Charity points that save little hearts

This project was created as part of Vodafone Ukraine's charity program "A Good Deed as a Gift".

Vodafone Ukraine subscribers transfer bonuses from My Vodafone to support children who need medical care.

Eight children are currently waiting for surgery due to congenital heart defects. The defect is present from birth, but may not manifest itself for a long time. The body copes with it – until a certain point. When its resources are exhausted, the condition deteriorates rapidly.

Endovascular surgery with an occluder solves the problem radically and without major surgical intervention – the child is discharged after a few days. But those waiting in line are the ones whose families cannot afford an implant costing up to 140,000 UAH.

These eight children are waiting. And your bonuses are already helping!

1. Polina Savchuk, aged 2, Vinnytsia region. Doctors recently diagnosed Polina with a congenital heart defect, specifically a secondary atrial septal defect. Because of this defect, her heart is working under additional strain, which may lead to serious complications over time. The little girl requires urgent endovascular surgery to have a special occluder fitted. This will help correct the defect and give Polina the chance to grow up healthy. Polinka’s mum is on maternity leave and only her dad is working, so the family cannot afford to pay for the expensive treatment themselves. Support from Vodafone Ukraine subscribers will help Polinka receive the necessary treatment in time and give her the chance of a happy childhood and a fulfilling future. The cost of the implant is 140,598 UAH. 

2. Gordii Bychkov, aged 2, Poltava region. Since birth, Gordii has been battling a congenital heart defect — a patent ductus arteriosus. Since being diagnosed, the boy has been under the constant supervision of cardiologists, but the ductus has not closed on its own. Doctors recommend that endovascular closure of the heart defect be carried out as soon as possible. Gordii’s mum is on maternity leave, and his dad is a member of the armed forces. The family cannot afford to purchase the expensive occluder themselves. The cost of the implant is 49,500 UAH.

3. Margarita Pivtorak, age 12, Odesa Region. Since birth, Margarita has lived with a congenital heart defect and is under the constant care of cardiologists. Recent examinations have shown that she needs surgery to have a special occluder implanted. The cost of the implant is beyond the family’s means. Support from Vodafone Ukraine’s donors will help give Margarita a chance at a healthy and fulfilling life in a timely manner. The cost of the occluder is 140,598 UAH.

4. Iryna Melnyk, 12 years old, Vinnytsia Oblast. Iryna is an active and cheerful girl who loves rowing. It was during a medical examination before the Ukrainian championship that doctors unexpectedly discovered she had a congenital heart defect—a secondary atrial septal defect. Despite the diagnosis, Iryna won first place in the competition, but now, to protect her health, she needs to undergo endovascular surgery to have an occluder implanted as soon as possible.  Iryna’s father is serving in the Ukrainian military, and her mother works. The family cannot afford to purchase the expensive occluder on their own.  The cost of the implant is 140,598 UAH.  

5. Nadiya Feger, 9 years old, Kyiv Oblast. Nadiya has lived with a congenital heart defect since infancy. The condition was diagnosed when she was 8 months old. Doctors now recommend endovascular surgery to implant an occluder to correct the heart defect. Nadiya’s mother works as a preschool teacher, and her father is a member of the military. The family is doing everything they can for their daughter, but they cannot afford to purchase the expensive occluder on their own. The cost of the implant is 140,598 UAH.  

6. Daria Koval, 14 years old, Vinnytsia Oblast. At birth, Daria was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect—an atrial septal defect. Since then, she has been under constant medical supervision and undergoes regular checkups in Vinnytsia and Kyiv. Doctors are now recommending that Daria undergo surgery to have an occluder implanted. Daria’s father is a member of the military. The family has two children. The cost of the implant, 140,598 UAH, is unaffordable for the family.

7. Ivan Ivasyuk, age 8, Chernivtsi Oblast. Ivan was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect when he was six months old. Since then, Ivan has been under medical supervision and undergoes regular checkups. This year, during pre-school checkups, doctors reported that the defect measures 10 mm and will not close on its own. Ivan needs an endovascular procedure to implant an occluder. His mother is raising two children on her own. The cost of the necessary implant is beyond the family’s means. The cost of the implant is 140,598 UAH. 

8. Anna Kovalyova, age 3, Vinnytsia Oblast. Anna was diagnosed with a patent ductus arteriosus at two months of age. The family remained under medical supervision and hoped that it would close on its own over time. However, during an examination at age two, it was discovered that the duct had enlarged. Doctors now recommend endovascular surgery with the placement of an occluder to close the duct and prevent possible complications. The family is raising two children. The mother is on maternity leave, and the father’s income is the family’s main source of income. The family cannot afford to pay for the necessary implant on their own. The cost of the implant is 116,202 UAH.