On 19 March 2024, Ivan Smolyuk, born in 2016 in Kyiv, underwent surgery
Ivan is 7 years old and goes to the 2nd grade of a primary school in Kyiv. He does well in school, especially in maths, and his favourite subject is physical education. Vanya goes in for swimming, dancing and football. He trains at the Darnytsia Sports School. He dreams of becoming a professional footballer. Since early childhood, the boy has not been diagnosed with any symptoms indicating a heart defect. Ivan's diagnosis of a congenital heart defect, an atrial septal defect, was only revealed in October 2023. With such a diagnosis, intense physical activity is excluded, and Vanya's dream of success in sports becomes unattainable.
Vanya's heart defect can be corrected using the endovascular method by installing an occluder. The cost of an occluder is too high for Ivan's mother. Ivan's parents do not live together. His mother is currently on maternity leave to care for Ivan's sister, who is under 2 years old. Before the leave, she worked as a translator.
On 19.03.2024, Ivan underwent endovascular surgery. The occluder for the operation was purchased thanks to benefactors who supported Sabina's initiative.
Now Vanya has the opportunity to live a full life as an active schoolboy and have hope for good health without limiting physical activity. And perhaps the boy's dream of professional sports will come true.
We sincerely thank Sabina Musina and every benefactor for their help!
