Hello,
Our son, Georgy Makarenko was born on May 16, 2005. Georgy is diagnosed with
acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He got first sick in March 2007 and was admitted
to the Omsk Hematology unit. After seven and a half months of treatment, he
stayed on supporting therapy at home - when in May 2009 the illness stroke again.
Georgy was re-admitted to the hospital and underwent the high-dose chemotherapy for
three months. After that, we were referred to the Institute of R. Gorbacheva
Institute of Pediatric Hematology and Transplantology in St. Petersburg for a
bone marrow transplant. The transplant is our only hope now! Since we do not
have a matching related donor and no suitable unrelated donors were found in
the international registry, the bone marrow will be transplanted from Georgy
himself (autologous transplantation).
Georgy is a quiet, shy boy. Due to his illness, he spent most of his childhood
at the hospitals, and couldn't quite enjoy a company of other kids. Since then,
he prefers to play alone. He likes to play quiet games: build Lego, listen to
books, color and paint. He also plays at the computer, but generally on his
own.
We live in a small rural community where jobs are scarce. Thanks to everyone
who pitched in, we could only manage to collect enough money for the trip to
St. Petersburg. I left my job to care for Georgy. My husband doesn't have a
full-time job either. He has been taking part-time jobs, but they don't pay
much, especially now. My husband is in St. Petersburg with Georgy and me,
because I am concerned about being here alone without his daily help and
support. If my husband had a job in St. Petersburg, it would help us greatly.
Our other child, Oxana, stayed home with her 75-year-old grandmother. Oxana
is a 9th grade student. She earns good grades and participates in various
contests at her school.
We kindly ask anyone who reads this letter to help us financially with living
expenses and paying for Georgy's treatment. We have to pay out of pocket for
various tests, and our small savings are running out. This is our first month
in St. Petersburg and so far, we weren't lucky to land the jobs. And we don't
have anyone back home to support us either. We will continue looking for work,
but please consider supporting us in the meantime. Thank you so much for your
help in advance!
Valentina and Vladimir Makarenko,
Gosha's parents
Contact phone:
+7 (952) 233-56-87 (Valentina)
+7 (911) 769-47-72 (Vladimir)
Update as of December 8, 2009.
Gosha recovered after complications and was transferred to his room from
the intensive care unit. He feels relatively well. His family needs financial
support, as Gosha's father is still looking for a job in St. Petersburg
and will be grateful for any offers (please call him at contact phones
numbers).
Update as of December 20, 2009.
Gosha does not walk much now and he really needs a wheelchair
for some time. Please help.
Update as of January 10, 2010.
On January 4-5, Gosha underwent bone marrow transplantation.
He does not feel well. For the 4th day he is having temperature
at 38C and strong cough. His mom asked us to thank Margarita
for finding a wheelchair for Gosha.
Update as of January 27, 2010.
Gosha feels well. Yesterday doctors discharged him for outpatient monitoring
and Gosha is already at the rented apartment.
Update as of February 17, 2010.
Gosha suffers from acute skin and mucous tissue of his eyes GVHD.
He receives immunosuppressive therapy and is now at the clinic
under the doctors' watch.
CT scan showed presence of an infiltrate in his lungs and Gosha
was prescribed Vfend (200 mg a day).
Please help us with buying this medication!
Update as of March 26, 2010.
Gosha is now monitored as an outpatient. He still needs Vfend at 400 mg
a day. Due to intake of hormonal medications, Gosha developed steroid
diabetes. He needs Lantus and NovoRapid insulin pens.
Update as of May 24, 2010.
With cancellation of hormonal therapy, Gosha's sugar levels retuned to normal.
He does not need insulin now. Gosha started to walk, but not very confidently.
We are gradually getting skin GVHD under control. He is still taking
anti-fungal drugs. We are very grateful to everyone for their support.
Gosha's mom
Update as of June 4, 2010.
Egor is doing well, except for persisting limited skin GVHD symptoms.
Update as of June 29, 2010.
Gosha is at the clinic on treatment. He had a relapse, so he was
administered high-dosage anti-relapse chemotherapy under FLAG protocol
and his blood counts dropped.
An infusion of donor's lymphocytes was planned, but Gosha developed
skin GVHD. He really misses home and his sister Oksana, whom he did not
see since November 3, 2009.
We'd like to ask those who read our news to help us buy train
tickets for Gosha's sister.
We are grateful in advance to everyone who responds.
Gosha's mom
Update as of July 22, 2010.
After high-dose chemotherapy, Gosha's test results worsened.
He now urgently needs Heptral. Gosha is in satisfactory condition.
Gosha's mom
Update as of August 2, 2010.
Gosha currently has GVHD in his liver and has high bilirubin. He needs
therapy with Heptral. CT scan of his lungs showed changes, and Gosha is
receiving antifungal drug Cancidas. Overall, he is in a good condition.
We stay at the day hospital. Gosha had a visit from his sister Oksana and
her was very happy to see her. We would like to thank everyone who helped
us buy the tickets.
Gosha's mom
Update as of August 4, 2010.
Unfortunately, Gosha's bilirubin level is not going down yet.
He was prescribed additional drugs. For now, he cannot walk far,
so we take him around on a stroller. He can walk up the stairs by himself.
Gosha was referred for bronchoscopy to determine the nature of the lesions
in his lungs. He feels well and still takes Vfend, Heptral and Albumin.
Gosha's mom
Update as of October 6, 2010.
Gosha is still being monitored at the day hospital.
It is still difficult for him to walk long distances, but he
tries to walk up and down the stairs. His transaminase and
bilirubin are still high. Gosha feels rather well and
continues to take Vfend.
Valentina, Gosha's mom
Update as of October 18, 2010.
Georgy is now at the day hospital. He feels OK and continues taking Vfend.
Update as of November 3, 2010.
Unfortunately, control puncture showed that Gosha got blasts in
his bone marrow. He is now at the hospital and is planned to undergo
a cycle of chemotherapy with Temodal, Irinotecan and Dasatinib.
Our hopes are resting on success of this therapy, as Gosha was
not treated with these medications before. He is still taking
Vfend and feels rather well, but we are very worried whether
he will be able to tolerate the upcoming therapy.
Gosha's mom
Update as of December 6, 2010.
Gosha achieved remission. He tolerated chemotherapy pretty well, but
there is suspected intestinal GVHD. Gosha has no appetite, so he now
receives enteral formula Modulen.
Gosha is at the day hospital and goes for IVs every day. We try to
fight the bad moods, so we can overcome the disease faster.
Gosha's mom
Update as of December 24, 2010.
Georgy is at the day hospital, feels well, but there are some
complications: intestinal GVHD and significant weight loss.
He takes hormones, Entocort and Vfend. Gosha is still in remission.
We hope that everything will stay well and he would recover.
At this time Gosha waits for Santa Claus and presents.
Gosha's mother
Update as of January 17, 2011.
Gosha is being monitored at the day hospital. A colonoscopy
and a puncture are planned. After therapy with ubiquinone Gosha
started walking and can walk up the stairs. With hormonal therapy
he gained weight. Gosha became happier, draws a lot and plays
with Legos. He was very happy to get gifts from Santa Claus.
Gosha's mom
Update as of February 15, 2011.
Gosha is still monitored at the day hospital. He feels rather well, draws and plays a lot.
On February 8th he started a cycle of chemotherapy. We are hoping there will not be any
complications. I would like to thank everyone who has been helping us and reads about us
and wishes Georgy well.
Gosha's mom
Update as of March 12, 2011.
Gosha underwent another chemotherapy cycle. His appetite is a little lower,
but he feels well. His treating doctor allowed us to visit home until
the end of March. And now Gosha is eagerly awaiting seeing his sister
whom he misses very much.
Gosha's mom
Update as of April 12, 2011.
We returned to St. Petersburg for treatment. Gosha did not want
to leave home! He feels pretty well, runs up and down
the stairs and is again interested in playing with legos and clay. He
started maintenance therapy and we hope he will tolerate it well.
Gosha's mom
Update as of May 4, 2011.
Gosha was administered a maintenance chemotherapy course and allowed to
go home for a month. The boy was happy about that as he was feeling very
homesick. I would like to thank all of you for your help!
Gosha's mother
Update as of July 5, 2011.
Gosha returned to the clinic for another cycle of chemotherapy
under maintenance protocol. He rested well at home - ran a lot,
played, and feels great, except for a little cough. A puncture and
other tests are scheduled for July 5th.
Gosha's mom
Update as of September 15, 2011.
Gosha completed planned tests and returned home. Based on
control puncture, he is in remission. His blood counts are normal.
The next examination is scheduled in two months.
Update as of October 30, 2011.
Georgy rested at home for two months and was feeling very well.
We went for tests regularly and all was within norm. Gosha played
outside a lot. He is now in St. Petersburg to continue maintenance
chemotherapy.
Gosha's mom
Update as of November 12, 2011.
Gosha continues maintenance therapy under RIST protocol and
he tolerates it well. He is in remission.
Beneficiary:
Non-Profit Organization
"AdVita Charitable Foundation"
acc. 40703840712001000468 Beneficiary Bank:
JSC Bank Otkritie, Moscow
SWIFT: RUDL RU MM
For Petrovskiy branch,
St.Petersburg
SWIFT: RUDL RU M1PET Adress of Beneficiary Bank:
191186, Saint-Petersburg Russia,
Nevsky pr. 26
Correspondent Bank #1:
Bank of New York Mellon,
New York, USA
SWIFT: IRVT US 3N Correspondent Account No:
8901003069
Correspondent Bank #2:
JP Morgan Chase Bank,
New York, USA
SWIFT: CHAS US 33 Correspondent Account No:
822839205
*,**
Beneficiary:
Non-Profit Organization
"AdVita Charitable Foundation"
acc. 40703978312001000468 Beneficiary Bank:
JSC Bank Otkritie, Moscow
SWIFT RUDL RU MM
For Petrovskiy branch,
St.Petersburg
SWIFT RUDL RU M1PET Adress of Beneficiary Bank:
191186, Saint-Petersburg Russia,
Nevsky pr. 26
Correspondent Bank #1:
Deutsche Bank AG,
SWIFT: DEUT DE FF Correspondent Account No:
9477134
Correspondent Bank #2:
Commerzbank AG,
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
SWIFT: COBA DE FF Correspondent Account No:
400886482900
*,**
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