Help Lithuanian Kids in their Battle with Cancer

This summer, over the period from June through August the charitable foundation Mamu Unija had provided 44 879,72 USDof aid for children suffering from oncological diseases as well as support for their families. These funds were used to acquire non-covered drugs, essential nursing care items, for supporting children's treatment abroad and for funding their trips to hospitals and back, as well as for children's birthdays and dreams. Funding was allocated for the treatment of Laurynas, Domas and Maksimilijanas in Switzerland. We would also like to express our gratitude to global giving donors who contributed 374,86 USD.

Over the period of three months the trips to Switzerland were conducted as follows: Maksimilijanas travelled once, Laurynas – twice and Domas – twice. Trip and treatment expenses were covered by a sum of 5 969,61 USD

Domas's mum was happy “our little Domas and his family are sending their greetings! After the trip to Switzerland his eyes are in a stable condition, doctors found no changes. It is a great achievement for us to receive only positive news for a second time in a row. My heart felt that all will be fine,” Domas's mum Sandra said. Keep up the good job, dear trooper Domas! Thank you everyone for the support.

Laurynas's mum also shared her experience about his treatment: “Laurynas is growing into a great guy with a strong character. He always tries to get what he wants, at any cost. For a very long time Laurynas was unable to speak but now we are happy to announce that we can talk to each other and he learns new words every day. The boy attends a special kindergarten for children with eyesight disorders. There he is constantly monitored by specialists, undergoes special training and is treated by a speech therapist. We are waiting for our September meeting with Swiss therapists and expecting good news.”

Also, to our Austeja who lost her leg to disease, we ordered and purchased a leg prosthesis for 27 373 USD. For now Austeja is waiting for her prosthesis and is already learning to walk with a temporary prosthesis.

We also purchased non-covered antifungal medicines and food supplements to our little Mintare as after a long and demanding treatment she refused to eat for some time. The expenses amounted to 1900 USD . Thus, the total sum of treatment expenses over the period of three months is 36 576,40 USD

Additionally, over the period of three months we had been providing essential nursing care items (diapers, wet wipes, and covers) and dispensed: diapers – 35 pcs, wet wipes – 36, covers – 52. Other hygiene items (such as cream, shower gel, shampoo): cream – 22 pcs, shower gel and shampoo – 16.

For families whose children are treated in Vilnius University Santaros Children’s Hospital and in Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinic we also provided support and organised events. During these events we presented items for the use in the children's activity room – 44 learning games, McQueen tables and chairs, new children's clothes, 80 big boxes of candy for all children in the hospitals, 50 pizzas and 20 kg of blueberries.

We also celebrated birthdays of 41 children. Our efforts are dedicated to making kids' hospital days easier and brighter and for making them happier.

We also prepared amusing tasks such as pizza or ice cream making sessions. Moreover, we invited professional hairdressers and make-up artists to give some joy to mums and to our little troopers. Children had a possibility to enjoy the company of Canine Therapy Centre pets. One of the mothers shared her experience and said “your heart melts when those tiny fingers are touching soft and fluffy fur and the whole department is full of children's voices and laughter. Then you realise that it really helps to get better as they, in their long and hard journey, need as much positive emotions and gentle touch as possible.”

We are eternally grateful for such cosy meetings, positive emotions, unlimited love for children and their precious time to Iveta, the soul of canine therapy, and her entire team. And a special thanks to Matilda and Brukne who did not shy away from children's embraces and kisses. And of course, let us express our gratitude to dogs’ owners for their care and for taking the time to do good deeds.

We would like to express our gratitude to all Global Giving donors who are not indifferent to children's pain and are constantly supporting those who need those warm wishes and support the most. 

Over the period from March through April and May the charitable foundation Mamu Unija had provided 95 285.99 USD of aid for children suffering from oncological diseases as well as support for their families. All the funds had been allocated for obtaining non-covered drugs, nursing care items, for supporting children's' treatment abroad and for funding their trips  to hospitals and back. These funds had also been used for children's birthdays and to fulfil their biggest dreams; as well as for organising exciting activities helping children and their families brighten up their days. 

Laurynas, Maksimilijanas and Domas continue their treatment in Switzerland. Laurynas's mom, whose son has been diagnosed with eye cancer, is finally smiling happily:
"It's our 15th time here, isn't it? I keep losing track already. Or is it the 16th? It would seem everything should be familiar now, all procedures and their sequence should be known. But each time you come here with a trembling heart, like the first time. However, we have good news - the tumour is no longer active and there are no new ones. The eyesight of his left eye has improved by 5%, while the eyesight of his right eye is perfect. As of August we have been travelling to Switzerland only for routine examination, thus, Laurynas has not been given any treatment for over 6 months now. We truly hope that it will not be required any more. Since the risk for tumour recurrence is diminishing, the gaps between visits are getting longer. This time the treating professor let us go for 3 months. The next visit is scheduled in summer," said Laurynas's mom Ramune.

Domas went to Switzerland twice over the period of 3 months. The expenses of his treatment are 3,565.27 USD. Domas's mom shared her thoughts on the subject of treatment:

"For the first time Domas underwent his examination like a real man - not a single tear shed. And the news was so good! His eyesight is improving, which means we are making progress. 
Another piece of great news is that there were no new signs of disease. No treatment has been assigned - his eye is clean! We are jumping with joy and we hope that the next visit that is scheduled next month is going to be similarly satisfying, because how much more can we take... 
Greetings to everyone!"

In addition, over the period of 3 months, we had been constantly providing critical nursing care items for 38 children:  Diapers – 70 pcs., wet wipes – 40 pcs.; blankets – 221 pcs, other hygiene items (creams, shower gel, shampoos) - 54 have been dispensed accordingly.

When a child is suffering from oncological disease, families' expenses sky-rocket, this is why we work on compensating families' expenses of travelling from and to hospitals. Over the period of 3 months we had allocated 2,422.55 USD for fuel so that 46 families could freely travel for examination and treatment purposes. 

We have allocated 74,770.02 USD for the construction of Children's Oncology Support Centre which is to provide psychological support and rehabilitation services for children suffering from oncological diseases and for their families.    

Over this period we had congratulated 53 children on their birthdays and managed to fulfil 19 biggest dreams ranging from a cell phone to small mouthorgan. Each Wednesday in Vilnius Santaros Clinic and each Thursday in Kaunas Clinic we had organised events for children and their parents.

Our guests entertained children with their performances, different characters, and various activities such as creating natural wax candles, nitrogen and fire shows or pizza nights for the entire ward!

Since moms whose children are diagnosed with cancer have no time for themselves, each month the hospital ward is visited by beauty specialists who offer to do make-up, hair and face procedures and manicure.

And finally we would like to share Austeja's mom’s thoughts on almost battled disease:

"This is something incredible. This Friday we had our last chemo treatment. Tomorrow, Tuesday, she should be free of any drugs.
It is unbelievable, but it's happening. 
Now we only hope that her blood remains as is and we will be progressing to a new level. We will start learning to walk. Everyone is waiting for their new baby to start walking. Just like us - waiting for our daughter to start walking with her new leg.