News August 2025

Twelve-year-old Melania from Kryvyi Rih dreams of walking and playing like all children. She imagines herself wearing a beautiful dress and elegant bows as she walks into her fifth-grade classroom. But the road to her dream is very long and difficult – the girl has already undergone seven difficult orthopaedic operations.

The last operation was in April. Recently, Melania's stitches were removed, and she can now stand briefly in orthoses in a verticaliser and sit down.

But the struggle to be able to walk continues. It is still painful for Melania to stand – the bones in her feet are deformed.

To restore the natural state of the foot, doctors will perform an eighth operation in August: they will literally dismantle the foot bone by bone, remove bone growths, and install metal structures. Two months later, a similar operation will be performed on the other leg. And then a tenth operation: removal of old structures from the knees and left thigh.

All surgical procedures will be performed at the Pirogov Dnipro Medical and Surgical Centre. Melasha will wear a cast for several months, followed by a long rehabilitation period.

Her mother, grandmother and grandfather are fighting for the child's health. We have known the family for over nine years and have supported Melasha many times.

Now she needs our help again. We need to raise funds to pay for three surgeries, anaesthesia, examinations, hospitalisation, metal structures and instruments for implant removal. Let's help Melania get back on her feet!