Ms. Marina had dreamed of motherhood for many years. When one day she saw two lines on a pregnancy test, at first she could hardly believe it. It felt like a dream she had waited for far too long. The doctor confirmed the pregnancy, and Marina’s heart filled with a quiet, trembling joy.

The pregnancy went smoothly; the mother felt well, and the baby grew as he should. When Hryhorii was born — small, weighing 2.7 kg — they were discharged home. Marina cried with happiness: their family had now been completed by the most precious addition — their son. It seemed that life had finally found meaning, filled with warmth, laughter, and hope.

But after some time, the parents began to notice that Hryhorii had become restless and was hardly gaining weight. They turned to doctors — and the words they heard broke their hearts.

The boy was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot — a complex congenital heart defect in which the structure of the heart is disrupted so that the body receives insufficient oxygen-rich blood. Without surgery, this condition threatens life.

Despite fear and uncertainty, the parents stayed strong together and believed in their son’s resilience. The surgery was successful. Within a few days, little Hryhorii — so small and yet so strong — began gaining weight, sleeping more peacefully, and holding his mother’s finger more firmly.

Marina says that Hryhorii is still too little to dream about the future, but sometimes she imagines him as a brave police officer, protecting people. Yet the most important thing is simple: whatever he becomes, they will always be there to support him. What matters most is that he is alive, healthy, and happy.

Hryhorii’s surgery and treatment were made possible thanks to the generous support of Lancôme, which helped the family in their most difficult moment. Their assistance provided all the necessary medications and materials.

This support was given as part of the “Big Little Heart” project for St. Nicholas Day 2024 — a project that gives children not just assistance, but a chance for a life filled with light and a future.