital heart defect – secondary defect of the interatrial septum

All details and documentation are here.