As part of the Lancôme and "Tvoya Opora" initiative, we are sharing the stories of children who have undergone life-saving heart surgeries.

Right after Zhanna was born, her parents learned that their daughter had a congenital heart defect. Tetralogy of Fallot — one of the most common complex heart conditions among children over the age of three — was her diagnosis.
This defect involves four different structural abnormalities in the heart. Common symptoms include cyanosis, dizziness, and developmental delays. More than half of children with Tetralogy of Fallot do not survive past the age of 10–12 without surgical intervention, which is why early cardiac surgery is essential.

From birth, Zhanna was referred to the National Amosov Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery. At just two months old, she underwent her first operation — an anastomosis and shunting procedure. The surgery was successful, but doctors warned that another intervention would be necessary.
Every three months, Zhanna’s mother took her for check-ups at the Amosov Institute.

As Zhanna grew, her heart could not keep up. Her condition began to worsen, and the anastomosis — the connection between her blood vessels — narrowed significantly.
At only 18 months old, she had to undergo another urgent surgery. She was rushed straight into the operating room, where surgeons worked to widen the tubes in her tiny heart. At that time, the doctors said: "This should be the last major surgery."

For nearly 13 years, the family cherished every day — Zhanna lived a normal life.
But last summer, she began experiencing increased fatigue and difficulty breathing. By September, she felt overwhelming anxiety about her health. Dizziness and persistent headaches were added to her symptoms. Her mother immediately decided to take her back to the Amosov Institute for an urgent examination.
There, the family received difficult news: Zhanna needed another surgery. Over the course of six hours, doctors implanted a biological aortic valve in her heart. Thankfully, the operation was successful, and Zhanna did not have to spend much time in intensive care.

In the future, our brave girl will need another valve replacement.
But for now, Zhanna has returned to her normal life — dreaming of continuing her passion for singing and participating in competitions.
Every surgery like this one is a symbol of hope and a lifeline for children born with heart defects. We are deeply grateful to Lancôme for supporting Zhanna through our "Big Little Heart" project.

Anyone who wishes to help save children's hearts can join our cause at any time through our website.