Under double pressure

Illia was diagnosed with diabetes a year ago in Poland, where he was forced to move due to the constant shelling of Marganets. Insulin preparations have to be injected 4 times a day. An insulin pump will replace injections, keep the boy’s sugar levels under control, and avoid complications. 

Before the war, Illialived an ordinary life. He studied in the 7th grade, showing a special interest in geography, biology, and computer science. He loved to cook and was fond of photographing nature and animals. In August 2022, shelling of the city intensified – rockets were exploding closer and closer to home. There is no basement in the house, so they hid behind two walls. Saving her life and that of her children, the mother Anna was evacuated to Poland.

Two weeks later, Illia began to complain of weakness and severe thirst. Body weight dropped sharply. As a result, the boy was admitted to the hospital with a critical glucose level of 23 mmol/l. There he was prescribed two insulin drugs: Tresiba and Fiasp. In Ukraine, Fiasp will later be replaced by Novorapid, since it is not registered in the country for use in children.

In March 2023, the family returned to their homeland, missing their relatives and suffering from the language barrier. Their frontline city is still under constant shelling – the enemy is on the other side of the Dnipro in Energodar. In October, a shell exploded near the house, shattering windows and destroying a fence.

Due to chronic stress and teenage hormonal surges, glucose can fluctuate from 2.5 to 27 with a norm of 5. Therefore, additional insulin injections and finger pricks are often required.

When the opportunity arises, Anna buys her son an expensive sensor – then for 14 days Illia gets rid of painful glucose control, during which time the wounds on his fingers heal.

Anna is raising her children alone; the father limited himself to paying alimony. She alone cannot raise money to purchase a pump and consumables to save her son from multiple insulin injections. Illia often skips meals to avoid having to take a painful injection.

Friends, let's support Illia financially! The pump will relieve him from pain, prevent critical fluctuations in glucose, and prevent the development of complications in the blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, heart, and vision.