For most parents, the idea of a child in the hospital is terrifying. For Karolina and Damian Bulanda, the nightmare became reality when their twenty-month-old son, Filipek, was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor. The doctors’ words were chilling: surgery could only prolong his life, not save it. Yet, giving up was never an option. They began a desperate search for the best neurosurgeons in Europe, clinging to the hope that someone, somewhere, could save their son…
Filipek had always been a bright, active child. Although he couldn’t yet speak, he communicated effortlessly with gestures, laughter, and the spark in his eyes. Karolina called him “the little Manager”—always on the move, singing, dancing, and commanding attention wherever he went. But in mid-January, subtle signs began to appear. Filipek became unusually fussy and unsettled, refusing his favorite songs and comfort objects. He started rubbing his head and even vomited. Days later, his energy waned. The cheerful boy who had played endlessly with his parents and siblings now refused to get out of bed or eat. Concerned, Karolina called the pediatrician, fearing a repeat of the tragedy they had faced when Filipek’s nine-month-old brother had succumbed to meningitis.
At the hospital, initial IV therapy brought him some strength, but the signs of something far more serious persisted. His legs trembled, balance faltered, and simple movements became impossible. The pediatrician recommended a CT scan, and the results shook the family to their core. Filipek had a tumor in his head—over eight centimeters in size, roughly the size of an adult fist. The gravity of the situation hit them like a storm: their bright, joyous boy now faced a life-threatening condition that could claim him at any moment.
Transferred to Warsaw for urgent treatment, Filipek underwent a five-hour surgery to implant a shunt to relieve pressure caused by the tumor. Surgeons managed to remove only a portion of the mass, explaining that complete removal was too risky. The parents were left in agony, waiting in the operating room, listening to updates that alternated between hope and despair. When they finally saw their son in the ICU, hooked up to countless machines, bandages soaked, and his tiny body restrained to prevent injury, the sight nearly broke their hearts. Yet Filipek, with extraordinary resilience, gave them a small wave, reminding them that he was still fighting.
The relief was temporary. Histopathology confirmed their worst fears: anaplastic ependymoma, a highly malignant tumor. The doctors warned that if Filipek reached his fifth birthday, it would already be a miracle. Words like these shattered the family’s world. Yet, even in the face of such hopelessness, they refused to surrender. Chemotherapy began immediately, but the tumor’s aggressive nature meant that conventional therapy alone could not save him. Specialized treatment abroad became the only lifeline.
With the support of friends, family, and strangers touched by Filipek’s story, his parents managed to secure a consultation with Professor Jonathan Finlay in Columbus, USA. The treatment plan was staggering: two neurosurgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and three bone marrow transplants, at an estimated cost of over 5.6 million złoty. Against all odds, the money was raised in record time, and Filipek embarked on a journey to the United States, carrying with him the hopes and prayers of hundreds who refused to stand by silently.
After months of grueling therapy, including intensive chemotherapy and hospital stays, Filipek began to recover. He endured countless medications, invasive procedures, and the physical and emotional toll of his disease with incredible bravery. Yet the battle was far from over. The doctors recommended proton therapy at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, a cutting-edge treatment that could slow the tumor’s progression and give him a fighting chance. Thanks to continued support, over 800,000 złoty was raised to fund this therapy, giving Filipek hope where there had once been only despair.
Finally, in January 2021, after months of hospital stays, procedures, and relentless treatment, Filipek returned to Poland with his parents. Their little warrior was home, greeted with tears and relief by loved ones who had feared they might never see him again. Though the road ahead remains uncertain, Filipek’s journey has already shown the power of courage, hope, and the extraordinary strength of a family unwilling to give up.
Filipek’s story is a testament to resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. It is also a call for continued support—for children like him whose fight for life cannot be undertaken alone. Every donation, every prayer, and every act of kindness is a lifeline, a chance to ensure that this tiny boy, who has already endured so much, can continue to dream, play, and live. Filipek Bulanda is more than a patient; he is a symbol of courage, hope, and the enduring power of human compassion.