In the eighth month of pregnancy, Karina’s mother learned that her baby girl had a heart defect.
Immediately after birth, the newborn was urgently transported to Kyiv, where doctors performed her first heart surgery.

At that time, the doctors warned: another surgery would be needed when the girl grew older.
Karina’s parents were extremely attentive to her health — they visited the cardiologist regularly, every three months, to monitor her condition.

When Karina turned 12, her doctor noticed a deterioration and referred her to the Amosov Institute.
There, she was diagnosed with discordant ventriculo-arterial connection — and urgent surgery was required.
The operation lasted six hours. Afterward, the doctors shared the best possible news: no more surgeries would be needed!

Having gone through this journey, Karina realized she wanted to become a doctor — to save lives just as hers was once saved.

We wish Karina strong health, the fulfillment of her dreams, and great victories ahead!
After all, this is the essence of the “The Great Little Heart” project — to help children with congenital heart defects receive timely, high-quality medical care.

Thanks to Charity Chain, a joint project of the Tvoya Opora Foundation and Guzema Jewelry, this incredible girl received all the necessary medicines and medical supplies during her treatment.
Our reliable partner, Credit Agricole Ukraine, also provided the vital drug Custodiol free of charge for her open-heart surgery.