Martyniuk Marina

Two years ago, Marina was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. At the latest examination, doctors insisted on an urgent operation to place an intravascular implant that can correct the defect. But the occluder costs a substantial amount of money. The family began raising funds, and just when the money was collected, tragedy struck—the family was robbed. Now, for the second time, they cannot raise the necessary sum on their own, so they are reaching out to all caring people to help save their only daughter.

Marinka’s parents have no official work. Mom does odd jobs, and dad works as a masseur in salons. In these salons he also placed donation boxes to collect the needed amount with the help of caring people. Half of the money was raised this way, the other half was gathered by the family. But on December 12 the family was robbed. They live on the 1st floor, and although there is a police department in their building, it didn’t stop the thieves. The thieves haven’t been found, and time is not on Marinka’s side. However, the family hasn’t given up; they have started raising funds again for their daughter’s operation. To date, 13 000 UAH have already been collected. But that isn’t enough, and the parents are appealing to all caring people: help raise 22 950 UAH for the purchase of an implant (occluder) to save the heart of Marina’s only daughter.

Marina is a very sincere and kind girl. She goes to kindergarten, a very cheerful and artistic child. Marinka is the main heroine of all the children’s celebrations, and she knows many poems by heart. She enjoys drawing and sculpting. She loves to dance, but because of her illness she gets tired quickly and cannot be physically overloaded.

The UBB project launched on 12.03.14. A total of 168 donors took part, and by 24.03.14 the required amount had been raised, thanks to all the caring people. Unfortunately, due to a coincidence of circumstances, Marina could not come for the scheduled surgery on 31.03.14 because she fell ill with bronchitis on 27.03.14. Immediately after the UBB funds were transferred to our foundation’s account for Marina, our foundation purchased an occluder (implant) for her, and it waited until she fully recovered. Only after recovering from bronchitis did Marina promptly develop an acute respiratory infection. After these illnesses, doctors did not recommend proceeding with the operation, as complications could arise. The child needed time to recuperate. From the moment the funds were collected and the implant was purchased, almost two months passed before the child’s complete recovery.

On 14.05.2014 at the Scientific and Practical Center of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, together with endovascular cardiac surgeons, a successful operation was performed. And on 16.05.2014, Marina was discharged completely healthy. We are very happy for Marina and are confident that her little heart will no longer be ill and she will be able to dance!

Name: Marina Matynyuk, 5 years

City: Kyiv Oblast, Chabany

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

All details and documentation are here.