New heart for Vania

Ivan Kovriga is only 17. His heart is large, too large. It doesn't allow him to live. In August 2013 his life was divided into "before" and "after." "Before" Ivan was a cheerful guy: he was involved in ballroom dancing, wrestled, spent a lot of time with his friends and felt in love. He wanted to graduate from the school, enter to the university and become a journalist. So many plans for this life, so many bright dreams. But now Vania needs a new heart to live. He needs it as soon as possible, because there's no time left.

Ivan Kovriga is only 17. His heart is large, too large. It doesn't allow him to live. In August 2013 his life was divided into "before" and "after." "Before" Ivan was a cheerful guy: he was involved in ballroom dancing, wrestled, spent a lot of time with his friends and felt in love. He wanted to graduate from the school, enter to the university and become a journalist. So many plans for this life, so many bright dreams. But now Vania needs a new heart to live. He needs it as soon as possible, because there's no time left.

"After" everything's changed. The trouble came suddenly. Once, in the middle of summer, Ivan began to cough. He thought, that it was a cold and took candy mints. He even couldn't imagine, that his heart had already increased in size. It pressed on the lugs and didn't give him to breath. Professor of the Kiev Heart Center diagnosed cardiomyopathy. It means that the size of Ivan's heart is more than in four times bigger , than the size of adult human heart. " With this heart he will live not more, than two years" – told the doctor to Ivan's mother. Ivan heard it and told to his mother: "Don't worry. I will live. I promise"

Since then Ivan has been treated. His doctors don't allowed him to go to school. That's why teachers come to him. Ivan doesn't complain, but he is very tired from hospitals and misses the normal life. He tries not to think about illness, but it's impossible. Every day he has to take 15 pills without water. During the day he is allowed to drink only four hundred grams of liquid. Not more. In other way this heart can stop in every minute.

Ivan had to endure a lot. He was used, when somebody looks at him with compassion. And even the word "disabled" or "terminally ill" doesn't scare him anymore. Ivan bravely endured drips and injections. He has no other choice. Now he needs a heart transplant. Without this surgery his life will finish. However, due to the problems in the Ukrainian legislation, such transactions are extremely rare. Ukrainian doctors had transplanted only 8 hearts for the last 15 years. And Ivan can't wait. That's why Ivan is going to go for this operation to Belarus. Belarusian doctors are ready to help him. But this surgery costs one hundred thousand dollars. Ivan's parents had worked during all their lives, but they don't have so much money. It's very painful for them to realize that they can't help their own son to survive.

But together we can help him. Ivan needs your help. We don't have too much time to raise money. The sick heart will not wait.

With new heart Ivan will be able to grow up, marry and become a journalist, as he dreams. This kind and smart guy wants to live. He deserves it!

On UBB we are going to raise a part of the necessary amount for the heart transplant – 500 000 UAH.

Name: Ivan I. Kovryha, born 07.07.1998

Location: Rivne

Diagnosis: dilated cardiomyopathy