8-year-old Aggelos is a real fighter, since when he was just 2.5 years old, he was diagnosed with stage 3 Ependymoma, a rare form of brain cancer. For the past 5 years, he has been fighting against all odds in order to recover. It’s really harsh for a child to be experiencing this ordeal at such a tender age. The little boy had been subjected to numerous chemotherapy and radiation therapy rounds, as well as two surgical operations in a public hospital that had failed to remove the tumor. After our intervention, the little boy underwent a third surgery at a private clinic that was performed by a specialized neurosurgeon, who managed to remove the entire tumor. This last surgery had given a ray of hope to his family, since before that, the doctors weren’t that optimistic about his condition.

Just as the little boy was about to begin with his radiation therapy that the doctors had recommended as a precaution, his MRI revealed tumors in 3 different areas of the brain that were growing independently. The little boy couldn’t be subjected to another surgery, since he was still recovering from the previous one; therefore the radiation therapy was a one-way street. We immediately contacted a radiation therapy center in Athens and soon after the little boy was admitted in order to be subjected to a new round of radiations that would target his new brain tumors. The days that followed were extremely hard for the little boy. Sleepless nights full of painkillers and cortisone.

After the therapy was completed, the family was hoping to hear some good news. However, the test results were quite discouraging. Even though the 3 tumors were eliminated, the MRI revealed that the cancer has spread to his cervix and spine; therefore the boy was once again subjected to a new round of radiations targeted on his spine. The last months have been very hard for the little boy. His condition has worn him out, both physically and emotionally. The pain in his bones is unbearable. He even had to be hospitalized for some time, where he was injected with intravenous painkillers. A few days ago the radiation therapy round was finally completed and we anxiously wait for the MRI results that will take place on 25.5.22. Let us all pray that this aggressive cancer will stop spreading and that he will soon recover and leave all of this behind him.

Currently, the little boy is unable to walk or stand on his own. For the past 5 months, he is being subjected to an intensive home-based physiotherapy program, in order to regain his motor skills. We, on our hand, have managed to settle the cost for his physiotherapy sessions, while we do our best to help the family with their daily expenses, but most importantly to offer our moral support to the parents, who have never left their son’s side.

Thanks to all of your help, so far we have managed to raise the sum of 17,300 euros that we have used in order to pay for his physiotherapy sessions, two rounds of radiation therapy and further tests. Your contribution was immensely valuable for this little boy’s condition, since none of these treatments would be feasible without your help. We will stand by his side for as long as needed, hoping to soon hear some good news!

Hold on tight, young fighter! Your smile is the most important life lesson!