Meet our tiny warrior — a one-year-old little girl who has already faced battles that no child should ever have to endure. From the very first moment she entered this world, her life has been shaped by challenges brought on by one powerful adversary: congenital heart disease (CHD). Though her heart is small, it works tirelessly every single day, beating harder than most to keep her alive, growing, and thriving.
Her journey began with uncertainty and fear. Almost immediately after she was born, doctors and her parents knew that something wasn’t right. Her heart was different from other children’s hearts. The diagnosis of congenital heart disease changed everything. Suddenly, her family was thrust into a world of medical terms, hospital rooms, monitors, and constant worry — a world they never imagined they would enter. Every breath she took, every tiny movement she made, was watched closely, her fragile heart already fighting against overwhelming odds.
Her first year of life has been a delicate balancing act. Simple moments that many families take for granted — playtime, laughter, rest — require careful planning. Her parents have learned to pace her activities, to watch her breathing, to notice even the smallest changes. They celebrate milestones while carrying the quiet weight of concern in their hearts. Each hospital visit, every test, every treatment serves as a reminder that her journey is far more complex than that of most children her age.
And yet, despite everything, she continues to amaze everyone around her.
Imagine a child so young, so small, who has already endured more than many people will face in a lifetime. It is difficult to comprehend. She has spent countless hours in doctors’ offices and hospital rooms, surrounded by machines, wires, and unfamiliar faces. She has undergone procedures no one should ever have to experience — especially not a one-year-old. But through it all, her spirit remains unbroken. She keeps fighting, quietly and bravely, day after day.
What makes her story truly remarkable is her strength. Her heart may be fragile, but her spirit is made of steel. She faces each challenge with a courage that defies her size and age. Every smile she gives, every laugh that escapes her lips, feels like a victory. Those moments remind everyone watching that resilience can exist even in the smallest bodies. Her parents look at her in awe, inspired by a bravery they never expected from such a young soul.
Living with CHD is not a short journey. It is a lifelong battle that requires constant care, constant vigilance, and endless hope. For this little warrior, her story is only just beginning. Each day brings new challenges, but it also brings new triumphs. She continues to grow, to play, to explore the world around her, and to love deeply. Time and time again, she defies the odds.
Her parents are learning powerful lessons from her strength. They are learning that sometimes the greatest act of courage is not fighting against a disease, but learning how to live with it — with patience, resilience, and unwavering love. Every day she grows stronger is a victory worth celebrating. And with each victory, her family celebrates not only her progress, but the incredible courage she shows simply by being herself.
Despite her medical struggles, she still experiences the joys of childhood. She plays with her toys, reaches out for the people she loves, and finds happiness in the simplest moments. Between medical appointments and difficult procedures, she is just like any other child — curious, joyful, and full of wonder.
Her journey reminds us that congenital heart disease is not just a diagnosis; it is a lifelong fight. And it is a fight that requires far more than surgeries and treatments. It requires love that never wavers, parents who stand beside their child no matter what, and hope that refuses to fade even on the hardest days. It requires believing that no matter how long or difficult the road may be, there is always light ahead.
Through it all, this little warrior continues to inspire everyone who knows her story. She proves that even the smallest hearts can carry the greatest strength. She shows us that courage is not defined by physical limits, but by determination, love, and resilience. She is a living reminder of the unbreakable bond between a child and her family, and of the incredible power of hope.
As she grows, her journey will not become easier. There will be more tests, more treatments, and more obstacles to overcome. But with each passing day, she becomes stronger. And her parents’ hearts swell with pride, knowing that no matter what comes next, their little girl is capable of facing it — because she has already shown them what true courage looks like.
This story is a reminder to all of us that strength is not measured by the size of our body, but by the size of our heart. And this tiny warrior, with her brave heart and unstoppable spirit, is proof that love, hope, and courage can carry us through even the toughest battles.
Indigo’s Journey: A Tiny Heart, Unbreakable Strength
Indigo’s journey began almost as soon as she entered the world, with a diagnosis that would change everything. Born with multiple complex heart defects — including an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), and a hypoplastic aorta — her survival was uncertain from the very beginning. From her first moments of life, every heartbeat and every breath carried extraordinary significance.
The early weeks were critical. Indigo’s tiny body worked tirelessly as doctors and nurses monitored her around the clock. Simple things that most newborns experience without notice became moments of intense focus and concern. Her parents lived minute by minute, holding on to hope while facing overwhelming fear.
At just a few weeks old, Indigo underwent the Norwood procedure — a complex, life-saving surgery essential to stabilize her circulation and give her a chance to survive. As surgeons worked in the operating room, time seemed to stand still. Her parents waited, holding their breath, trusting the medical team with their daughter’s fragile heart and their own shattered nerves.
The surgery, though successful, was only the beginning.
In the days that followed, Indigo required numerous life-saving interventions. She was placed on ECMO to support her heart and lungs, a measure that underscored just how critical her condition remained. Even after initial stabilization, her strength was tested again and again. Cardiac arrest and severe infections pushed her tiny body to its limits and tested the resilience of her family beyond imagination.
Life in the neonatal and cardiac intensive care units became the new normal. Alarms, monitors, emergency interventions, and constant vigilance filled each day. Fear and hope coexisted side by side. Every small sign of stability was celebrated, even as new complications loomed.
Yet through it all, Indigo kept fighting.
Her body endured procedures, setbacks, and complications with remarkable courage. Weeks turned into months as her care remained relentless — daily monitoring, medical procedures, and therapies shaping her fragile recovery. Slowly, progress began to emerge.
Seven months after her birth, Indigo finally went home.
The moment brought overwhelming relief, but also the understanding that her journey was far from over. At home, her fragile heart still demanded constant vigilance. Medications, monitoring, and frequent follow-up appointments became part of daily life. A brief scare soon brought her back to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, a painful reminder of how quickly things could change.
Once again, Indigo defied the odds.
Back at home, she began the hard work of catching up developmentally. Every movement mattered. Rolling over, attempting to crawl, lifting her head, and engaging with her surroundings became powerful milestones. Each achievement reflected not only physical progress, but immense perseverance.
Therapy became a cornerstone of her growth. Physical, occupational, and developmental therapies supported her coordination, strength, and confidence. Even the smallest accomplishments — grasping an object, responding to a voice, or sitting upright — carried monumental meaning. Progress was measured not in leaps, but in steady, hard-earned steps.
Family support played a vital role in her recovery. Love, encouragement, patience, and constant presence created a foundation of trust and security. Feeding sessions, playtime, and cuddles transformed into moments of triumph. Ordinary experiences became extraordinary milestones.
Medical follow-ups remained essential. Cardiologists, therapists, and pediatricians worked closely to monitor Indigo’s heart function, growth, and development. Every appointment, every evaluation helped guide her path forward and ensured she received the care she needed.
There were still setbacks — moments of fatigue, minor complications, or slowed progress — but each was met with adaptation, patience, and renewed determination. Indigo continued to move forward.
Her resilience inspired everyone around her. Nurses, therapists, doctors, and family members witnessed a strength far beyond her months of life. Surgeries, ECMO, infections, and cardiac arrest had tested her limits, yet her spirit remained unbreakable.
As time passed, Indigo continued to thrive. Crawling, rolling, exploring toys, and interacting socially became signs of her growing confidence and independence. Each milestone, no matter how small, was celebrated as a victory over incredible odds.
Indigo’s story is a testament to the power of love, persistence, and expert care. It shows that even children born with life-threatening heart conditions can grow, flourish, and inspire. Her journey teaches that progress does not need to be fast to be meaningful — it only needs to move forward.
Today, Indigo’s journey continues. Each day brings new growth, new strength, and new hope. Her courage reminds us that resilience is not measured by size or age, but by determination and the unwavering support of those who love her.
Her tiny heart has endured more than most, yet it continues to beat with strength, courage, and possibility — a powerful reminder that even the smallest warriors can overcome the greatest challenges.
Artyom: Six Years Old, Racing Against Time and Aggressive Blood Cancer
My name is Roman Ensh, and I am the father of a six-year-old boy named Artyom. Writing these words still feels unreal. No parent ever imagines that one day they will have to ask the world for help to save their child’s life. Yet here I am, doing exactly that—because my son’s life now depends on time, kindness, and the compassion of others.
Artyom is not just my child. He is my heart, my breath, my reason for living. And today, his life is measured not in years or dreams, but in hours and days.
Artyom is fighting one of the most aggressive childhood cancers known: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This disease does not wait. It does not compromise. It does not forgive delays. Every hour matters, and every lost day brings us closer to a future I am terrified to imagine.
It all began quietly. One day we noticed a small rash on Artyom’s neck. It looked harmless—like a simple infection or a passing virus. We reassured ourselves that children get sick and recover all the time. But a routine blood test destroyed that sense of safety forever.
Cancer.
From that moment on, our normal life disappeared. Our home was replaced by hospital rooms, our routines by fear, and our future by uncertainty. We rushed Artyom to Medipol Mega University Hospital in Turkey, where doctors immediately began intensive treatment.
The next ten months were the longest and most painful of our lives. Artyom endured multiple stages of chemotherapy, treatments strong enough to weaken his small body but never strong enough to break his spirit. He was admitted to intensive care five times. During one terrifying moment, his breathing stopped, and he had to be placed on a ventilator. Watching your child struggle for air is something no parent ever recovers from.
And yet—he survived. Artyom endured pain that many adults could not. He held our hands through fear, smiled through exhaustion, and showed courage far beyond his six years. We believed his strength, combined with modern medicine, would be enough. But leukemia is cruel. Recent biopsies showed that the cancer has begun to grow again. The disease is still fighting back. And now, doctors have told us the words no parent wants to hear: There is only one chance left.
Artyom urgently needs a bone marrow transplant. A compatible donor has already been found—something that feels like a miracle in itself. That discovery gave us hope when we were running out of it. We traveled once more, this time to Hadassah Medical Center in Israel, where Artyom is currently receiving treatment. He has completed another round of chemotherapy and is now recovering. The most important test still lies ahead. If the results are positive, doctors are ready to proceed with the transplant immediately. Hope is close—but so is heartbreak.
The cost of the transplant is 3,178,800 rubles. To some, it may be just a number. To us, it is the price of our child’s life. We have already given everything we had. We have sold what we could, exhausted all resources, and reached the limits of what a family can do alone. There is nothing left to sacrifice—except time. And time is something Artyom does not have.
My son is only six years old. He is gentle, bright, and full of love. He dreams of going home, hugging his little sister, playing with his grandmother, and caring for our animals. He loves dinosaurs and shaping figures out of dough. He does not dream of hospitals, needles, or IV lines. He dreams of being a child again—of laughing freely, of waking up without pain or fear.
Artyom is alive today because of people with kind hearts. Every donation, every message, every shared post has given him one more day, one more breath, one more chance. But now, we cannot continue this fight alone. I am asking you—not as a stranger, but as a father—please help me save my son.
Every contribution, every share, every act of kindness brings us closer to the bone marrow transplant that can save Artyom’s life. It is another chance for his heart to keep beating, for his laughter to return, for his place in this world to remain.
My son should not die.
He should live.
He should grow up, come home, and fill our house with laughter again.
We believe that with your help, this nightmare can still have a hopeful ending.
With hope and endless gratitude,
Roman Ensh and the Ensh family 🙏❤️
More Than a Battle: The Life of Szymek
I can hardly write these words without my heart breaking: Szymek is gone.
He will remain forever in the hearts of all who loved him so deeply. Yet his story—his fight, his joy, his courage—must be remembered. Not only as a story of illness, but as a testament to hope, strength, and the extraordinary power of a child’s smile.
It began with words no parent should ever hear:
“I’m sorry, but your son has a 12-centimeter tumor on his left adrenal gland.”
In that moment, the world seemed to collapse around us. A tumor. Twelve centimeters. Our only son—our long-awaited child, the light of our lives. We barely remember what the doctor said next. All we felt was disbelief, fear, and a grief so heavy it stole the air from our lungs.
Szymek was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive childhood cancers: stage IV neuroblastoma, with metastases to his bones, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and chest. Everything we knew as “normal” disappeared instantly.
Born on August 25, 2014, Szymek had always been a child of pure joy. From his very first breath, he filled every room with happiness. His smile was constant—radiant, effortless, and contagious. Life without it felt gray, empty, and incomplete. And suddenly, that joy was interrupted by fear.
The hospital became our second home. On the very day we were meant to begin our summer vacation, Szymek received his first chemotherapy drip. The oncology ward replaced playgrounds; sterile corridors and treatment rooms became his daily reality. Watching your child endure chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiotherapy is a pain no parent should ever know.
And yet, through it all, Szymek kept smiling.
He faced every challenge with a bravery far beyond his years. Even in suffering, he taught us how to find happiness in the smallest moments—a joke shared with a nurse, a story read in the ward, the simple joy of playing with other children. His strength lifted us when we felt we could no longer stand.
Neuroblastoma is relentless. It often returns, stronger and more resistant each time. Still, Szymek was given a chance—a European clinical trial that offered hope. Over many months, he endured eight cycles of intensive chemotherapy, a major surgery to remove the adrenal tumor, megachemotherapy with a bone marrow transplant, and radiotherapy.
Then came the word we had prayed for: remission.
For the first time in months, hope bloomed again. We prepared for the final stage—immunotherapy in Kraków—believing that perhaps, at last, we could return to ordinary life.
But cancer is merciless.
Just days before our planned departure, a small lump appeared on Szymek’s head. Though it proved to be only a cyst, further scans revealed disease progression in residual tissue—cells that had survived every treatment. The relapse crushed our hopes. Survival chances dropped dramatically, and time became our greatest enemy.
Desperate, we searched the world for answers. We found a clinical trial in the United States showing remarkable results—raising survival rates for relapsed children from 5% to 50%. Even more encouraging, the treatment could be administered in Poland under the care of Professor Walentyna Balwierz. But bureaucracy stood in our way. Approval was denied.
Then, when hope felt almost gone, Professor Holger Lode in Greifswald, Germany, offered a final chance: chemotherapy combined with antibody therapy. It was our last and best hope to keep Szymek alive.
The cost—€265,000—was overwhelming. We asked the world for help, believing in the kindness of strangers, in compassion, in shared humanity.
Szymek loved blowing out the candles on his birthday cake. Each flame symbolized life, dreams, and hope. Every candle was a promise of tomorrow.
Though his journey ended far too soon, Szymek’s smile, courage, and spirit will never fade. He taught us how to face fear with hope, pain with joy, and life with love. He may no longer be in our arms, but he will always live in our hearts.
Let us remember him not only as a child who suffered, but as a shining light—one who showed us that even in the darkest moments, love, courage, and a smile can endure forever.
