Olha Guz

Because of her illness, she couldn’t live a full life; doctors advised her not to run, not to engage in sports, and even not to dance, although Olha loves dancing and wanted to pursue it. Olha dreams of being healthy and of her heart never being sick again. Last year the girl underwent an operation during which another defect was discovered.

To correct it, an occluder – an intracardiac implant used to close the heart defect – was needed. After this operation, the girl will even be able to give birth on her own, naturally, and this is what Olga dreams most about – a family and children. The surgery itself is free, but the occluder costs a substantial amount of money that the Guz family does not have. Olga comes from a modest family and studies at a vocational school for people with disabilities. Olga’s mother works as a postwoman at the post office. Her father previously worked at the “Pryladobudivnyk” factory, but unfortunately it was closed, and now he has to make ends meet with temporary jobs because it is very difficult to find work in a small town. Olga’s doctor, Bohdan Cherpak, advised them to seek help from the Future Hearts Charity Foundation. Olga’s father contacted us just as we had just finished a campaign conducted together with SC Johnson and Watsons called “Children of Peace”. One hryvnia from each Glade product sold in Watsons retail centers went toward purchasing occluders for children who turned to our assistance fund. Thanks to the campaign, SC Johnson purchased three occluders.

After receiving a letter of help from Olha, we, together with doctors and SC Johnson, decided to assist Olha Guz. One of the occluders was transferred to the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery by SC Johnson and Watsons for Olha. On 13.05.14 a successful operation to implant the occluder and close the atrial septal defect in Olha Guz was performed. And already on 16.05.14 the girl was discharged home with a healthy heart.

We are confident that Olha’s heart will no longer be sick, and all her dreams will surely come true! The Guz family and the Future Hearts Charity Foundation express immense gratitude to SC Johnson and Watsons for your compassion, your readiness to extend a helping hand to those in need, your caring hearts, love for people, and your tremendous contribution to the country’s future and the development of medicine.