Dear friends.

The fund-raising for Zhora's treatment was finished. Thank you very much for help!

Georgy Smolyar is 14. He was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome (RAEB). Based on the conclusion of Prof. Afanasiev, Director of Hematology Center of Pavlov Medical University in St. Petersburg, the boy needs a bone marrow transplant. This operation is complex and costly. If performed at the BMT clinic at the Medical University, it would cost 35,000 euros (see letter from the clinic).
In addition, we found another clinic that agreed to perform the operation for free. The clinic is in the state of Utah, USA. Unfortunately, Georgy's family has limited financial means. The family would have to pay for transporting the boy to the clinic and meals and lodging for him and his mother pre- and post-operation. The minimal amount needed is $10,000. We are asking everyone to help us collect this amount.

Thank you in advance,
Smolyar family

Update as of February 3, 2004. Lately, several significant events happened in Georgy's life. At first, Georgy and his mother visited DuPont Hospital for Children for examination and immunological typing. While there, American doctors determined transformation of Georgy's myelodysplastic syndrome into acute myeloblastic leukemia.
It was necessary to start intensive chemotherapy within a week, and bone marrow transplant would be possible only after achieving steady remission. Luckily, St. Jude Children's Hospital, which accepts children from around the world, offered us treatment worth of approximately $200,000 – absolutely free! The chemotherapy has already begun. It will take 1.5 or 2 months.
We are continuing collecting donations, because Georgy and his mother will need to pay for meals and lodging during the extended time they will be staying and receiving treatment in US.

Update as of March 22, 2004. Zhora is finished with two chemotherapy blocks. He was seriously affected by the therapy, as it usually happens, but he pulled through. Right now he is recovering. Last Sunday, his temperature suddenly rose to 39.8 C. He was immediately hospitalized, examined for viruses and given antibiotics. Next Tuesday, we are scheduled to have another puncture.

Update as of April 1, 2004. The results of the puncture taken after the second chemotherapy block and prior to the beginning of the third were good. However, the treatment still continues, and we will go through at least two more chemotherapy blocks.
The third block was the most difficult for Zhora, as he was receiving very high dosage of chemicals, in accordance with protocol. Thank God, we are over three blocks by now, and, most importantly, the results are very encouraging, and there were no surprises so far. We have a real hope for the recovery and it matters most to us.
I would like to request your help with paying for immigration cards, which we need to extend. This is not a difficult process, but we have to pay $140 per document, and we are out of money. We have to apply no later than May; otherwise, we could be deported regardless of Zhora's condition. I cannot expect any help from home, as my oldest son can barely support himself, while working two jobs. I will be very grateful for help.
Natasha Smolyar

Update as of May 12, 2004. After we finished the fourth chemotherapy course, Zhora had another crisis with high temperature (40.2C) that started on May 3rd. It happened the same way as in the past. Zhora's temperature rose within minutes. In the last week, he has been staying at the hospital where he receives 2 antibiotics three times a day. He also receives transfusions of blood and thrombocytes every 2-3 days. Lately, Zhora lost a lot of weight; he weighs only 46 kg and his height is 165 cm.
Despite Zhora's current condition, his doctors assure me that everything is under control. And I see it too. The important thing is that his test results are good. His weight should get back to normal later on.
Natasha Smolyar

Update as of May 24, 2004. We are waiting for the fifth chemotherapy course. It should have started this week, but it was delayed for a week since Zhora's leukocytes stayed at the low level of 0.1.
Zhora is still very weakened, as he lost over 3 kg of weight overall. His doctors were concerned that Zhora continued losing weight and he was given additional nutrition (high-calorie juices). Thanks to extra nutrition, he went to 49.2 kg from 46.3kg.
Zhora's blood and thrombocyte levels at times reach very low levels (hemoglobin – 60 and thrombocytes – 7). It is hard for me to imagine how children receiving treatment in Ukraine survive in this condition. The doctors from the Hematology department in our city told me that if patients in their department had the same test results, they could lose their jobs.
Despite the analyses, Zhora is holding on very well - in any case, better than his mom. He has a lot of patience and endurance. Unfortunately, we were told that the fifth chemotherapy course would be as difficult as the third (which was the hardest).
Natasha Smolyar

Update as of June 11, 2004. On June 8th, Zhora had another puncture, and on the 9th he started the fifth, and hopefully final, chemotherapy course. We had a relatively long break this time. The chemotherapy was delayed due to low level of leukocytes. They stayed at 0.1 for almost a month. Only starting last Wednesday, the leukocyte level started to increase again.
The chemotherapy began with the leukocyte level of 1.3, hemoglobin of 83 and thrombocytes of 38. The results were good again, as there were no blasts! Zhora and I were really happy to learn about that. We cannot wait to see the results of the control test, which will be given once the therapy is over.
Natasha Smolyar

Update as of September 8, 2004. Zhora came back to home!

Update as of February 9, 2010. Zhora is doing well. He wrote to Advita Fund with a request to help his mother. This is what Zhora wrote:

"We have another emergency. I would like to tell you about a problem with my mom. The main thing is that mom was found to have a brain tumor. It lies tightly next to pituitary gland and it is 12 x 15 mm in size.
We mobilized everyone in Kherson right away. Mom went for MRI. Our friends helped us to get in touch with the President Administration clinic in Kiev (Feofania). Mom went there and the diagnosis was confirmed. She got a prescription to stop the tumor growth and was told to come for tests every three months. If her vision stays good, she needs to come to the clinic in spring to continue therapy.
But yesterday mom went to a consultation with neurosurgeon in Kherson and was told that she should not wait till spring to do something. The situation is much worse, and she urgently needs Cyber-Knife surgery. We have this equipment in Ukraine, but an operation would cost $20,000".

Advita Fund and Advita Fund USA plan to ask specialists in the US for a consultation to select the best treatment strategy for Natasha.

Update as of March 11, 2010. Thanks to help from Advita Fund USA, my mom's medical documents were reviewed by several American neurosurgeons. All of them agreed that Cyber-knife surgery is not a good option for her. She was recommended to visit Burdenko Institute in Moscow.
Yesterday, my mom had MRI with contrast at Burdenko Institute. Compared to the last MRI, the tumor grew by 1 cm. She was recommended to undergo urgent brain surgery.
The cost of the operation is 155,000 rubles. We will be very grateful for any help!
Zhora Smolyar

Update as of March 30, 2010. Konstantin Habensky Fund had paid for Natalia Smolyar's surgery. Natalia is already in Moscow and she is staying with her relatives near Serpukhov. When a room in Burdenko Research Institute frees up, she will be invited in for surgery. The preliminary operation date is April 15th.

Update as of April 20, 2010. Natalia's surgery was long and there were some complications, but now everything is well. Natasha is already in the room and in a couple of days she will be allowed to get up. She is in a quiet mood.
Pavel, volunteer in Moscow.

Update as of April 30, 2010. Yesterday Natalia was already discharged from the hospital. The surgery was not without complications, but mostly as planned. The tumor was removed. Natasha was told that she will have frequent headaches for some time, but it is to be expected. In six months she was recommended to undergo CT scan to evaluate her condition.
Pavel, volunteer in Moscow

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