Samoilenko Nastia

Eight‑year‑old Nastuna has a congenital heart defect—a secondary interatrial septal defect that was diagnosed when she was just 9 months old. At that time there was no urgent need for surgery, and doctors advised only observation, hoping the defect might close on its own. Now the physicians recommend urgent correction of the defect with an endovascular intervention, as the defect has begun to enlarge and could seriously affect the child’s health. Therefore, Nastuna urgently needs an operation to implant an intracardiac device (occluder).

Nastunya was born into a large family of a military officer. Her mother is currently on maternity leave. Her youngest child is 7 months old, her older son is 10 years old, and Nastunya is 8. The family's sole breadwinner is the father, a military officer serving in the rocket forces of Kremenchuk. He has been away from home for almost two months. The family lives in the village of Kryvushi in an unfinished house, because renting an apartment in the city is beyond their means. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has not provided an apartment in the 18 years of his service. They have repeatedly appealed for assistance to the charitable foundation “Save Life” at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, but have received no help. The parents are not nearby; they live in the Kherson region.

April 15 2014 – a girl was hospitalized at the clinic where she was scheduled for surgery, but unfortunately the family did not have enough money to purchase the implant. To cover the cost of this implant (occluder), 41 650 UAH is needed. By their own efforts they have already raised 20 000 UAH – with the help of parents and friends. They have nowhere else to turn for assistance. Therefore we appeal to those who are not indifferent to our sorrow to help, as there is still 21 650 UAH missing – they cannot find that amount on their own.

Help Nastusia overcome this disease and continue living a full life. So she can enjoy her favorite activities: playing the piano, dancing, riding a bike, and swimming in the river. And to make her cherished dream come true: becoming a gymnast, which, unfortunately, with this illness may remain only a dream. Don't be indifferent!

A mother reached out to our foundation and told us that Nastia loves playing the piano, dancing, riding her bike, and swimming in the river. She also shared Nastia’s cherished dream: to become a gymnast—a dream that, because of her condition, may remain just that. Of course we immediately posted Nastia’s story on our website and began raising funds. Because the child urgently needs surgery, we turned to our partners—the Ukrainian Charity Exchange—to help Nastusia Samoylenko get a healthy heart and fulfill her dream. The project launched on 28.04.14. Funds were collected through an online service. In roughly a month, the Ukrainian Charity Exchange raised 5,980 UAH. The project involved 24 donors, and an additional 14,170 UAH was anonymously donated to the Future Hearts Charity Foundation for Nastusia, plus 1,500 UAH from Tikun Alina Oleksandrivna. Thanks to all the compassionate and caring people, the necessary amount was gathered.

02.06.2014 Nastunya was hospitalized at the Scientific and Practical Center of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, and on 04.06.14 a successful operation was performed. We are very happy for Nastunya and hope that soon her dream of becoming a gymnast will definitely come true! From the bottom of our hearts we thank the entire UBB team for their help in raising funds for the project “Save Nastunya Samoylenko’s Little Heart.” Thank you for your diligent work and professionalism, for your humanity and inexhaustible compassion! We also express huge gratitude to all donors for their assistance and for not being indifferent to the fates of other people. Our united hearts create miracles!

Full name: Samoylenko Anastasiia Andriiivna, 03.03.2006

City: Kremenchuk, Poltava region

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

All details and documentation are here.