Polina Svystun

Polinochka was born on 20.10.11 with a birth injury: a cephalohematoma of the right temporal bone and the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. Two weeks later, in the neonatal department, blood was aspirated from the cephalohematoma. In her development she lagged by 1–1.5 months and gained weight poorly. Now Polinochka is two and a half years old. She is active, open, a cheerful chatterbox and a fashionista, inquisitive, independent girl. She has her steadfast point of view on clothing, nutrition, and choice of activities. Polinochka is a creative soul—she loves drawing, sculpting, and cutting. She plays a lot with her older brother Illia, who is finishing 3rd grade. Thanks to their communication and care for each other, she has begun to outpace her peers in development.

A month ago the family received terrible news: Polina was found to have a congenital heart defect – a secondary atrial septal defect. The parents took Polina for examinations in Mukachevo, Uzhhorod, and Kyiv, hoping the diagnosis would not be confirmed. But at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery it was finally confirmed – Polina needed an urgent operation! Earlier, a doctor in Mukachevo had recommended that, if possible and without contraindications, an endovascular intervention to close the defect with an occluder be performed. In Kyiv, after an ultrasound, this option was confirmed and the cost of the occluder was quoted at 44 940 UAH. With the help of relatives and acquaintances the family raised 20 000 UAH, but they could not yet gather the full amount on their own. The family has two children; the mother is on maternity leave and only the father earns an income. He works for a construction company. Since November of last year there have been no payments for work completed, neither from the state nor from other clients, and no new orders have come in. The Svystun family did not have time to collect funds for the occluder, as they were warned that the defect is growing and the operation must be done urgently. The mother turned to the Future Hearts charity foundation for help to obtain the remaining amount needed to purchase the occluder, specifically 24 940 UAH.

After the successful “Children of Peace” campaign carried out 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 assist them in raising the necessary amount for the purchase of occluders (intracardiac implants). At that time the foundation was supporting five children: Natasha Maylatova – 8 years old, Yana Perevoznyk – 17 years old, Natasha Zavyalova – 11 years old, Sofiyka Melnyk – 5 years old, among them Polinochka Svystun – 2 years 7 months.

SC Johnson added the missing amount of 24 940 UAH. On 13.06.14 the Future Hearts charity foundation purchased a Polina occluder. On 24.06.14 at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery an operation was scheduled; the surgery was challenging because during the procedure doctors saw that in two months the defect had grown significantly and the size of the purchased occluder was already too small, and they would not be able to close the defect completely with its help. There was a discussion about the possibility of closing the defect with an occluder at all, and doubts were raised. The surgeons decided to use a larger occluder, and thanks to that decision the defect was closed. On 26.06.14 representatives of SC Johnson and the Future Hearts charity foundation visited the girl in the clinic; in such complex cases the child stays in the clinic for seven days under medical supervision. They talked with the child's mother and father and confirmed that Polynochka is feeling well. The parents promised that as soon as they are able, they will definitely help our foundation raise funds for children with similar problems, because they have gone through this themselves and felt the full difficulty of the situation. As a token of gratitude to SC Johnson and the Future Hearts charity foundation, Polina’s mother handcrafted and gave spinning dolls, which are talismans symbolizing a good heart.

01.07.14 Polinochka and her mother were discharged from the hospital completely healthy. Thanks to SC Johnson, the Svystun family’s dream came true; now their beloved Solynechka Polinochka has a healthy heart! The Svystun family and the Future Hearts Charity Foundation thank SC Johnson from the bottom of their hearts for the invaluable contribution to fulfilling a child’s dream – to have a healthy heart. Thank you for your compassion and kind hearts; despite the difficult situation in our country, you find the time and opportunity to help those in need. We wish continued growth and prosperity to SC Johnson!