Two years. That’s how long the Warchoł family has been enduring a nightmare — one that began with five words no parent ever anticipates: “Your son has a brain tumor.”
In 2023, their lives shattered. Six-year-old Mateusz, once a lively boy who enjoyed playing with his younger brother, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma — one of the most aggressive and challenging brain cancers to treat. In an instant, their existence was split into before and after.
Initially, they were unaware of the disease. They didn’t understand the endless medical jargon, the beeping machines, or the sterile scent of hospital corridors that would soon become their second home. However, they would learn — painfully, day by day — that pediatric oncology is not merely a ward. It is a battlefield.
“We spent two years behind those doors,” his father reflects. “They’re the gates of hell for any parent.”
Every night, the family listened to the slow, haunting rhythm of the IV drip. They heard the cries of children, the low murmurs of doctors, and the soft prayers whispered into sterile pillows. Through it all, they clung to each other — all four of them — never knowing how much time they had left.
When Mateusz underwent surgery to remove the tumor, the family hoped it would be the turning point. But what followed shattered their hearts once more.
Post-surgery, Mateusz was diagnosed with cerebellar syndrome, a devastating complication. He lost the ability to walk, talk, or move his arms. He could only breathe and swallow independently. The joyful little boy they once knew was suddenly trapped in silence, reliant on constant care.
“Since January 2023, every single day has been a struggle,” his mother says softly. “Not just against cancer — but against what the disease has taken from him.”
Yet, they refused to surrender. Mateusz faced chemotherapy, radiation, and numerous hospital stays. His parents remained by his side through every treatment, every fever, every sleepless night. His little brother would sit beside him, holding his hand — too young to fully grasp the situation, but old enough to know his big brother was fighting for his life.
Then came the day no one could have foreseen. After his final round of chemotherapy, Mateusz’s body gave out. His immune system collapsed, and he was rushed to intensive care. Doctors warned the family to prepare for the worst.
But once again, Mateusz defied the odds.
“It was a miracle,” his father states. “His body was so weak… but somehow, he held on.”
Today, the battle continues — though the fight has changed. The cancer has been pushed back, but its scars remain. Mateusz still cannot walk independently. His days are filled with physical therapy, rehabilitation, and exercises to regain his strength. Progress is slow but noticeable. With each passing month, his movements become a bit steadier, his smile a bit brighter.
He is under the care of various specialists — neurologists, physiotherapists, and oncologists — all collaborating to provide him with the best possible chance. And now, there’s a new glimmer of hope.
Doctors from overseas clinics have proposed a specialized treatment to prevent recurrence, a chance to shield Mateusz from the cancer that nearly claimed his life. However, the cost is staggering — far beyond what his family can manage.
“We’ll do anything for him,” his mother says tearfully. “We just need assistance to make it happen. He’s come too far to stop now.”
Mateusz recently celebrated his sixth birthday. For most children, birthdays signify balloons and laughter. For him, they signify survival. His parents watched him blow out his candles, his younger brother cheering by his side, and felt something they hadn’t in a long time — hope.
They dream of the day Mateusz can walk into the sunlight on his own, hold his brother’s hand, and run without fear or pain.
He’s faced more in six years than most people encounter in a lifetime — and yet, he still smiles. Still laughs. Still loves. He’s not just a patient. He’s a hero.
And his parents, standing beside him through every heartbreak and miracle, have one simple plea to the world:
“Help us keep our son alive. Help us give him a future.”
Because Mateusz’s story isn’t solely about illness. It’s about strength — the kind that refuses to give up, even when life becomes unbearable. It’s about a little boy who continues to fight, and a family who believes that miracles are real.
And with your help, they just might win this final battle.
