Chance Foundation: Help Little Kira Triumph Over Adversity

With a bright smile, little Kira takes her uncertain steps with her arms wide open. Close by, within arm’s reach, is her caring mother. It’s a typical scene of a child taking her first steps. But what you might not know is that this little one, at just one year and ten months old, is learning to walk all over again.

A Sudden Turn of Events

The youngest daughter in a close-knit and loving family from the small town of Kletsk was born in May 2022. Kira brought joy to everyone with her little milestones: her first steps at 10 months, her first words, and her active curiosity about the world around her.

Everything changed suddenly. Kira’s parents became concerned about her previously active state and took her to the local hospital suspecting rotavirus. Just two days later, their little girl was being prepared for brain surgery at the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Minsk.

“A doctor came in and asked me to step into his office. After a few seconds of silence, he said, ‘My name is Alexander Petrovich, and tomorrow I will be operating on your child. She has a tumor, and it’s most likely malignant…’ At that moment, it felt like it wasn’t real, like it wasn’t happening to me, like I was just dreaming… I covered my face with my hands and cried,” recalls Kira’s mother.

Kira’s Journey to Recovery

Due to the risk of damaging brain structures, the tumor couldn’t be completely removed. After the surgery, Kira developed convergent strabismus, lost her ability to walk, and her coordination was impaired. She couldn’t even sit up on her own.

Despite the short time since her major surgery and chemotherapy, little Kira, with her stubborn spirit, is making incredible progress in her recovery. Today, she’s the same curious Kira, interested in everything around her: drawing, molding, playing the children’s piano, and helping her mother in the kitchen.

The part of the tumor that remained after the surgery still threatens Kira’s life. The only way to get rid of it is proton therapy, which precisely targets the tumor cells with radiation. This treatment is expensive and not available in Belarus. However, the Medical Institute named after Berezin (MIBS) in St. Petersburg is ready to accept Kira for treatment.

How You Can Help

The clinic has agreed to accept Kira based on a guarantee letter from the foundation. On March 6, Kira began her preparation for proton therapy: a diagnostic lumbar puncture, topometry (CT scan) for creating a radiation mask, and an MRI of the brain with contrast, which doctors use to prepare the treatment plan.

In 7-10 days, the main treatment will begin—a course of proton therapy that will last 6-8 weeks. Little Kira is taking her small steps towards a big victory. And together, we can support her and help her on this journey.

The cost of the treatment is 4,835,603 Russian rubles. Together, we can help Kira return to a carefree childhood life without pain and hospital rooms.

You can help Kira by making a donation to the Chance Foundation’s charity account:

Through the ERIP system → Charity, public associations → Help for children, adults → Chance Foundation → Donation for Kira Zayats
By making a USSD request from your mobile phone to *222*8#
By calling from a landline to 8-902-101-08-08, you will donate 5 rubles
Through the Chance Foundation’s website here

For more information, please call: +375 (17) 215-00-66, +375 (44) 711-11-17.