The video about Matvej is a courtesy of ONT TV channel (Belarus). The author is Tatiana Zhakhovskaya.
Parents' Letter (June 15, 2012)
We are asking you to help us pay for the treatment and rehabilitation of our son Matvej Delendik, born in 2010.
In May 2012 after long and thorough examinations by lots of specialists the child was diagnosed with a skull-base tumour. Matvej is in critical but stable condition. He is now in the Borovlyany Children's Oncology, Hematology and Immunology Center. The only way to help the child is surgical transnasal and transoral tumour removal. In Belarus such operations are not performed: there are no adequate trainig, qualified specialists and equipment.
The specialists at Burdenko Neurosurgery Research Institute (Moscow) tried to help Matvej. During the surgery performed there the diagnosis was made and a biopsy was taken. Matvej was diagnosed with a very rare tumour — chordoma. The doctors in our country never met a child suffering from such a tumour. Unfortunately, Matvej can't be operated on at Burdenko Neurosurgery Research Institute due to the lack of expertise in performing such surgeries in young children.
But Matvej's diagnosis is not a sentence. Several European clinics are ready to admit our son for the surgery. Professor Meyer at the Neurosurgical Clinic of the Munich Technical University agreed to operate on our child. There the doctors have experience in removing such tumours in children and postsurgery rehabilitation. After the chordoma removal Matvej is recommended to undergo a course of protone therapy in Gernay or Switzerland.
Our son's treatment is going to be long and expensive. The necessity for several surgeries might arise. When it comes to young children, protone therapy duration is quite long. Unfortunately, our family do not have the amount necessary for our child's treatment. The sum we have raised on our own is not enough to pay for the surgery and further rehabilitation.
We are sincerely asking you to help us pay for Matvej's treatment and give him a chance for recovery. Your help will become a chance for our family to overcome our son's disease. The Chance Foundation has already helped many children. We hope that you will help our son as well.
Valentina and Sergei Delendik
15.10.2012
11.09.2012
10.09.2012
07.09.2012
Unfortunately, the disease of Matvej turned out to be much more complex than previously thought. According to the latest opinion of German morphologists, tumor is more aggressive and resistant than chordoma. German specialists at the clinic are not able to offer any further treatment. Therefore, Matvej is coming home tomorrow.
The boy's parents have decided to continue searching for clinics in other countries.
In connection with the emerging new circumstances Foundation "Chance" has decided to suspend the collection of funds until the situation with further treatment of Matvej is clarified.
03.09.2012
31.08.2012
" While there is no plan for further treatment right now assisant of Dr. Mayer said that they consult with professors from Boston, Harvard, Zurich to make the best decision possible. This is difficult to do due to the rarity of the case. We were assured that everything would be done primarily in the interests of the child Regards, Valentina "
31.08.2012
28.08.2012
22.08.2012
22.08.2012
20.08.2012
19.08.2012
17.08.2012
On Sunday a father of Matvej, accompanied by a doctor and paramedic resuscitation will go to the clinic.
16.08.2012
According to the prior arrangement with the clinic our foundation will pay for the surgery to Matvej upon the completion of treatment, and the remaining amount collected by the foundation will be transferred to the clinic to cover the costs for the proton therapy.
Matvej still feels very weak.
13.08.2012