Childhood in Two Wars. The Story of a Resident of «Dacha» in Lviv

Dmytryk's birthday is on February 24. Today he turned 9 years old.

A day that should be about balloons, children's dreams, and cake… But Dmytryk has already lived half his life in a full-scale war. And for the past year, also in his own battle with a severe illness.

He and his mother, Maria, arrived in Lviv from the Mykolaiv region — from the village of Mykhailivka, which suffers from frequent enemy shelling. Dmytryk's dad has been defending the country on the front lines for two years. And his older sister stayed home under the care of their aunt.

In Dmytryk's story, it all started with a pain in his leg. An active, restless boy who loved football above all else suddenly started limping. The traumatologist whom the woman consulted in Mykolaiv referred them to Kyiv after an examination. Next came examinations at the National Cancer Institute, and later at the Clinical Center of Children's Medicine in Lviv.

Ultimately, after extensive examinations in Lviv, the boy was given a final diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. It is a rare disease that affects all organs and bones and requires prolonged chemotherapy treatment. The first course of treatment, consisting of 6 rounds of chemotherapy, is already behind them. Ahead are the next courses and further examinations.

«Dmytryk's treatment will be a long one, shares the mother, so when we arrived at the Dacha in Lviv, we exhaled a bit and felt relieved. I came here and I really liked it. It feels like you are entering your second family, says Mariia. And the woman also dreams that when spring break arrives for her older daughter, she will bring her to the Dacha as well, so the children can spend time together.

 The boy is in the third grade, likes mathematics, collects toy cars, and dreams of becoming a programmer. He and his mother are also very worried about their defender dad.

«There are times," Maria recalls, "when my husband doesn't get in touch. And then my worries double.

When the war started, Dmytryk thought he would no longer have a birthday or holiday gifts.

«Mom, you know, when an air raid alert starts, I pray to God very hard to survive. I really want to live,» the boy often says to his mom.

February 24 may remain for a boy the day he first heard air raid sirens and explosions. Or it can become the day he feels like a child again. And you can help make this possible! 

Support Dmytryk and other children who are undergoing treatment right now!

You can help once or set up monthly support and become the person who is by the child's side throughout the entire treatment.

Even 100 UAH per month gives us the opportunity to plan our assistance and be a reliable support for families.

Because every child has the right to a birthday. And to life!