Rostyk’s mother found out about his heart defect during her 19th week of pregnancy.
Local doctors advised her not to take risks and to terminate the pregnancy.
But she refused — packed her bags and headed to Kyiv, to the Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, holding on to hope for a miracle.

And the miracle happened!
Rostyslav was born — but he didn’t even get to see his mother. He was immediately transferred to the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery.
He spent his first five days in intensive care, and soon doctors confirmed not one, but three congenital heart defects. He underwent his first surgery, followed by a long road to recovery.

Rostyk fought for his life — and he won!

Until the age of seven, he lived like any other child: went to kindergarten, played football, and rode his bike with friends.
But during a routine check-up, doctors noticed a sharp increase in pressure gradient. At first, they monitored it. But when it spiked suddenly, the doctors said: emergency surgery was needed.

Nine hours that felt like an eternity…

For his mother, they were the longest hours of her life.
Finally, the surgery to remove subaortic stenosis was successful!

Now Rostyk is recovering and dreaming big — to become a famous footballer like Cristiano Ronaldo, play on the world stage, and fight his battles — this time, on the football field!

Rostyk’s family is deeply grateful to Lancôme for providing all the necessary medications and medical supplies for his surgery and intensive care recovery.

He received the essential treatment at the Amosov Institute thanks to the “Big Little Heart” initiative by Lancôme, launched for St. Nicholas Day in 2023.

Many more children with heart defects are still waiting for a life-saving surgery.
But without our help, their future hangs in the balance.

Support the “Big Little Heart” project. Every donation is another heart saved!