Support Alex's Journey to Recovery

My name is Elena and I have set up this account for my friends Sayora and Anvar Shamsutdinov to support their family in this hard time they are going thru.

On August 20, 2024, Sayora’s twin sons Alex (16) and Alan (16) were driving home after their first day of school when they were involved in a car accident. Alan suffered minor injuries, but Alex was diagnosed with a fractured lower spine and a brain tumor not related to the car accident.

Doctors in Springfield were unable to operate on Alex’s brain because his condition required a specialist. He was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where further testing revealed that the tumor, approximately the size of a lemon, had likely been growing for years. Although Alex had not experienced any symptoms, the accident led to its discovery—an unexpected blessing that saved his life.

On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Alex underwent surgery at St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee. The tumor was in a very dangerous area of the brain, and the surgeon said it would be difficult to get all of it out. While the procedure was successful and he was able to remove the whole tumor, it did affect his speech, and the right side of his body got paralyzed. Shortly after surgery, Alex suffered a seizure and a stroke, further complicating his recovery. He now requires extensive cognitive and physical therapy to regain his abilities and get his speech back, but he remains strong and determined on his journey toward healing.

His recovery will be a long and difficult process, requiring ongoing medical care and therapy. The parents will stay with Alex in Memphis for about 1 month until they are ready to go home. His mother must stay by his side and care for him throughout this journey and therapy when they are back at home. Additionally, the family has to travel from Springfield, Missouri to St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee every month for check-ups and undergo an MRI every three months to monitor his condition. The time for Alex’s complete recovery can take up to 2 years, per the doctor's prognosis.

However, the family is now facing significant financial hardship. The costs associated with Alex’s ongoing care, travel to and from Memphis, and additionally, missed work due to hospital stays and caregiving responsibilities have made it even more difficult to stay financially stable. Any support—whether through donations, prayers, or sharing his story—would mean the world to the family as they navigate this challenging time. All funds will go directly to Shamsutdinov family!

Thank you and God bless!