News December 2025

On 3 December, the world celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Its purpose is to remind us of the dignity, equal opportunities and right of every person to support and a full life.

We are asking for help for Melania, who dreams of walking, running and playing with her friends. Her path to her dream is very long: in her 12 years, she has undergone eight complex orthopaedic operations. The last one was in September.

Melania is now training her leg at home — she walks a little, does exercises, although sometimes it still hurts. But her mood is wonderful: Melania writes letters to Saint Nicholas and waits for snow, like all children.

But new challenges lie ahead for the girl.

In January, she will undergo surgery on her right leg. Doctors will literally dismantle her foot bone by bone and install metal structures. And then there will be a tenth operation: removal of old structures from her knees and left hip. All procedures are planned to be performed at the Pirogov Dnipro Medical and Surgical Centre.

In order for Melania to be able to go outside on her own one winter morning and feel the snow crunching softly under her feet, a considerable amount of money needs to be raised to cover two operations, anaesthesia, examinations, hospitalisation, a set of metal structures and instruments for removing implants.

Friends, let's support Melania together and make her dream come true!