Help Hrystyna Get the Heart Surgery She Needs

Hi everyone, my name is Yuliia Skorodolnykova and I’m a college student here in the U.S. I’m reaching out to you today with an urgent request to help my 14-year-old cousin, Hrystyna Barabash, who is in Ukraine. Hrystyna is a sweet, empathetic, and mature girl who has always put others before herself. She cares deeply about the people around her and often takes their worries to heart—literally.

Hrystyna was born with a hole in her heart, but it wasn’t discovered until recently. For years, she experienced chest pain, but doctors initially dismissed it as part of growing up. However, the pain persisted, and after visiting a larger hospital with more advanced equipment, doctors discovered the hole is much larger than initially thought—17 millimeters. Now, Hrystyna urgently needs surgery to close the hole and save her life.

Her family, who lives in a small Ukrainian village of Fytkiv, Nadvirna district, Ivano-Frankivsk region, is doing everything they can to raise the money for this surgery. Unfortunately, with the ongoing war and the economic crisis in Ukraine, times are incredibly difficult. Her mother, Vitaliia Barabash, who recently broke her arm, is unable to work, and her father, Taras Barabash is doing all he can to support the family. Even their local church has stepped in to collect donations from their community.

The surgery is expected to cost at least $3,000, which is a huge amount for a family in Ukraine, especially in their current situation. The exact cost isn’t clear yet, it might vary based on the final method chosen by doctors, also is a line for the surgery, so we have to wait to know the exact cost, but it is starting with 100000 hryvnia, which is $3000. The surgery will be happening in The Saint Nicholas Hospital in Lviv. I am hoping to raise this amount here, in the U.S., to help ease their burden. Funds raised here will be withdrawn to my personal bank account in the U.S. and then through PayPal sent directly to my aunt Vitaliia Barabash in Ukraine to pay for Hrystyna’s surgery, or at least to ease the financial burden. Every dollar is helpful because when transferring currency to Ukrainian it’s a significant amount. I will provide updates on the transfer process for full transparency.

Hrystyna is currently attending school online because her condition makes it too risky to go in person. Despite her challenges, she remains a bright, kind, and thoughtful child who dreams of living a normal, healthy life. Your support can help her get there.

I know times are tough for many of us, but even the smallest donation can make a difference. If you can, please consider donating to help Hrystyna get the life-saving surgery she desperately needs. Every dollar gets us closer to our goal, and if you’re unable to contribute financially, sharing her story would mean the world to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any help you can offer. Together, we can give Hrystyna a chance at a healthier, brighter future.