Help Lithuanian Kids in their Battle with Cancer

During this spring (i.e., March, April, May) our organization continued to support children with cancer and their families. We spent 13698.97 euros for the children’s medical treatment, care, therapy, as well as the improvement of the oncology wing's environment. During these months, we received $135 (USD or 122.97 euros) from our Global Giving donors.

Throughout the three months we made weekly visits to the hospitals in Vilnius and Kaunas where we brought supplies such as diapers, wet wipes, and other personal care products. During the three months, we distributed approximately 150 packs of diapers and 200 packs of wet wipes, which amount to approximately 3300 euros. Mothers of children with cancer expressed great need for these items, as parents are faced with financial difficulties during their child’s cancer treatment. For example, our little 2-year-old patient, Nedas’, mother described “before, a pack of diapers would last us close to an entire month, whereas after Nedas was afflicted with this illness all the diapers are gone within four days.” In addition, we purchased an essential formula for a baby with cancer (70 euros) and covered the travel costs for three families with financial difficulties who needed to get from faraway towns in Lithuania to the Children’s Hospital in Vilnius (Santariskes), which amounted to approximately 1524.49 euros.

During the month of March the organization purchased much-needed medical equipment for the Kaunas clinic – an electrocardiograph and Holter monito for 2646.27 euros. We also covered the costs of Onkopsychology educational lectures for medics at the rehabilitation clinic “Saulute” in Druskininkai (450 euros).

During the three months, the organization organized 45 therapeutic workshops and other functions for for children with cancer and their parents at the Children’s Hospital in Vilnius (Santariskes) and in the Kaunas Pediatric Clinics. We held photography workshops, dreamcatcher building, meditation with gongs, kite-making celebration, and many other events. On May 18, we organized a field trip for our little patients to a dolphinarium in Klaipeda for 350 euros. The children were able to interact with the dolphins, touch them and speak to them, they watched a dolphin performance, and were able to take a tour of the aquarium.

During the spring months we worked to bring gifts and surprises to the little patients on the oncology wing. We celebrated 31 birthdays and granted the wishes of 6 kids. Jovita always dreamed of having a Yorkshire puppy, Samanta dreamed of a shopping spree, Auguste dreamed of a Barbie doll house, Kipras dreamed of having his own personal computer, Zygimantas dreamed of visiting the theme park “Labas” and having a cell phone, and Gytis’ long dreamed of attending a “Neptunas” basketball game. 

We are continuing our support of a 3-year old boy Maximilian who is receiving treatment in Switzerland's cancer clinics. Maximilian is diagnosed with eye cancer (retinoblastoma) and all the treatment options in Lithuania have been exhausted. The boy must be cared for in Switzerland's clinics. Therefore, over a three-month period we paid 6266 euros for Maximilian’s treatment, nursing, traveling and accommodation in Switzerland. During the last check-up the doctors informed Maximilian’s parents that all of the tumors are eliminated and that his cancer is in remission. We are all hoping that he will receive good news such as this during his next check-up. 

Our organisation is taking care of Gabrielius, who has retinoblastoma and are being treated in Switzerland too. We contributed 1000 euros to Gabrielius' treatment and travel.

We want to thank every person, who is contributing to the well-being of the children with such a devastating sickness. All of your contributions make their difficult battle with the disease slightly easier.