Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Some of you will remember when Edward (Edik) came to Portsmouth for recuperation a couple of years ago.

Marian (Chair of the Portsmouth & Hayling Island Link and Area Co-Ordinator - totally voluntary role) and I went to Ukraine in December.  We were due to stay with the family, but plans changed at the last minute, by the education officer, and we stayed in a vacant flat.  We later found out that Zenia had cancer and was weak, so, despite them still wanting us to stay with them, it was decided that this would be too much for the family.

After a very emotional conversation, we established that the family had sold anything they had of value, such as their wedding rings, to pay for 2 cancer treatments.  At this time he was told he needed another 2-4 treatments.

The family, as with most of the families, simply don't have any money, working hard every month to earn in the region of £50 between them.  The treatment is around £350 for 2 sessions.

With that knowledge, Marian paid for the following treatments. 

Unfortunately, yesterday Marian received a message from a distraught Edward to say that the treatment has not worked.  Zenia's only option now is to have an even more aggressive form of treatment, which is even more expensive.  

In Ukraine they do not have a free health system like us, so if you don't have any means of paying for the treatment then you don't get it :(

This family are adorable and very close to our hearts.  Zenia not only has 2 children, but also a grandson (Stas) now too.  Zenia works 2 jobs, his wife also works full time, as does his daughter (Edward is still at school).  They have done everything they can and so we desperately want to give him the chance at fighting this.

If you are able to help at all, no matter how small, we would be so grateful.  We do not know the cost of the new treatment as yet, but time isn't on our side so we wanted to start fundraising as soon as we could.

Please take a look at the photos.  These were taken after Marian had been to the cash point and withdrawn the money from her bank account and was handing the money to Zenia.  As you can see,  this was very touching and, despite being a very proud man and embarrassed to accept help, he was overwhelmed by Marian's kindness.

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Jo and Marian Stapley BEM :)

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