Melnyk Sofiika

For a long 15 years, the Melnyk family had no children. All those years they turned to institutes and clinics, seeking help from many doctors. Mom underwent two gynecological surgeries. It turned out to be all in vain. But Mom didn’t give up; she endured endless examinations, gave tests, took expensive medications, all without result. After a prolonged course of hormones, she finally became pregnant. Only the Melnyk family knows how much effort and money was spent on the birth of their long‑awaited daughter.

Three months after their daughter was born, doctors diagnosed her with a congenital heart defect—a secondary defect of the atrial septum. It was a shocking moment for the family. They were registered at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery in Kyiv. The physicians recommended follow‑up examinations every six months. Now the child is five years old. For all these years the family has lived hoping the hole would close, but, unfortunately, the miracle never came. Sofiika has constantly suffered from colds, receiving both outpatient and home treatment. The doctors urgently recommended surgery to close the congenital heart defect using an occluder. However, the Melnyk family could not afford the occluder. Since learning of their child’s diagnosis, the parents have managed to raise only 10 000 UAH on their own. Sofiika’s mother does not work because the child is constantly ill, and she has not been able to secure a permanent job. The father works abroad in CIS countries and throughout Ukraine, taking on construction jobs. Sofiika’s mother turned to the Future Hearts Charity Foundation asking us to help them raise the needed amount of 34 940 UAH.

After the successful “Children of Peace” campaign together with SC Johnson and Watsons, which resulted in the purchase of three intracardiac implants and saved three lives, SC Johnson could not remain indifferent to children with congenital heart defects and offered its help to the families that turned to the Future Hearts Charity Foundation to raise the necessary amount for acquiring occluders (intracardiac implants). At that moment the foundation was supporting five children: Polina Svystun – 2 years 7 months, Natasha Maylatova – 8 years, Yana Perevoznuk – 17 years, Natasha Zavialova – 11 years, among them Sofia Melnyk – 5 years. SC Johnson added the missing amount of 34,940 UAH for the purchase of the implant and on 17.06.14 the Future Hearts Charity Foundation purchased an occluder for Sofia. On 24.06.14 at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery a successful operation to close the congenital heart defect – a secondary atrial septal defect in Sofia Melnyk – was performed. On 26.06.14, before Sofia’s discharge, representatives of SC Johnson and the Future Hearts Charity Foundation visited the girl, talked with the Melnyk family and confirmed that Sofia felt well and was discharged from the hospital completely healthy. Sofia impressed us with her sociability, sincerity, and well‑rounded development.

SC Johnson gave Sofiika a painting that she painted herself. And the parents presented two huge baskets of flowers to SC Johnson and the Future Hearts charity foundation as a sign of gratitude for Sofiika’s saved heart. Thanks to SC Johnson, the Melnyk family’s dream that the child would live a full life came true! The Melnyk family and the Future Hearts charity foundation wholeheartedly thank SC Johnson for love of children and boundless humanity, as well as for the priceless contribution to a healthy future for the children of our country. Thank you for your compassion and mercy; despite the difficult situation in the country, you find time and funds to help those in need. We wish growth and prosperity to SC Johnson!