As part of the Lancôme and 'Tvoya Opora' initiative for Mother's Day, we raised 1,000,000 UAH to fund surgeries for children. We are sharing the stories of young patients who received a chance for a healthy life.

From the very beginning, Ivanna’s life was filled with love and care. Her diagnosis became known only a month after her birth, when, during a routine check-up, the doctor detected a heart murmur. That moment marked the start of the family's journey to save Ivanna’s health — a journey that took them from a hospital in Vinnytsia straight to the Amosov Institute in Kyiv. There, cardiologists confirmed: the child had a congenital heart defect.

The diagnosis — atrial septal defect — meant that there was a small hole in Ivanna’s heart, allowing blood to circulate improperly and placing additional strain on her heart and lungs. The mixing of blood in the heart posed a high risk of heart failure and other complications. The treatment? Surgery, but not immediately. First, the patient needed to grow stronger and gain enough weight to safely undergo the procedure. That was the recommendation given to Ivanna’s family — to wait until the little girl was older.

For two years, the family lived in tension and hope, closely watching Ivanna grow. Last autumn, the little girl began to tire easily, became irritable, and signs of cyanosis appeared. Without hesitation, her mother took her to the Amosov Institute, where doctors confirmed: surgery was urgently needed. Fortunately, everything went successfully — during the operation, surgeons managed to repair the heart defect and restore normal blood circulation.

According to preliminary forecasts, Ivanna is unlikely to need further surgeries, although regular cardiologist check-ups will be necessary. This story is not only about overcoming a heart defect but also about a family's unshakable faith in a better future. Ivanna's family is from Beryslav, Kherson region — a town that continues to suffer from constant shelling by Russia.

We were able to help this brave little girl thanks to Lancôme and the "Big Little Heart" project. We are deeply grateful to everyone who took part in the Mother’s Day charity initiative in 2023!