Cancer Kids Ukraine

Sikerko Ivan passed away on November 9, 2009.

From the archives

Ivan Sikerko, DOB August 8, 1991, malignant granulomatosis, mixed type, stage III B

Ivan is 16 years old. Before being diagnozed with malignant granulomatosis, mixed type, stage III B, Ivan used to live in a village with his parents and 14-year-old sister. He used to help all the neighbors – to fix an iron or a water tap. He was supposed to go to grade 10 in September. But all of a sudden he fell sick in July 2007. He got fever and enlarged lymph nodes. He also got a lump growing really fast on his neck (you can even see it in the picture).

          Then there were the hospitals in Ivano-Frankovsk, Kiev, Lvov, Ivano-Frankovsk again and Kiev again (the Institute of Oncology and Radiology, the specialized children’s cancer hospital, regional cancer hospital). Nevertheless, the doctors were not able to diagnoze him. Ivan had four biopsies of the cervical nodes taken, trepanation of the thigh bone done alongside with numerous tomographic and ultrasound examinations. At first, they thought it was Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but after the doctors received the results of the biopsy analysis they diagnozed Ivan with malignant granulomatosis, mixed type, stage III B. For now, this is the final diagnosis.

Ivan has been at the specialized children’s cancer hospital in Kiev with his mother since November 2007. Until now, the family was trying to pay for Ivan’s treatment by themselves, using the money all their relatives (mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather) borrowed from the bank. Ivan’s father is disabled (he has chronic infectious arthritis). But although they have already spent all the bank loans, they still have to keep paying for Ivan’s treatment. On top of that, they will have to repay the high-interest loans back to the bank.

The doctors have discontinued the treatment for now because on May 13, 2008 Ivan was diagnozed with lung fungal infection. In order to treat this infection, Ivan will need an antifungal drug Vifend (28 vials, 200ml). Each vial costs $200. Someone promised Ivan’s mother to pay for 9 vials of Vifend. But what about the rest of the vials?! Where to get the money to buy them? This family doesn’t have anyone else who could possibly get a bank loan. Besides, on June 2, 2008 Ivan should start his first course of radiotherapy for the lymph nodes on his neck. The family will have to pay for it as well. Ivan and his mother regularly attend the arts and crafts classes organized by our volunteer at the hospital. They were able to sell one of their “masterpieces” (a small house) at the exhibition for $20 (its net cost was only $1.5). It’s encouraging, but certainly $20 is not enough to pay for the treatment. This family needs your financial support.

You can reach Ivan’s mother Oxana at +38 067 731 47 03

Oxana does not have a bank account in US dollars. The only available option for her to receive financial help from you is Western Union. You may contact us for more information.