Alisa Batchenko – our new beneficiary. She lives in Volgograd. Alisa is fighting against spina bifida and she desperately needs our support.

With this condition, part of the spinal nerves remains unprotected. The body “covers” this fragment with a tumor — a lipoma. But instead of protection, the lipoma presses on the nerves and prevents proper physical development.

Because of the lipoma, Alisa has to use a catheter — her bladder function is impaired. And soon, if we don’t act in time, she may completely lose the ability to walk.

The first surgery: the beginning of the fight

At just 1 year and 4 months old, doctors performed her first spinal surgery and removed the tumor.

Her mother recalls: “I was shocked — my little Alisa was already smiling on the third day after such a difficult surgery!”

Alisa kept that smile as she grew up, even though the surgeries didn’t end — the lipoma came back.

New attempts

2020 — five years after the first surgery. Alisa was growing, and it seemed that all the hardships were behind her. Suddenly, her parents noticed changes: her gait became unstable, and her feet started to deform rapidly.

Of course, they first tried orthopedic shoes. But the problem was much more serious. Another surgery in Volgograd was needed.

Alisa bravely endured it all: several weeks in the hospital, two months in casts, a year of rehabilitation. Sadly, all efforts were in vain.

2024 — another attempt to remove the lipoma. The family believed this would be the last surgery and held on to hope. But doctors managed only to take a biopsy.

Her mother still found light in this news: “Thank God, the biopsy confirmed it was a lipoma. No malignant signs…”

The situation today

Now Alisa is once again in danger. The lipoma is growing, compressing the spinal nerves, and she is losing sensation in her legs. If we lose time, she will end up in a wheelchair.

A new hope

You have already heard of the Assuta Clinic and its “magician” — Professor Shimon Rochkind. He has helped many of our children and he can definitely help Alisa. We only need to raise the funds for her treatment.

In this story, there are four players: Alisa’s strength, the doctors’ professionalism, us together — and time, the strongest opponent.

We cannot completely defeat Alisa’s illness, but timely treatment can stop its progression. If we act quickly, she will continue to walk on her own.

Please click the “Help” button and make any possible donation for Alisa!