Hi, I am Viktoriia, and my grandpa Viktor is a legend.

He’s the guy who:

Taught me chess by convincing me that every pawn is a queen in disguise.

Cleans up the river when we go fishing, picking up plastic bottles along the river bank. He uses them to build sheds.

Has a line of nails he pulled out of his tires from his career as a bus driver. His personal collection of battle scars from the road.

Would ask me after his recent surgery "Yo, do you want to see my scar?" having his hands ready to pull his sweater up.

My grandpa is my father figure. He showed me all that is right and is wrong. Even with my rebellious nature, his words kept me from slippery slopes. It took me until my 30s to realize he changed himself to be a better example for me. As I grew up, he became softer, more patient, reflective, deliberate (taking 30 minutes for one chess move). I remember when he would nervously or thoughtfully nibble on peanuts throughout the day. That was when he decided to quit smoking after 35 years. Because of him, I know I can learn or unlearn things, it just might taste like raw peanuts.

It was my grandpa's sacrifice, working double shifts, that allowed me and my brother to have everything we needed and could focus on getting our Bachelor’s.

I’m grateful for his example of resilience, creativity, and belief in making the world a better place. Between his inventive genius and our epic chess battles, (the current record is 5–3 in his favor) he’s out‑stubborned life’s challenges at every turn (when it comes to chess, I don’t go easy on him!).

But right now, he’s facing the toughest opponent yet: cancer.

The treatment he needs—16 doses of Keytruda(pembrolizumab) immunotherapy—each dose costs $2000 USD. Our family savings have been depleted keeping up with the costs and we are in great need of assistance to cover the remaining treatments and my family’s essentials.

Our goal: To raise $25,000 USD to pay for my grandpa's remaining treatments and replenish my family’s emergency savings as their ability to maintain a reliable income has been greatly affected by the war.

Every donation will help to improve Viktors quality of life and stabilize my family in the face of great uncertainty. Beyond that, it’s about giving back to the man who built so many joyful memories and continues to do his part to make the world a better place.

With your help, my grandpa will beat cancer—and I will beat him again in chess!

How You Can Help

1. Donate whatever you can - every dollar is another move towards Viktor’s checkmate on cancer. Even unfinished treatments (8+ doses) are shown to be effective increasing chances of remission.

2. Share this page with friends, family, or any chess lovers you know.

3. Follow our journey: I’ll post weekly updates on Vitkor and his triumph over cancer.