Just a few months ago, 4-year-old Blanka Piechaczek was a joyful and inquisitive child, filled with laughter, drawing, and running around with her older sister, Liliana. Her laughter resonated throughout their home, and her smile brought joy to everyone around her. Then, in an instant, everything changed.
On the night of July 14th, Blanka suddenly experienced a severe headache. Moments later, she began to vomit and then lost consciousness. Her alarmed parents rushed her to the hospital, where they faced every parent’s worst nightmare: a brain bleed caused by a malignant tumor.
The following morning, Blanka underwent emergency brain surgery. The medical team worked tirelessly to save her life, but the diagnosis was devastating. Tests confirmed it: anaplastic ependymoma, a rare and aggressive type of brain cancer.
Blanka fell into a coma.
For 32 long days, her parents remained by her side, whispering prayers and holding her tiny hand, hoping for any sign of life. “We just wanted her to open her eyes again,” her mother recalls. “Every day, we prayed for one more day with her.”
And then — she woke up.
Initially, she was unable to move or respond. The surgery had only partially removed the tumor, and the coma had taken a toll on her. However, slowly, Blanka began to show signs of recovery — her eyes flickered with recognition, her fingers started to move, and her spirit began to shine once more.
Since then, she has undergone three rounds of chemotherapy, with a fourth planned. While the treatment has slowed the tumor’s growth, it is insufficient — a dangerous remnant remains in her head. Doctors have indicated that to truly save her life, she now requires proton therapy — a highly precise form of radiation that targets the tumor without harming healthy brain tissue.
This is her only chance — and it must commence by mid-November.
This therapy is not available in Poland for Blanka’s type of cancer, and the National Health Fund (NFZ) will not cover it. The only hope lies abroad, in Essen, Germany, where specialists are prepared to start her treatment immediately. However, the cost — hundreds of thousands of złotych — is far beyond what her family can manage.
“We’ve already spent everything we had,” Blanka’s parents share. “The hospital stays, medications, rehabilitation — it’s more than we ever imagined. We’re out of time, and we can’t do this alone.”
Despite everything, Blanka remains a source of light. She can no longer walk or sit up independently, but she faces each day with a courage that inspires those around her. She enjoys coloring books and board games, and her favorite character — Kitty Cat — keeps her company during long hospital days. Her big sister Liliana helps her paint, sing, and dream of returning home.
However, the battle is far from over.
Proton therapy offers Blanka her best chance — perhaps her only one — to survive without severe long-term effects. Unlike traditional radiation, it can accurately eliminate what remains of the tumor while protecting her developing brain. For a child of just four, that distinction is crucial.
But time is running out. Each day without treatment increases the risk of the cancer spreading — of losing the little girl whose laughter once filled her home.
Blanka’s parents, weary yet resolute, hold onto hope.
“We can’t imagine life without her,” her father states. “She’s our world — our miracle. We just need help to give her the chance she deserves.”
They are reaching out — humbly and desperately — for assistance.
Every donation, every share, every act of kindness brings Blanka closer to life.
Blanka’s story is not merely one of illness — it’s a tale of love, bravery, and the fierce determination of parents who refuse to surrender. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, saving a life is not about miracles, but about people uniting to make one happen.
💛 Please — help Blanka get to Essen. Help her begin proton therapy before it’s too late. Help her live.
Because no 4-year-old should have to fight this hard to survive.
And no parent should have to fight alone.
