Our 5-year-old daughter Agatka has been enduring a struggle that no child should ever face. Since she was two, she has been battling neuroblastoma, a fierce and aggressive type of childhood cancer. This journey has been incredibly challenging, with Agatka’s life revolving around hospitals, surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood transfusions, and a seemingly endless series of tests. Yet, through it all, she remains our brave little warrior.
Every parent envisions days filled with laughter, play, and tranquility. However, for us, such normalcy has been a far-off dream. Our reality consists of frequent hospital visits, anxiety, and suffering. Our deepest desire is to see Agatka live a life free from pain, treatments, and the hospital corridors that have become her second home.
For the past two years, we have been in Barcelona, where Agatka is receiving specialized care at a hospital known for its expertise in neuroblastoma. With access to advanced therapies and a remarkable medical team, we have witnessed significant progress in her battle. Each day in the hospital presents challenges, but it also fills us with hope—a hope that one day we will conquer this relentless disease.
Just a year ago, we were confronted with the terrifying reality of 12 metastases in Agatka’s body. It was a heart-wrenching figure, and the fear was overwhelming. Yet, against all odds, Agatka’s body began to fight back. Today, only two metastases remain, and they are finally starting to shrink. The primary tumor that had loomed over our lives has ceased to function. This is remarkable progress, but the fight is not over. Agatka still needs additional cycles of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to ensure that the cancer is completely eliminated.
While this news is a ray of hope, it also brings its own challenges. The treatments, although effective, have taken a significant toll on Agatka’s young body. She will never fully recover from the side effects of chemotherapy. The nerve damage to her spine has left her with weakness in her right leg, and the muscles on the right side of her back remain weak. Her posture continues to deteriorate, and each day of treatment is a tremendous effort for her. The pain she endures is unimaginable, and as parents, it breaks our hearts to witness her struggle.
Each treatment cycle consists of five days of chemotherapy infusions followed by four days of painful immunotherapy infusions. These treatments are so intense that they require morphine and ketamine to manage the pain. Despite the discomfort, they are yielding results, and this progress gives us the strength to continue the fight. After each cycle, Agatka undergoes two weeks of recovery, which includes blood transfusions and managing the severe side effects. Additionally, Agatka is on daily oral chemotherapy to target the ALK mutation found in her cancer cells. This treatment plan, specifically designed for her needs, has instilled hope that the end of this battle is within reach.
However, we are not out of the woods yet. The hospital has outlined a treatment plan that includes eight more cycles. Thanks to the generosity of donors who supported Agatka’s previous fundraiser, we have been able to cover the costs of four cycles, but we are still short for the final four. The expenses for treatments, hospital stays, and necessary medications are substantial, and we are now facing an urgent need to raise the funds to complete her treatment.
This is where we need your assistance. After everything Agatka has endured, we cannot stop now. We cannot let all her suffering, the countless hours of rehabilitation, and the immense strength she has shown go to waste. We are so close to victory, and with your help, Agatka has a chance to live a cancer-free life. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to the day we can celebrate her recovery and bid farewell to neuroblastoma forever.
Agatka’s fight is a testament to her incredible resilience, and her strength has inspired us every day. But she cannot do it alone. She needs your support. Together, we can make her dream of a pain-free, healthy life a reality.
Please, from the depths of our hearts, we ask for your support. Your generosity will provide Agatka with the chance to live the life she deserves. Thank you for helping us give her a future filled with joy, laughter, and hope.
