Hello,
My name is Olga Malygina. I am married and have two children. My oldest
daughter is named Alena and she will turn 6 soon. My youngest, Daniel, is 11
months old.
When Danya was 9 months old, he got sick. We though he had a cold, but it
turned out it is a blood cancer. I was concerned about my son's strangely
enlarged lymph nodes practically since birth. But the doctors were telling
me that it is only a normal reaction to a cold virus and it will go away with
time. But one day, after our pediatrician once again only offered to monitor
the symptoms, my husband and I decided to call ambulance. On May 13th we were
admitted to Archangelsk Regional Children's Clinical hospital. Right after a
blood test, we were told that Danya has myeloblastic leukemia, high risk group.
For a month, we were on treatment in St. Petersburg. Danya underwent a cycle
of chemotherapy, but there was no effect. Then the doctors offered us to go
to R. Gorbacheva Institute of Pediatric Hematology and Transplantology. When
we got to St. Petersburg, we were told right away that the treatment will be
very expensive and difficult. Danya will need to undergo high-dose chemotherapy
and bone marrow transplantation. Our older daughter will need to come here
too so that after series of tests it would be determined whether she matches
her brother as a donor or not.
I do not work as this time, as I am on maternity leave. We live on my husband's
salary. We have no relatives in St. Petersburg so we have to rent an apartment.
Danya needs long-term therapy with Zovirax and diapers. Please help us! We cannot
cope with this on our own.
Update as of August 2, 2010.
We hoped that Danya will get cured with chemotherapy only, and if
transplantation becomes necessary, his sister would match as a donor.
Danya underwent second chemotherapy cycle. The preliminary tests
showed that Danya achieved remission. We were so happy about this victory.
However, the next series of tests were disappointing: cancerous cells
remained. Now Danya's only chance to live is to undergo bone marrow
transplantation from an unrelated donor (our daughter did not match
as a donor).
The donor search at the Internaitonal registry requires 15,000 euros,
and additional 2,500 euros are needed to pay for delivery of transplant
to St. Petersburg.
We don't know where to find so much money, when my husband is the only
breadwinner and his salary is very modest.
I know that there are good people who can help us. Danya has a chance
to get well. He is still so little (he just turned 1) and is only starting
to learn about the world around him. Danya learned to say "mama"
and "papa" and he tries to take his first steps. His smiles
melt everyone's hearts. I really want this very dear to me little guy
to get well. But it is a question of money.
Please help us if you can. Give Danya a chance to live!
Danya's mom
Update as of October 6, 2010.
The bill for a donor search is completely paid. Danya is now in Archangelsk
where he undergoes the last chemotherapy cycle.
Update as of February 22, 2011.
During chemotherapy, Danya developed pneumonia. He is now in intensive
care unit under doctors' watch. His condition is stable.
A donor was found and transplantation was scheduled for the end
of March. We urgently need to raise 2,500 euros for delivery of transplant.
Update as of March 28, 2011.
The doctors managed to take pneumonia under control and the boy has
been transferred to the regular ward from the intensive care unit.
Unfortunately there was no response to the anti-relapse chemotherapy
course, but the doctors decided to perform the transplantation in any
case since all other treatment methods have already been used.
The boy is now administered chemotherapy before the transplantation
which is scheduled for April 1.
