Join the Fight: Save Lera’s Sight and Bring Light to Her World
Lera’s Journey: A Race Against Time
Meet Lera, a lively and spirited 5-year-old girl from Minsk, whose sparkling eyes and long lashes have won the hearts of everyone she meets. Behind her cheerful smile, however, lies a rare and severe corneal disease that threatens to take away her sight.
The Challenge of Neurotrophic Keratitis
Lera’s struggle began when she was just three months old, with keratitis in her left eye. Although initially managed with medication, the condition returned when she was three years old. She was then diagnosed with neurotrophic keratitis, a rare condition that affects fewer than 5 in 10,000 people, and is even rarer in children.
Neurotrophic keratitis poses a significant challenge in modern ophthalmology, especially in pediatric cases. Despite the best efforts of her doctors, Lera’s condition has progressed, and she has undergone several complex surgeries, including treatments in Moscow. However, these interventions have only provided temporary relief, and any viral infection can trigger a severe recurrence.
The Urgent Need for a Breakthrough Treatment
Currently, both of Lera’s eyes require treatment, and her vision has significantly deteriorated, with a deep ulcer forming in her left eye. The only hope for Lera to heal and preserve her vision lies in an innovative drug called Cenegermin (Oxervate). This groundbreaking medication can restore the trophic and sensory functions of nerve fibers and stimulate corneal healing within just eight weeks. Without timely treatment, Lera risks losing not only her vision but also her eye.
Lera’s Spirit and the Power of Hope
Despite her health challenges, Lera remains an active and curious child. She loves to draw, play with her dolls, and attend dance and theater classes. Her energy and positivity are infectious, lighting up the lives of those around her. For the past six months, however, Lera has been confined to hospital rooms, isolated from her friends and family. She dreams of overcoming her condition and returning to a world filled with exciting activities and loved ones.
How You Can Make a Difference
The cost of Cenegermin is $245,415. The Chance Charity Fund is leading the effort to raise funds for Lera’s treatment. You can contribute to this life-changing cause by making a donation through various methods:
- Via the ERIP system: Charity, Public Associations → Help for Children, Adults → Chance Fund → Donation for Valeria Kolos
- By making a USSD request from your mobile phone to the number 2228#
- By calling from a landline phone to the number 8-902-101-08-08, you will donate 3 rubles
- Through the Chance Fund website
For additional information, please contact: +375 (17) 215-00-66, +375 (44) 711-11-17.
By subscribing to regular monthly donations, you can provide ongoing support to children in need. Every bank card holder can make a difference quickly, easily, and most importantly, regularly. This will enable the Chance Fund to plan and provide necessary treatments for children without delay.
About Cenegermin
Cenegermin (Oxervate) is a recombinant human nerve growth factor developed by Dompé Farmaceutici SpA (Milan, Italy). It was approved for use in the European Union in 2017 and in the USA in 2018. Although not yet registered in Belarus, its safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in clinical trials. In these trials, 72% of patients achieved complete corneal healing after one course of treatment, and 96% experienced no recurrence. Over 5,000 people in the USA have been treated with Cenegermin, and it was recently registered in Russia, with 14 people receiving treatment in 2022.
