Good morning. My name is Lilianna, and I am a fourteen-month-old girl. My life, though short so far, has already been filled with battles no child should have to face. At just six weeks old, I received a diagnosis that changed everything: a malignant tumor called retinoblastoma. From that very moment, my journey became a fight for life, for health, and for the chance to see the world’s beauty.
At seven weeks old, my battle began. I underwent four cycles of general chemotherapy, three cycles of intra-arterial chemotherapy, and three intravitreal injections. Each procedure, each treatment, was daunting, but I faced them bravely, even when fear and pain made me cry. Despite the efforts to save it, my left eye could not be preserved. The tumor had consumed three-quarters of it, and secondary glaucoma caused unbearable pressure, making each day a struggle. On Children’s Day, I underwent surgery—enucleation of my left eye. Losing my eye was painful, but I knew it was part of my fight to survive.
Today, I continue my battle for my right eye, which still carries three tumors. It is my only window to the world, my only chance to witness the colors, shapes, and light that make life beautiful. Every day, I endure the effects of chemotherapy, which has impacted my body and requires careful attention from many medical specialists. Each check-up, each test, and each procedure is a step toward ensuring that I can grow, play, and keep pace with children my age.
My journey is not easy. I have undergone numerous procedures, including the insertion of a Broviac central catheter, which helps deliver medications safely into my veins. I travel periodically to Berlin for the replacement of my eye prosthesis, and I have frequent appointments at the Children’s Memorial Health Institute (IPCZD) in Warsaw. These trips, medications, therapies, rehabilitation sessions, and specialist appointments are expensive, and the costs quickly add up. My parents do everything they can to provide me with the care I need, but even their devotion cannot cover all of these necessities alone.
Through every procedure, I am surrounded by my parents’ love. Their dedication is endless; they are my protectors, my comfort, and my guiding light. They hold me close when I am scared, wipe my tears, and celebrate every small victory with joy. I am their little spark, their reason to fight, and they never cease to give everything they have to ensure that I have a chance at recovery.
Even though I am just over a year old, I have learned courage beyond my age. I face treatments that can be frightening, yet I manage to endure, to recover, and to return home with smiles and hugs. Each moment of bravery, each time I open my eyes to see my parents’ faces, reminds everyone around me that hope, love, and resilience are powerful forces.
Your support can make a real difference in my life. Every donation, no matter the size, helps my parents provide the treatments, medications, prostheses, and therapies that I so desperately need. Each contribution gives me a chance to continue my fight, to preserve the vision I have left, and to grow into a child who can experience the world fully. With your help, the burdens of expensive hospital trips, rehabilitation, specialist care, and eye prostheses become manageable, and my family can focus on what matters most—my health and happiness.
This journey is far from over, but I continue to face it with bravery and determination. I fight for my right eye, for my ability to see the world, and for every moment of life I have yet to experience. Each treatment I undergo, each appointment I attend, and each bit of progress I make is a victory, a testament to resilience, and a symbol of the hope that surrounds me.
Lilianna’s story is one of courage, hope, and the power of love. Despite immense challenges, she shows us all that even the smallest among us can possess extraordinary strength. Every contribution, every act of kindness, and every word of encouragement supports her fight, bringing light into her young life and allowing her parents to continue the tireless work of nurturing her recovery.
Lilianna’s battle is ongoing, but with compassion, support, and care, her journey continues toward a future filled with hope, healing, and the chance to see the beauty of the world with her remaining eye. Every donation is not just help—it is a gift of life, sight, and opportunity.
