Help Lithuanian Kids in their Battle with Cancer

We announce that during the months of December, January and February our charity foundation spent 28208 euros (31102 USD) to support Lithuanian kids touched by cancer. The financial support was used for the children’s medications, diapers, various nursing measures, therapies, as well as the improvement of the wards and living conditions in Vilnius and Kaunas hospitals. Global Giving donors helped as well by donating 905 euros (998 USD).

This winter we purchased non-reimbursable medications for Rusne, Ula, Rimvidas and Timotis and covered dendritic cell-based immunotherapys expenses of 3000 euros for 3 years old boy Rojus. During winter months we distributed approximately 100 packs of diapers and 150 packs of wet wipes to the oncohematology departments in Vilnius and Kaunas. It was worth approximately 2600 euros (2866 USD). Also we keep supporting three little children Maximiliano, Laurynas and Domas, who are diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, an eye cancer. These boys have been sent to Lausanne medical clinic in Switzerland and throughout the three months period, we paid over 11800 euros (13010 USD) for their journeys to the clinics in Switzerland.  Laurynas‘ mother says: „Thank you for this significant opportunity to treat my son in Switzerland, thank you for all the beautiful words, thoughts and prayers. Laurynas is sending a kiss to all of you“.

Our charity foundation is taking care of the coziness of the wards,so we have bought two new stoves, kitchen hoods and ten electric kettles for the kitchens, where families can cook their own food during their time in the hospital. All of this cost approximately 1380 euros (1521 USD). Also we bought the medical equipment that facilitate the procedures for the children and help doctors to work more effectively. In addition, we have purchased 3 portable suction pumps and 3 electronic column scales with BMI functions, all of which cost 6402 euros (7058 USD).

In December we organized a campaign of kindness titled Advent Stockings.During this campaign we hung red stockings on all ward door in the oncohematology wing in Kaunas and Vilnius. Children found surprise gifts in them every morning.

We want that children’s journey through a long treatment would be bright and full of hope. Usually, young kids are extremely afraid to lose their hair after the first chemotherapy course. So we organize Saying goodbye to your hair celebrations with lots of balloons, pizzas and games. This winter we have organized this celebration to our beloved children Darius, Shakir, Evelina, Dovydas, Rolan and other kids. „Wow“- it was everything that a boy named Rolan could say, when he saw the gifts that he was dreaming about for a while. Rolan said goodbye to his hair being super excited. He giggled because a shaving trimmer really tickled his head. Rolan’s mom was excited too. She told that Rolan had never before had his head shaved this much but now they both liked his bald head. We hope that such celebrations, dedicated for saying goodbye to the hair, will also inspire other sick kids and they won’t be afraid anymore.

We are meeting children at a hospital that we call Miracles. One of them is Ringaudas who had cancer, a stroke, was in coma for some time, but now he can walk, speak and he has a big smile on his face. He smiled even when one part of his face was paralysed and the doctors didn‘t have any good news for the boy. We are learning strength and hope from his mother. She told  us: „Not for the single second that I didn‘t  have a doubt that we CAN“. Today all the bad memories are in the past and we are happy that we made little Ringaudas dream come true when he got a present – a wheeled tractor for 233 euros. It is not only a game, but a good exercise for his little legs and arms. It helps to strengthen little Ringaudas body. Also we have fulfilled the dreams of other children and celebrated birthdays of kids who have cancer and who were staying at hospitals in Vilnius or Kaunas. The value of all the fulfilled dreams (presents) was around 845 euros (931 USD).

Most of our projects have become possible due to the open hearts and open minds of people from all over the world and both local and international business communities.Thanks to everyone who help to provide support and comfort!

During this fall our charity foundation spent 32 855 euros (35 009 USD) for the sick children’s medical treatment, care and therapy. We bought non-reimbursable drugs for Rusne, Kamile, Timothy and Rimvydas, covered treatment expenses in foreign clinics for three children with eye cancer – Maximiliano, Laurynas and Domas. Every week we were taking various nursing items (diapers, wet wipes, colorful band-aids with pictures) to the hospitals and have organized therapy sessions for the sick children and their parents. We received 1 267 euros (1350 USD) from our good-hearted Global Giving donors.

This autumn was full of events in Vilnius and Kaunas hospitals. Each week we organized at least two creative sessions. For each event we spent around 30 Euros. Children together with their parents took part in several events like chemical experiments, gypsum-work, ebru painting on the water, chocolate degustation, sand painting, painting on silk, making Mayan dolls, origami, calligraphy, glass decoration and decoupage sessions. Children and their parents told, that these sessions help to relieve from stress and are very relaxing.

Most of children between the ages of 3-7 years that have oncological disease, develop a need for diapers again, so we try to provide various sizes of diapers for children, as well as wet wipes, creams, mouthwashes, colorful band-aids with pictures etc. During the three month period, we have delivered hygiene products to the oncohematology departments in Vilnius and Kaunas, all worth approximately 1000 euros. „It feels like Christmas! “ – told one of the teacher Vitalija from Kaunas Children's Hospital oncology department, when she sow the bags full of gifts and hygiene measures donated for children.

Only 1 year old boy Laurynas from Klaipeda and five month boy Domas from Kazlu Ruda, both were diagnosed with Retinoblastoma - an eye cancer. Children, urgently needs a treatment abroad, since to heal them successfully in Lithuania is no longer possible. Both boys are sent to Lausanne medical clinic in Switzerland. The necessary amount of expenses for treatment, nursing, travel and accommodation reaches 40 - 60 thousands euro. This enormous amount of money is an unbearable financial burden for both families. Therefore, over a month period our charity foundation paid over 2000 euros for Domas and Laurynas first journey to clinics in Switzerland.  The journey was full of worries, but except of that went very smoothly.

Also, we have paid 5784 euros for the treatment of Maximiliano, who has an eye cancer (retinoblastoma), and is being successfully treated in Switzerland. Mother of Maximiliano says:  “In Switzerland clinic the boy eye vision was tested, and miracle happened, as Maximiliano can see everything. For the one year professor Mr.F.Munier will be looking after us. We have tears in our eyes when we see how many people helped us. Our family is extremely grateful for everyone’s assistance and support.“ 

Our organisation's photography exhibition Loved and Loving was opened in November at Ozas shopping center. It's a unique exhibition portraying mothers who have kids with cancer and telling their touching stories for the first time in Lithuania. We believe that these inspiring mothers and their stories would encourage other women not to give up when facing such life-changing hardship and think positive. During a child's illness, mothers with their kids spend at least half a year in hospitals. They have to stay strong because their experiences are strongly felt by their kids. "I've managed to release the heaviness and anxiety. I am grateful for each day I have and for the opportunity to see the hope in these hospital's corridors" - thought of a mother having experienced her daughters illness and having her portrait displayed.

We are more than happy to see that children are getting well. We want to say sincere thank you for everybody, who supports children with cancer and their families. Thank you for your kindness!