Mother’s Day Initiative: 1,000,000 UAH Raised for Children’s Surgeries As part of a special Mother’s Day campaign by Lancôme and the Tvoya Opora Charitable Foundation, 1,000,000 UAH was raised to fund life-saving surgeries for children with congenital heart defects. We’re honored to share the powerful stories of young patients who, thanks to your support, received the chance to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

Two Surgeries, One Dream: Davyd’s Brave Journey

Davyd’s parents learned about his serious diagnosis before he was even born. Had they known earlier, they might have considered terminating the pregnancy... But they chose life. That decision marked the beginning of a new path — one filled with challenges, but also with hope.

During pregnancy, doctors discovered a ventricular septal defect — a condition that would require surgical intervention. From Volyn, the family was referred to Kyiv for in-depth diagnostics and the best possible treatment. After Davyd’s birth, he and his mother were admitted to the Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology named after O.M. Lukyanova, and then transferred to the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery for further evaluation. Initially, doctors advised against immediate surgery, recommending regular monitoring instead.

According to Amosov Institute, 10 out of every 1,000 children are born with heart defects — but this is not a verdict.

At just 3 months old, Davyd underwent his first major surgery — the Glenn procedure. This operation is performed on children with complex heart conditions, helping reroute blood flow and reduce the workload on the heart’s only fully functional ventricle. It also increases oxygen levels in the blood. The Glenn procedure is often just one step in a longer treatment journey, and doctors advised the family to prepare for a second surgery in the future.

That second stage came five years later, in August 2023, following a routine examination at the Amosov Institute. Davyd was scheduled for the Fontan procedure, an even more complex and critical operation. It took 10 hours, followed by a month in intensive care and 99 days of rehabilitation — every moment precious for Davyd’s fragile heart.

This time, doctors implanted a biological valve conduit to further optimize his blood circulation. After three months in the hospital, Davyd’s surgical wounds finally healed, and he was able to return home with his parents.

His recovery is ongoing, and it’s still uncertain whether he will need more surgeries in the future. But for now, he’s full of courage — and dreams. Davyd wants to be a tractor driver when he grows up — a symbol of the hope and strength he shows every single day.

His fight for life was supported by Lancôme, as part of their Mother’s Day campaign in collaboration with the Tvoya Opora Foundation.

You too can help children like Davyd by supporting our project “Big Little Heart.”
Your contribution can change a life.