Olena with her husband and a small 5-year-old son Dima live in the town of Krasnoarmiysk, Donetsk region.

Dima is a very active and friendly boy who loves to play with cats and dance.

One morning Olena noticed some rash covering her son’s entire body. Then Dima began to complain of pain in his leg and back. The boy who is usually very active could not get up from his bed.  Olena urgently took Dima to a hospital where he was diagnosed with hemorrhagic vasculitis – the disease, which inflames and destroys the walls of small vessels creating s a large number of micro blood clots in them. Children’s vasculitis affects internal organs and tissues due to absence of blood circulation.

“I couldn’t stop crying. I could not believe that this could be happening to my boy!” – shares the young mother.

In the hospital, the child was prescribed a “heavy” treatment with antibiotics but Dima felt even worse. The boy’s organism could not take the medications.  His skin turned yellow and he was vomiting all the time. The only way he could fall asleep was when he was sitting up.

While Olena was desperately fighting for her son’s life, she received a call from Svetlana, a missionary from the Volunteer Center in Krasnoarmiysk. Svetlana told Olena to call “Emmanuel Association”, which provides medical assistance in the framework of its cooperation with “Pope for Ukraine” Initiative. «Just call them and you will get the help you need! Dima needs to be examined by other specialists!”

Olena called Emmanuel’s hotline to apply for help and just a few days later she came to Kyiv with Dima. She was met at the train station and brought to the “Medical Mobile Clinic” where the boy was examined by a pediatrician. After all necessary test and exams were done the little patient was referred to the Department of Pediatrics at the Road Clinical Hospital No. 1

Little Dima was hospitalized and Yelena’s biggest concern was that she could not pay 1500 UAH for his hospital room. Thankfully, “Emmanuel” paid for everything, including their train tickets! The child underwent a complete examination and his previous “terrible” diagnosis was canceled!  It appeared that Dima had had a scarlet fever which led to complications with his liver and joints. Doctors assigned the child a new treatment and just a week later, Dima was able to go home, healthy and happy.

“We are so thankful to “Emmanuel” and to “Pope for Ukraine” Initiative for such invaluable support. I can’t imagine what I would do if they had continued to treat Dima incorrectly! You gave me joy! After all, the greatest happiness for a mother is when her child is healthy!” Olena shared with tears.

Dima is healthy now, he is able to run, dance, and he keeps telling everyone that he is going home! It’s his dream to enroll into a dancing club.

“What motivates people when they help people who are total strangers? Perhaps it’s the love of God… I also want to love others and help people. I saw that it was possible “- Olena shared.

We are grateful to Pope Francis and all Catholic Christians from Europe who answered the Pope’s call for help the conflict-affected people of Donbass!