The Birthday. Svitlana Panaiotidi

My name is Svitlana Panaiotidi. I am a former Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, mother of a son and stepmother to three daughters, and traditionally I want to give life to those who need it most!

Every year in Ukraine, about 4,000 children are born with congenital heart disease. For many of them, life begins with a struggle - heart implants and surgeries that could change their fate are very expensive. For the parents of these children, this becomes an insurmountable obstacle, as most of them simply cannot afford to pay for such complex interventions.

Why is it important? Children's hearts need our help because every surgery is a chance for a healthy and happy future. Thanks to endovascular surgeries, children can recover faster and return to active life without large scars and prolonged suffering. But without financial support, these operations remain unaffordable for many.

Why can you help?

Each of us can be a part of this miracle. When we raise funds together, we don't just help one child - we give hope to many families. The life of a little child should not depend on the capacity of their parents' wallets. Your support can save a child's heart and give them a happy future!

My goal is to raise funds for heart implants for children at the Amosov Institute. These implants are not a luxury, they are the only chance for salvation!

Why I am raising funds for implants again:

The purchase of heart implants, where the cost of one sometimes reaches 134,000 hryvnias, is an unaffordable and catastrophically large sum for an ordinary Ukrainian family. That's why the dobro.ua platform, in partnership with the Hearts of the Future charity foundation, has been supporting the national programme, the Save the Heart project, for more than 11 years, which aims to unite around the problem and provide support to children with congenital heart disease thanks to caring people and companies. I have been a part of this project since 2016 and do my best to make sure that there are more children saved. And thanks to my like-minded people, 105 children from all over Ukraine who needed heart surgery have been saved. In the darkest of times, it warms my heart to know that a healthy heart is beating somewhere, and this was made possible by my caring people.

Now, during the war, it is especially important to help children who have not stopped being sick and are fighting their own war against disease.

How can you help?

1. Donate any amount to this piggy bank - even a small contribution brings us closer to the goal.

2. Share my collection - together we can attract more people to a good cause!

Depending on the amount raised, we will be able to save children with heart defects.

Therefore, the more I raise for the fundraiser, the more children will be able to undergo surgery. Each of us can do something incredible. Together we will give a chance for life to those who need it!

Thank you for your kindness and support!