My name is Stepan Kozariichuk and my wife is Alina. We are a young Ukrainian family living in Penrith, Cumbria, raising our long-awaited rainbow baby — our beautiful 9-month-old son Bohdan.

In one single day in February 2026 our world was shattered forever.

That morning doctors diagnosed Bohdan with bilateral retinoblastoma — a rare and aggressive eye cancer. His right eye is already at the most advanced stage (Group E) and his left eye is severely affected (Group D).

Only hours later, while we were still in shock, we received devastating news: our family home abroad was completely destroyed. In one day we lost everything we had built — and learned our baby is fighting for his sight.

Since then Bohdan has been our little hero. Despite chemotherapy and endless hospital visits, he still smiles, plays with his drum, watches cartoons and reaches for toys. His strength gives us strength.

He is receiving the JOE chemotherapy protocol in Newcastle, while specialist scans and checks are at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Every 2–3 weeks we drive 4–5 hours each way — in the past month alone we have travelled over 2,000 miles.

These journeys, petrol, parking, food and occasional overnight stays are costs we can no longer cover. Alina is on maternity leave caring for Bohdan 24/7. I work in a factory but miss more and more shifts because of appointments.

We are deeply grateful to the NHS for the main treatment, but we desperately need help with:

• Long-distance travel and accommodation

• Nutrition and supplements during chemotherapy

• Possible advanced treatment to save both eyes

• Vision aids and future rehabilitation

Our only dream is simple: to give Bohdan the chance to see our faces, to see the world, to grow up playing and living a full life.

After everything we went through to have him, we are now fighting to save his sight. We never thought we would ask for help, but today we are doing it for our rainbow baby.

Every donation, no matter how small, brings him closer to that future.

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you.

Stepan & Alina Kozariichuk

Parents of Bohdan ❤️