27.08.2010 Thanks to our friends' help, the new rehabilitation center for orphan patients now has a new beautiful garden with a playground. Now we only have to plant flowers and trees, so that it would become even more green and beautiful.

26.08.2010 The prosthesis for Sergei Vasiliev has been paid for and ordered. We thank Sergei and all other people who have helped!

17.08.2010 News about orphan patients of our hospital.
Three new children have been admitted to the hospital. Among them, two children had been examined by our physicians during their visit to the city of Vologda: Roma K., 14 years old (Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics), and Vika S., 3 years old (Department of Neurosurgery). Roma has already been operated. A new seven-year-old patient from Sakhalin, an island in the Far East of Russia, is Sasha P.. This boy is at the Department of Thoracic Surgery. He has a very complex disorder, yet he is very lively, active, and likes to play with other children.
Olya B-na has completed her treatment and left the hospital. After four years of hospital treatment and close friendship with our foundation, she is now beginning an independent life. Olya graduated from school this summer, and now she is going to become a seamstress. We do not say goodbye to her: of course, we will always be interested to hear about her new life and achievements!
After several complex surgical operations, Zhenya S. was discharged from the Department of Coloproctology. He is to arrive for a check-up at the beginning of next year. Misha M. from the Department of Neurosurgery was sent home: since the boy is in serious condition and the weather in Moscow was abnormally hot, it was decided to postpone his operation for a month. Little Kostya was discharged after an operation at the Department of Neurosurgery; he will arrive for follow-up treatment a year later. And Lyuba S., everybody's favorite, is also leaving the Department of Endocrinology to go back to her orphanage.

Presently there are 10 orphan patients at our hospital. Nurses hired by our Foundation take care of 8 children.

9.08.2010 Money for medical examination and treatment of Masha Zvonareva has been raised. We specially thank our Italian friends from the Aiutateci a salvare i bambini association, who almost instantly transferred 15,000 euro for the girl's treatment.

30.07.2010 Since the medical situation of Diana Vasilieva was very urgent, the insulin pump and consumables for this child were bought using the money donated "for all children".

21.07.2010 News about orphan children getting greatment at our hospital within the You Are Not Alone program.
Nina Ts. has been discharged from hospital, and our Foundation has received a letter of thanks from her orphanage.
Nastya V. (4 years old) from Kursk has been admitted to the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics. She is a quiet and very sweet-tempered child.

19.07.2010 Fine news about orphan patients of our hospital: three of them were recently taken into new families.
Zhenya P. left the rehabilitation center on July 8 and went home, to his new parents. Lyuda B. arrived at the Department of Microvascular Surgery for follow-up treatment; now she is also living in a new family with her little sister. And tiny Lena also left the hospital with her new parents. Good luck, our dear kids, our beloved friends! Be happy!

18.07.2010 We have completed the fundraising to buy an insulin pump for little Artem Teterin. Thank you very much for helping the boy!

17.07.2010 The total sum spent by the Regional Public Charity Foundation for Seriously ill and Abandoned Children on purchase of medications, equipment, consumables, payments for medical examinations and services to patients of the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital in June 2010 was 5,386,090.76 roubles (about $176,595).
The sum transferred from the account of the Foundation was 4,286,051.48 roubles ($140,525). Direct aid from private persons was also received: Sergei paid 1,000,000 roubles for construction of playground at the new rehabilitation center for orphan patients; Roman provided Exjade worth 100,039.28 roubles for Nurullah Burtiev. Continued...

15.07.2010 Some news about orphan patients of our hospital.
Five new orphans have been admitted to the hospital for examination and treatment: Zhenya S. (14 years old, Department of Coloproctology), Lyuba S. (5 years old, Department of Endocrinology), Lena L. (5 years old), Sasha P. (8 years old, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery), and Misha M. (3 years old, Department of Neurosurgery).
Vlad K. has undergone a surgical operation at the Department of Neurosurgery; his further treatment will take place at the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics.
Now about our "old friends". Masha S. had a surgical intervention on the other leg; she is already feeling fine. Olya B-na is completing her treatment: she has undergone the final stage of rhinoplasty. After four years of difficult treatment, she will at last be healthy when she turns eighteen.

Presently there are 18 orphan patients at the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital; nurses hired by our Foundation take care of 15 children.

14.07.2010 The complete sum required for buying a shadowless operating lamp for the Department of Craniofacial Surgery has been raised. Thank you for your support!

13.07.2010 Prof. V.V. Palm, Head of Department of Neurosurgery, has asked for financial aid in purchase of new expensive equipment for his department: a CODMAN ICP EXPRESS*IEC 230V device for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. The apparatus with add-ons costs about 1,500,000 roubles. Continued...

12.07.2010 Presently we are interrupting our fundraising for purchase of Exjade for Nurullah Burtiev, Renat Gamzaev, Gleb Kilin, Sergei Bizyaev, Andrei Chipilev, and Alina Maltseva. The amount of this drug that has already been bought is sufficient to provide them with it till the end of this summer. In the autumn, the children are to get this drug at place of residence free of charge. However, the future situation with Exjade in 2011 is not yet clear, and we are ready to resume this fundraising as soon as it is necessary.

9.07.2010 We are interrupting the fundraising for the benefit of Tanya K.. After additional examinations and consultations with rehabilitation specialists in the beginning of July, it was decided that sending this girl to the Czech Republic for treatment is not recommended now. In any case, we thank you for your support. If people who donated money for Tanya don't mind, the sum raised for her treatment will be readdressed to Kristina Krivenkova.

5.07.2010 The fundraising for brothers Ilyas and Inal G., Liza Smirnova, Ilya Novgorodtsev, and Dima Dolgikh is over. Thank you for your help!

26.06.2010 Some news about orphan patients of our hospital.
Two six-month-old babies have been admitted for a medical examination: Kostya, to the Department of Neurosurgery; Lena, to the Diagnostic Department. The administration of their orphanage has asked us not to place the children's photographs on our Web site.
A new patient of the Department of Microvascular Surgery is Nina Ts. (10 years old) from the Moscow region. Nina is a quiet and very affectionate girl. She is to have plastic surgery.
Masha S. has come for a check-up.
And some very good news. Andrei Sh., who first arrived at our hospital in a wheelchair a year ago, with uncertain hopes for some improvement, now not only walks without crutches but even plays football with other boys - he is a goalkeeper!
And Nikita's treatment also seems to be successful. Now he is back from Barcelona. He is completing his rehabilitation at the new center, and specialists recommended by Spanish physicians are examining and consulting him (unfortunately, there won't be a chance to get such consultations after Nikita returns to his orphanage). Readers of our Web site can see a small photo gallery showing Nikita's life at the rehabilitation center. Nikita is a charming and very kind boy, and he is used to life in a family: he has spent only a brief time at the orphanage. All serious problems with his health have been resolved, and he needs only a loving family. It is very painful for us to send this wonderful boy back to his orphanage...
Presently there are 13 orphan patients at the hospital; 10 of them are under care of nurses hired by our Foundation. In addition, 11 children undergo rehabilitation at the new center.
Thank you for your constant support of orphan patients, both financial and volunteer! Thanks to this help, the time spent at the hospital becomes the most interesting, the happiest time in life for many of them.

17.06.2010 The total sum spent by the Regional Public Charity Foundation for Seriously ill and Abandoned Children on purchase of medications, equipment, consumables, payments for medical examinations and services to patients of the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital in May 2010 was 6,001,917.33 roubles (about $196,785). Continued...

30.05.2010 We have completed the fundraising for the benefit of Arina Zherdeva, Kira Bulbak, and Sofia Kharitonova. Thank you for your aid! The appliances for the girls have been ordered and will be delivered in the nearest few days.

28.05.2010 On May 12 and 13, 2010, a team of physicians from the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital visited Vologda, a city in northeastern part of European Russia, within the You Are Not Alone program. The team was headed by Irina V. Kondratenko, Head of the Department of Clinical Immunology, and also included an endocrinologist, an allergologist, an orthopedist, and a neurologist. The specialists examined children from four orphanages located in Volodga and the surrounding region, and also orphans who are presently under foster care in families. A total of 262 consultations were given, and the necessary therapy was prescribed or adjusted. In the most complex cases, the children were referred for treatment at the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital and other medical institutions in Moscow. Continued...

26.05.2010. Some news about orphan patients of our hospital.
Three of our former patients have recently been readmitted to the hospital for follow-up treatment: Katya M-va, to the Department of Nephrology; Slava U., to the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery (where specialists will put braces on his teeth); and Vlad K., to the Department of Neurosurgery.

24.05.2010 Good news from Spain: Nikita has undergone a difficult but successful surgical operation on his chest. The sutures have already been removed, and the boy is recovering. Some time ago he could not even taste solid food owing to a serious congenital pathology. And now he can eat anything with pleasure and without any problems. The boy is feeling fine. We are looking forward to his arrival in Moscow at the end of this week.

17.05.2010 About orphan patients of our hospital. Danya A. has been discharged after treatment. He wears glasses now and feels very proud of this. About a year later, he will come for a check-up.

16.05.2010 In April 2010, our Foundation provided financial aid to the hospital and its patients for a total of 2,607,673.16 roubles (approx. $84,950). The sum transferred from the account of the Regional Public Charity Foundation for Seriously ill and Abandoned Children was 2,411,806.72 roubles, and private persons directly donated 195,866.44 roubles: Roman helped buy Exjade for Marina Revenkova and Andrei Chipilev. Continued...

12.05.2010 Some news about orphan patients getting treatment within the You Are Not Alone program.
Ira G. has been sent to the Childhood Rehabilitation Center after completion of her treatment.
Nikita Ya., accompanied by Natalia Artemieva (member of our foundation responsible for programs concerning orphan patients), has left for Barcelona, where he will undergo a difficult surgical operation. This was his first journey by plane, and Nikita is full of impressions. We all hope that his operation will be successful and he will return to Moscow in good health.

Pavel T-v has been discharged from the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital and transferred to a hospital at his place of residence (Ivanovo region). A year ago Pavel was operated by our surgeons; however, serious alterations in brain tissues and vessels that had emerged during his life owing to a cranial malformation caused a number of complications. The boy has undergone long treatment at the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital, and now constant medical observation is necessary. We will closely follow all events in Pavel's life and hope that he will be all right.
A wonderful new boy from the Komi Republic has been admitted to the Department of Endocrinology. Danya A. is five years old. He is very active and inquisitive, but at the same time patient and obedient.

29.04.2010 Some news about orphan patients of the hospital getting treatment within the You Are Not Alone program.
The fundraising for Slava U. is over. Yesterday a sponsor, who wanted to stay anonymous, handed us the entire remaining sum to pay for the boy's orthodontic braces. We are deeply grateful to him.
Anya P. has left the hospital after a rehabilitation course at the new rehabilitation center. Several months later she is to arrive for the second surgical operation, which will make her completely healthy.

28.04.2010 We are interrupting the fundraising for bone marrow transplantation to Arsenii Zhurbenko. No donor has been found so far, and the prospects of the transplantation are still unclear.

26.04.2010 The fundraising for the benefit of Sofia Danilova has been completed. Thank you for your compassion and aid! The medication for the girl has been ordered, and it will be delivered to the hospital in the nearest few days.

20.04.2010 And what about the life of our patients at the new rehabilitation center? We haven't told about it for a long time.
Now 12 orphan patients together with nurses live in this cottage. They undergo medical and rehabilitation procedures, works with specialists in exercise therapy and with psychologists. School-age children visit classes at the local village school, and visiting teachers come to those children who cannot go to school by bus. A special person at this rehabilitation center helps the children with their homework and provides them with good books.
Since the weather has become warm, children spend a lot of time outdoors, cycling or playing at the playground. Volunteers come to them every day and organize various hobby groups: the children draw, make some handiwork, play the piano, use a personal computer. Recently the building became connected to the internet.
The children also learn cooking, housekeeping and the basics of work with carpenter tools. This is especially important for children who have no parents to teach them and no home of their own.
See photo gallery: rehabilitation center in April 2010.

* * *

Ilya Polyanskii, a former patient of our hospital, visited us together with his grandmother. He got treatment for nephroblastoma at the Department of Oncology four years ago. We did not specially announce fundraising for his treatment on our Web site, but at that time we bought the necessary medications for the entire department so that the children could get vitally necessary therapy in accordance with the medical protocol.
Now Ilya is all right and quite happy. He is studying at an art school. His grandmother handed us a letter of thanks to all who had helped this friendly family during the difficult time at the hospital.

19.04.2010 Deputy Director of Federal Center for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology Prof. A.A. Maschan and Head of the Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation E.V. Skorobogatova have asked our Foundation for aid in purchase of reagents for high-precision molecular typing of cord blood specimens.
The total cost of the reagents is about 135,000 rubles ($4630). Continued...

16.04.2010 The total sum spent by the Regional Public Charitable Foundation for Seriously ill and Abandoned Children on purchase of medications, equipment, consumables, payments for examinations and medical services in March 2010 was 2,379,600.18 roubles ($81,660). Continued...
This sum includes over 550,000 roubles paid to buy Exjade for patients with hereditary anemias.
We also received direct aid from private persons: Sergei handed 90,000 roubles to buy an insulin pump and a set of consumables for Nicole Manko within the program for helping children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; Roman bought Biseptol [co-trimoxazole] worth a total of 225,000 roubles within the program for support of patients with cystic fibrosis. Thank you very much!

11.04.2010 See the photo gallery showing the Easter Liturgy at our hospital church:

10.04.2010 Some news about orphan patients of our hospital.
Tanya K. has recovered after an operation at the Department of Microvascular Surgery. She has been allowed to go back to her orphanage, and in May she will arrive at the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics for rehabilitation.
Masha S. has also left the hospital till May. She was so reluctant to leave her nurse!
Hearing aids have been bought for Natasha G., and now an audiologist is working with her.
Ira G. (9 years old) from the Vladimir region has been admitted to the Department of Microvascular Surgery. She has already undergone a surgical operation.
Little Anya P. (1.5 years old) was recently operated at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery. Now she is undergoing rehabilitation at the new center.
Our old friend Olya B-na has arrived at the hospital for the final plastic surgery on her nose. Her orthodontic correction is still going on.

Our doctors are glad to see Zhenya P.'s progress. His physician Yulia Averyanova says that the boy is fine. His prognosis was poor a year ago: short bowel syndrome is difficult to treat. But successful reconstructive and plastic surgery on his intestines, together with rehabilitation, have done a miracle. Now the boy is no longer dependent on infusions and parenteral nutrition. His life and health are not in danger, and the only thing he really needs is a family. The staff of the Department of Abdominal Surgery have got to love this kid, and they hope that some time they will be able to hand this kid into the loving arms of his new parents. The boy is very active and happy. See Zhenya's photo gallery!
Presently there are 13 orphan patients at the hospital; 6 nurses hired by the Foundation take care of them. Also, there are 8 orphan patients at the new rehabilitation center.

10.04.2010 Head of the Department of Coloproctology A.L. Ionov has asked our Foundation for financial aid in purchase of equipment for this department:
"For adequate diagnosis and treatment of colorectal disorders in children, it is necessary to perform a combined functional examination of rectal function and condition of pelvic floor muscles (anorectal manometry etc.). Continued...
Presenly, unfortunately, the apparatus formerly used for such examinations has already become overage and obsolete. Consumables for this equipment are no longer produced. In addition, its technical condition is unsatisfactory because of frequent breakdowns and subsequent maintenance works.
However, specialized aid to children with coloproctologic problems at the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital will be impossible without such equipment!
A new apparatus for these diagnostic procedures is required. It costs at least 40,000 euro."

Our charitable foundation is launching a new program: help for children with combined allergic disorders (dermatorespiratory syndrome). The use of a new drug, Xolair, makes it possible to achieve marked improvement in the condition of such children. Unfortunately, this expensive drug is not presently provided to the hospital at the expense of the stage budget.

9.04.2010 Head of the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery A.V. Lopatin has asked our Foundation for aid in purchase of instruments:
" Please consider providing aid in buying a shadowless operating lamp for the surgical dressing room of the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery. We need this lamp to perform certain procedures on children under anesthesia. These are children getting treatment for maxillofacial, ophthalmologic, and neurologic disorders. The cost of the lamp is about 550,000 roubles ($18,875). In view of our longstanding and fruitful cooperation in helping seriously ill children, considering also your participation in the foundation and work of our Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, I hope for your understanding and aid".

8.04.2010 Head of the X-ray Department Tatiana E. Netsvetaeva has handed us a letter of thanks to our Foundation for participating in fundraising for purchase of Mobile DaRt Evolution X-ray setup.

6.04.2010 This Saturday, just before Easter, Varya Bondarenko died. It all happened very fast, even before her condition has diagnosed and treatment could be started...

26.03.2010 Recently our old friend Stanislav Brynza came to our hospital for a check-up. Fortunately, he is all right and in excellent spirits. He handed us his new photograph and a letter for children who are now getting treatment at the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital:
"I wish all the children to recover! I was also treated at this hospital. It was a very difficult time, but now it is over, and I have a normal life. Maybe better than any healthy person.
Never give up!
Stas Brynza"

23.03.2010 The fundraising for treatment of Anastasia Mikhailichenko is over. We thank an anonymous woman from the parish of the Sts. Cosma and Damian Church, who has transferred the entire needed sum for Anastasia.

22.03.2010 We are starting fundraising for the benefit of orphan patient Nikita Ya.; he has not yet returned to the hospital, but an important decision concerning further aid to this boy has been made.
After an examination at the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital and a consultation at the Bakulev Center for Cardiovascular Surgery, it was decided that his rare and complex disorder should be treated abroad. The surgical treatment and therapy will cost a total of 15,000 euro.

We are completing the fundraising for the benefit of Polina Danilyuk and Dilyara Sibgatullina. Thank you for helping the girls so quickly!

20.03.2010 Presently the required amounts of immunosuppressive and antiviral drugs for patients of the Department of Kidney Transplantation have been purchased. During the autumn and winter of 2009/2010, all children got the necessary drugs from personal and general donations. Thank you for your help! We are removing the request for financial aid to patients of this department from the first page of our Web site.

18.03.2010 Matvei Korzh is recovering after the third transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells in his five-year-old life. He is currently being discharged from hospital for out-patient treatment. The physicians and parents do their best to achieve stable remission. By the way, Matvei's brother was recently born!

17.03.2010 Our foundation has received an official letter from I.E. Volkov, Head of Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, and A.A. Bologov, Deputy Head Physician of Russian Children's Clinical Hospital:
"Among children getting intensive insulin therapy for diabetes mellitus type I, only about 5-7% patients in Russia have compensated condition. The most rational and internationally acknowledged way of insulin administration, leading to better compensation of the patients' condition and improving the quality of their life, is insulin pump therapy. However, the use of this method in our country is very limited owing to high cost of insulin pumps: one pump with the complete set of peripherals and consumables costs about 180,000 roubles (over $6000). For this reason, it would be fine if your foundation could consider purchasing insulin pumps for young children from poor families in cases where there are absolute indications for this kind of therapy."
The Help and Charity Service of the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital is launching a new program to help children with insulin-dependent diabetes.

16.03.2010 Some news about orphan patients of our hospital.
Inna N. has been discharged after successful completion of her treatment. This time is lasted three months. It was a pity for us and for other children to part with Inna. However, she didn't waste time: during her stay in Moscow, she managed to complete professional cooking courses!
Andrei S. has also left the hospital after completion of his treatment. He first appeared at the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics three years ago. He could not walk because of a serious congenital disorder, and nobody hoped that his problems could be overcome. However, the physicians have managed to achieve the impossible: Andrei left the hospital on his own legs!
Milena has come back to the hospital after a rehabilitation course. We missed her very much!

12.03.2010 We whole-heartedly thank our friend Oleg L., who has paid for the expensive equipment requested by the hospital: Mobile DaRt Evolution X-ray setup, (about $500,000), Oxy Megastation apparatus for correction of facial scars using microdermabrasion ($30,000), and multichannel EEG appliance with video EEG function (€101,200). During the next two months, all this equipment will be delivered to our hospital.

9.03.2010 The fundraising for the benefit of Nicole Manko has been completed. We thank Sergei, who has provided the entire sum for buying the insulin pump and consumables.
The fundraising for Nastya Zhuravleva is also over. Many thanks to all who have responded!

5.03.2010 Some news about orphan patients of our hospital.
Presently there are 20 children from orphanages at our hospital and rehabilitation center. Six nurses hired by our foundation take care of them.
Five children have been discharged.
Denis K. has left the hospital after long surgical treatment and rehabilitation. He will come to Moscow for further rehabilitation in April, but already to another hospital.
Katya M-va has received a trial course of therapy with new drugs. The result was fine, and now she can leave the hospital for six-month out-patient treatment.
The boys from the Orel region have been discharged: Misha M. has completed his treatment, and Vlad K. will be admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery in May.
Anna O. has been discharged after several successful operations at the Departments of Coloproctology and Urology. She has a complex malformation, for which she will have to undergo long multistage treatment. So she will come to our hospital several times.

12.03.2010 We whole-heartedly thank our friend Oleg L., who has paid for the expensive equipment requested by the hospital: Mobile DaRt Evolution X-ray setup, (about $500,000), Oxy Megastation apparatus for correction of facial scars using microdermabrasion ($30,000), and multichannel EEG appliance with video EEG function (€101,200). During the next two months, all this equipment will be delivered to our hospital.

9.03.2010 The fundraising for the benefit of Nicole Manko has been completed. We thank Sergei, who has provided the entire sum for buying the insulin pump and consumables.
The fundraising for Nastya Zhuravleva is also over. Many thanks to all who have responded!

5.03.2010 Some news about orphan patients of our hospital.
Presently there are 20 children from orphanages at our hospital and rehabilitation center. Six nurses hired by our foundation take care of them.
Five children have been discharged.
Denis K. has left the hospital after long surgical treatment and rehabilitation. He will come to Moscow for further rehabilitation in April, but this time to another hospital.
Katya M-va has received a trial course of therapy with new drugs. The result was fine, and now she can leave the hospital for six-month out-patient treatment.
The boys from the Orel region have been discharged: Misha M. has completed his treatment, and Vlad K. will be admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery in May.
Anna O. has been discharged after several successful operations at the Departments of Coloproctology and Urology. She has a complex malformation, for which she will have to undergo long multistage treatment. So she will come to our hospital several times.

25.02.2010 Head of the Department of Endoscopic Surgery A.V. Myzin has handed us a letter of thanks concerning cooperation between his department and our foundation. A number of devices and instruments purchased thanks to the help of our sponsors have enabled the doctors to improve the quality of treatment and to implement up-to-date surgical technologies. He hopes for further efficient and fruitful cooperation.
Presently this department needs certain appliances that are not extremely expensive but still very important: to perform endoscopic operations on lungs and bronchi, the surgeons need endoscopic snares and a balloon catheter. The total cost of these instruments is about 60,000 roubles ($2000). See details...

18.02.2010 Some news about orphan patients of our hospital.
Presently 15 children from orphanages are getting in-patient treatment at our hospital, and 8 more children are at the new rehabilitation center. Nurses hired by our foundation take care of 15 children.
Little Zhenya P. has returned to the Department of Abdominal Surgery. He is 1.5 years old now. The kid is learning to speak. He walks all over the department, smiles to everybody, and waves his little hand when saying "Bye-bye".
Milena has left the hospital to undergo a one-month rehabilitation course at the Detstvo health center.

16.02.2010 We have published the financial report on the work of the Regional Public Charity Foundation for Seriously ill and Abandoned Children and aid provided to departments of the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital, patients and their families in 2009. The total sum raised in 2009 exceeded 56,000,000 rubles (given the current rouble/dollar rate, it is about 1.9 million USD).
Continued...

15.02.2010 Fundraising for the benefit of Abdul-Aziz Amankeev has been completed. The medication for the boy has been purchased, and now it will be handed to his mother. We thank the Charity Addresses society for helping the boy!

10.02.2010 Olya B-na has recovered after the surgery and left the hospital till April. When she arrives here again in the spring, she will undergo final medical manipulations of mostly cosmetic nature.

3.02.2010 Two teenagers from the Orel region have been admitted to the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics within the You Are Not Alone program. They are Vlad K. (14 years old) and Misha M. (11 years old).

2.02.2010 Our charitable foundation has received three applications from the hospital administration for purchase of up-to-date medical equipment. All three devices are equally necessary, and all three are very expensive: a mobile X-ray system, an apparatus for correction of cicatricial skin lesions, and a Multichannel EEG setup with video-EEG monitoring option. The total cost of all three devices is over 20.5 million roubles (given the current rouble/dollar rate, about $683,000). See the links above to read about each of these setups.

29.01.2010 When Milena first came to our hospital from Yakutia in 2006, she was only five years old. Over all these years, our foundation has been providing various kinds of aid to her. Milena is our dear friend, and our new rehabilitation center has become a real home for her.
On January 23, Milena celebrated her 9th birthday there. It was a real party with guests, lots of presents, beautiful dresses and dancing. Milena said that it was the best birthday in her life. See the photographs below.

28.01.2010 Anya O. has been admitted to the hospital for follow-up treatment. We became good friends with this active and merry girl when she was in Moscow last time. Now Anya is already 3. She is quite a big girl, interested in books, especially in her favorite interactive book that "speaks" bird and animal voices.
Olya B-na had rhinoplasty two days ago. This is the final stage of her long treatment, which lasted almost four years. Presently she is recovering after her surgical operation and looking forward to seeing its results in the mirror.

27.01.2010 And sad news again. We have learned about the deaths of Nikita Semenov and Kolya Davydkin (the latter boy was not shown on the first page of our Web site, because he mostly got financial aid for everyday expenses, not for treatment).
It is very painful to write about such things. But sad news are inevitable in our work. It is sometimes difficult to live and work when you think about this. But we must hold on, in memory of those who have passed away and for the sake of those who are alive and should survive!

25.01.2010 On January 21, Vlada Drozdova underwent bone marrow transplantation from an unrelated donor. We thank all people who donated money for the girl and thus enabled the doctors to perform this transplantation in due time!
The fundraising to buy the necessary drug for Vasilisa Vinokurova has been completed. Thank you for your help and compassion!

20.01.2010 Some news about orphan patients of our hospital.
All children from the Orel region have been discharged from hospital. Veronika P. has also returned to her orphanage after the next successful stage of surgical treatment. For 1.5 years we could not even place her photograph on her page, because this girl had virtually no normal face... Now the surgeons' skilful hands have created this face, and you can see Veronika on our Web site.
Three children are back to the hospital after a break in treatment: Tanya K., Katya M-va, and little Masha S. (after rehabilitation at the new center).
Andrei Sh. is going to have follow-up surgery at the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics. After the recent preparative surgery, the boy has started learning to walk on crutches. The surgeons say that this skill will promote rehabilitation after the future radical operation and allow Andrei to start walking on his own in a shorter time.

14.01.2010 In the first days of January, we got tragic news from St. Petersburg: Vadim Gritchin died. After bone marrow transplantation, the boy developed severe graft vs. host disease, which could not be overecome by any existing drugs. May this boy rest in peace. We wish strength and courage to his wonderful mother Anastasia.

13.01.2010 Some news about orphan patients of our hospital, who get treatment within the You Are Not Alone program.
Rodion R. has been discharged after a successful surgical operation on his eyes. The entire department dearly loved the boy. He got a radio controlled toy car as the New Year present and was just amazed by it. Now the boy is completely all right. See his page for his new photograph.
Nikita has returned to his orphanage after an examination. The physicians have invited him for follow-up examination in February, and we are looking forward to see this charming boy again.
Four children from the Lipetsk region have been admitted to the Department of Traumatology: Dima E. (6 years old), Pavel N. (10 years old), Ilya N. (6 years old), and Natasha G. (10 years old). And our old friend Olya B-na has arrived at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery for the final stage of surgical treatment.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!