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The history of our struggle
My name is Ivanna. I am reaching out for support and help because I find myself in a situation that I cannot resolve on my own. I am the mother of three little boys, and a few years ago, our eldest son, Maksym, was diagnosed with a very severe genetic condition – progressive Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This was an incredibly challenging time for our family. I remember crying constantly because there was no cure for this disease, which rapidly progressed—destroying muscles and robbing him of his ability to move, swallow, and eventually even breathe. After all, muscles aren’t just in the arms and legs; they also exist in many vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, and throat. Statistically, children with this diagnosis live up to the age of 18.
Я мама 3 синочків і у нашого старшого сина Максима виявили декілька років тому дуже тяжке генетичне захворювання - прогресуюча мʼязова дистрофія Дюшена (DMD - Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy).
But I pulled myself together and began fighting for my son! We traveled all across Ukraine in search of a cure, then to Europe, and later to the USA. We tried almost every possible option since, until recently, no treatment existed for this condition.
Але я взяла себе в руки і почала боротися за сина! Ми обʼїхали всю Україну у пошуках порятунку, потім була Європа, потім США. Ми спробували майже все можливе, адже донедавна у світі не було жодних ліків для лікування цього діагнозу!
Give Life!
Now, however, there is a chance to halt the progression of the disease and give my son a shot at a normal life. This is the world’s first drug, “Elevidys,” which completely stops the disease. The cost of this drug is $3,000,000 (three million US dollars). This is an enormous sum—beyond what any single family can manage—but for God, nothing is impossible. I wholeheartedly believe that if we all unite and work together, we can give Maksym a chance at the future!
Time Is Not on Our Side!
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На жаль, часу в нас дуже обмаль. Найбільше хвороба прогресує в підлітковому віці, коли організм росте
Unfortunately, we have very little time. The disease progresses most rapidly during adolescence when the body is growing, and most children with this diagnosis lose the ability to move independently and are forced to rely on a wheelchair as early as 8–10 years of age. Maksym is now 12 years old. Just six months ago, he was climbing stairs, and now he can barely support himself on one leg. Yet he still walks.
As his mother, I cannot bear to watch this disease progress and destroy him by robbing him of his ability to move. That is why I am doing everything possible—even what seems impossible—to save my child and give my son a chance at a normal life!
Only Together Can We Do It 🙏
Dear friends, I understand that we all face our share of suffering, grief, and loss. Everyone has their own worries and hardships. But let us not allow these challenges to harden our hearts and make us indifferent. Now there is a chance to save Maksym’s life and give him a future. Yes, the required sum is very large—a nearly unattainable amount for one family. However, with everyone’s support, if each person contributes to saving this child, our lives will indeed be enriched.
Believe that your compassion and support for Maksym will return to you as a great blessing and as help from God in your times of need. Let’s make the impossible possible—and may the Lord help us in this! With all my heart, I ask you to join this noble mission, support us, and help Maksym—with God’s blessing!
