Support that changes lives: Yulia’s story from Kramatorsk

Yulia had always been someone who supported others. In Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, she worked as a teacher, helping children understand the world and find their place in it. But in December 2023, her own world began to crumble. Two pieces of news that arrived almost simultaneously changed her life forever: she was pregnant, and she was diagnosed with cancer.

When Yulia learned about her pregnancy, her heart filled with joy. It was a long-awaited event that she had dreamed of for many years. But just a few days later, she was told that she had cancer. It felt as if life was playing a cruel joke on her.

“I stood in front of the mirror, looking at myself. How could everything change so quickly? One moment, you’re a happy expectant mother, and the next, you’re a patient in an oncology ward. It was terrifying. I didn’t know what to do or where to turn,” Yulia recalls, reflecting on that moment.

Treatment was urgent, and time was against her. But every time she thought about her unborn child, she found the strength to fight. However, the cost of treatment, particularly the expensive medications, was beyond her family’s means. One ampoule of medicine cost 80,000 hryvnias—a sum they could not raise on their own.

Yulia shares, “When we realized we couldn’t manage on our own, we had to ask people for help. It was difficult—asking for money—but when it’s about your child’s life and your own, pride takes a back seat.” Friends and acquaintances were the first to respond. People donated whatever they could, and each contribution was like a ray of hope in the darkness. Yulia and her husband searched for help everywhere, and fate led them to the NGO “Responsible Citizens,” which, in partnership with World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response, was implementing a large-scale project. With support from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Acted Ukraine, and the #UkraineResponseConsortium, they managed to register for financial assistance. The funds arrived quickly, allowing Yulia to begin treatment in time. “It was a miracle. Every time we received help, I felt that an invisible hand was supporting us. It wasn’t just financial support; it was real support for life,” Yulia says, expressing her gratitude to everyone who didn’t leave her in her time of need.

The treatment was challenging and exhausting. The situation was further complicated by news from her hometown in Donetsk. Yulia’s family and loved ones were forced to evacuate hastily, as constant shelling and the humanitarian crisis made it impossible to stay. Yulia held on, fueled by the light in her life—the child she was soon to bring into the world. This gave her the strength to keep fighting. The disease did not relent, but the medication slowed it down. A few months later, Yulia gave birth to a healthy baby. It was a happiness that words can barely describe. “When I first held my baby in my arms, I knew that all the pain had been worth it. Life had given us a second chance,” Yulia says with a smile.

The battle against cancer continues, but Yulia knows she is no longer alone. Her story is a reminder of the strength of the human spirit, of how important it is to believe and fight even when everything seems lost. And most importantly, it shows how much difference simple human support can make. “We must remember: no one should be left alone in their troubles. Helping others can save lives, just as it saved mine,” Yulia adds.