To breathe for son. 5

"Thank you for my life! Thank you for your work and for the fact that with your support, you extend my life and give me more time to spend with my little boy," Lena writes us every time she receives a package of medications. She is not exaggerating at all. The life of this young woman is fully dependent on whether she can afford to pay for her medications, and whether anybody can help her do so.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic illness which affects the entire body. The lungs get damaged, and so does the entire digestive system, including the liver and the pancreas. Diabetes often becomes a secondary diagnosis. Lena has been lucky so far – she only has glucose intolerance. That means that she does not have diabetes yet, but regular blood glucose checks are necessary. Her liver is holding on so far but needs supporting medications to continue doing so. Her lungs are affected the most. They are fairly badly damaged – sometimes Lena has to use an oxygen concentrator – but still, there is something to fight for. If Lena has all the necessary medications and treatments, she will be able to continue living. The only problem is that all these things are very expensive – far more expensive than an ordinary family can afford. Additionally, all these expenses are ongoing, the treatment of cystic fibrosis is multifaceted and constant, all of one's life, every single day, and one cannot take breaks in the treatment.

But the most important thing is that it is indeed possible to live with cystic fibrosis. No matter how serious this illness is, the medications really do help. That's what makes it so much harder when a person simply cannot afford to buy these medications. But you know – and so do we – that when a person is in trouble and asks for help, someone will always help that person. We believe in you and hope for your help.

Earlier on the UBB we already collected money for Lena. You can see the previous projects by following the link.

Name: Tara Olena, 03.07.1987

City: Uzhgorod

Diagnosis: cystic fibrosis with pancreatic insufficiency, chronic bronchitis with obstructive component, exacerbation stage, multiple bronchiectases, cholestatic hepatitis, gallbladder hypoplasia, cholelithiasis, impaired glucose tolerance, bilateral inguinal hernia