Hello!! My name is Dawn and I’m fundraising for my daughter of choice and her fiancé.

When I say my daughter of choice, what I mean is Olla is not a blood relation but she is just as much our child as our own children. Olla blessed our lives in 2001 when we sponsored her through the Children of Chernobyl Association. She was this frail little 7 year old that travelled all the way from Belarus to our home in Hinton. She spent the Summer with us and she managed to wiggle her way into ours and our family’s hearts. She spent two more Summers with us when she was 13 and 15. We have been in close contact with her for the last 24 years.

Olla and her fiancé, Victor, fled Belarus in 2023 to escape the communist tyranny and became residents of Poland. They promptly started to upgrade their university medical degrees in order to practice medicine in Poland. After a year of upgrading, they started their internships. Olla’s was put on hold because she was about to become a Mother.

After finding out that their daughter would not automatically become a Polish citizen and they wouldn’t be able to go back to Belarus without being arrested, they applied for their Visa’s in Canada. They were successful and so Olla travelled to Toronto by herself to have their daughter. Victor stayed back in Poland to make the extra money to cover the expenses of the birth and living expenses for both Olla and their baby.

Nicol was born in Canada on October 8th. Unfortunately at 1 day old, she was rushed to the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital due to a massive amount of blood in her diaper. She spent 5 days on IV fluids and antibiotics to clear up this strange illness. Even the doctors were perplexed as to what caused the gastrointestinal bleeding. Nicol had outstanding medical treatment at the Sick Kids Hospital but it didn’t come without a hefty bill, over $61,000!! Of course, Olla and Victor were prepared for the hospital bill for the birth and living expenses but never anticipated the medical emergency and the bill associated with that. Fortunately for Olla and Victor, the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital set up a payment plan of $500 per month but at that rate, it will take over 10 years to pay off the debt.

My husband and I are trying to help the best we can. I am asking if you can help with a small monetary donation. If you can’t, I understand but I ask if you can share this on your social media. All money received will go directly to the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital via e-transfer.

Thank you!