My fight for the chance to breathe

      Scoliosis is not the only disease hanging over the child like the sword of Damocles. From the first years of life, Ulyana and her brother Kolya experienced increasing muscle weakness and hypotonia, then it became difficult for them to climb stairs, and their hands began to tremble. Eventually, Ulyana developed scoliosis and subluxation of the hip joint. The cause was only discovered in 2021: both children were diagnosed with SMA: spinal muscular atrophy.
      In accordance with cooperation agreement No. 21 between the Ukrainian Charity Exchange Charitable Foundation and the charity aid operator Pomagaem Charitable Foundation dated 31 August 2020 and supplementary agreement No. 21. 294 dated 2 December 2024, the project ‘My Fight for the Ability to Breathe’ was posted on the website dobro.ua with the aim of attracting charitable donations to pay for the treatment of Ulyana Lifanchuk.
      On 6 February 2025, thanks to the donors of the Ukrainian Charity Exchange, who closed Ulyana's fundraiser, we received 294,840.00 UAH (two hundred and ninety-four thousand eight hundred and forty hryvnias, 00 kopecks) to the Fund's current account to pay for the child's treatment and project administration. 
      At the end of March this year, we paid for Ulyana's long-awaited surgery at the Okhmatdyt Hospital for a total cost of 238,800.00 UAH (two hundred and thirty-eight thousand eight hundred hryvnias, 00 kopecks). The surgery was quite difficult for the girl, as her case is not very simple due to a concomitant SMA disease. The operation lasted about 5.5 hours, but Professor Levytskyi was satisfied with the result. 
      Subsequently, we turned to our regular donors, the Ukrainian Charity Exchange Charitable Foundation, with a request to use the remaining funds in the amount of 56,040.00 UAH (fifty-six thousand forty hryvnias, 00 kopecks) to pay for the extremely important rehabilitation for Ulyana Lifanchuk, which was planned at the Modrichi Medical Rehabilitation Centre, according to letter No. 204 dated 19 May 2025.
      Thanks to the funds received, in July of this year, we paid for Ulyana's rehabilitation at the Modrichi Medical Rehabilitation Centre for a total amount of UAH 42,000.00 (forty-two thousand hryvnias, 00 kopecks). We also paid for the administration of the project.
      After the surgery, it was extremely difficult for the girl, both mentally and physically. Ulyanka needed constant care because she could not move without support. After a two-week rehabilitation course, the child is learning to dress herself and take independent steps again. The recovery process is extremely slow and requires considerable effort, but the doctors assure us that she is doing very well.
In addition to rehabilitation for her primary diagnosis, the girl needs treatment with Spinraza, but unfortunately, the state is currently unable to provide this medication, and without it, it is very difficult for Ulyanka to stand on her own two feet, as SMA takes a lot of strength.
      Her mother, Lilia, is infinitely grateful to all caring people for their help and support. 
      26 September is Ulyanka's birthday. She dreams of walking confidently and independently. We hope that her wish will definitely come true. 
      Currently, all funds transferred from the Ukrainian Charity Exchange have been spent on the child's needs.
      We sincerely thank the donors and partners of dobro.ua for their help, and the UBB team for their many years of cooperation!

Reports

Descriptive project report dated 22.08.2025 Financial report dated 22.08.2025 Consignment agreement 1 Invoice 1

Bank transfer receipt 1 Delivery note 1 Invoice 2 Bank transfer receipt 2

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Project documents

Letter for reallocation of funds Project placement letter