Medical Aid for Romik & Sako Arshakyan
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Dear Reader,
My name is Dianna Mkryan. My father Tigran & I perform humanitarian aid work for our country and its people in Armenia. We are known as the father/daughter duo who helped over 100 wounded/martyred soldiers' families in the Abaran region after the Artsakh war in 2020. What many people do not know is that my dad is a church kavor for Tegher Vank & we also help families that are compromised with their living conditions and that have children that are ill/need medical help. Through the philanthropy that we do for the churches and the priests in Armenia, we came across the amazing Arshakyan family. We met this beautiful family back in 2021 and have helped them in any way we have been able to thus far - every visit, we take toys, funding for medication, and of course, a whole lot of love!
Samvel & Arpine Arshakyan are young parents in their early 30s to two amazing young boys - Romik, who is 13 years old, and Sarkis who is 10 years old. Unfortunately, these children have been suffering medical illnesses for a great amount of their lives - they have been robbed from a normal childhood and the hospital walls have become their home. A few days ago, Arpine reached out to me begging for my help, as expenses for the kids were getting too costly. She also sounded very sick herself, but didn't have enough money to get herself any medication, and honestly, it didn't seem like she even cared for what was going on with her as much as she wanted to help her kids as a mother. Arpine and her family, go to church and pray every single morning and live in Jesus' name. They are a very beautiful Christian family who dedicate all of their time to helping their local neighborhood church and priest. As much as I help this family, I know the power of all of us together will definitely surpass the little amount I'm able to do each time. Below, I am going to list the children's illnesses, how long they have been diagnosed, what it takes to keep them healthy/medication they need, and what the costs/income of the family is.
▶️ Father's Salary: 141,000 AMD/mo. = $314.04 USD/mo.
▶️ Both children's pensions: 52,000AMD/mo. = $115.82USD/mo.
▶️ Family Income Total: 193,000AMD/mo. = $429.85USD/mo.
• Romik Arshakyan - 13 yrs. old:
—In December 2018, Romik suffered compressed spinal bones L3, L5, L10, L11, L12, L13 from a sickness that could not be determined
—In April 2019, while they went in for a blood checkup, the doctors discovered that Romik has lymphoblastic Leukemia and that is why his bones had been deteriorating; they immediately started treating him with radiation and chemotherapy. His courses started on April 5, 2019 (9 courses), then he went into remission and up until today, he drinks his medication and goes to his regular doctor visits to make sure his leukemia stays in remission.
—Until today, Romik suffers with the side effects of his radiation/chemotherapy - the result has been weaker bones that need constant checkups to make sure they don't continuously deteriorate, he needs to constantly wear a back brace to keep his spine aligned, he has countless medications/injections he needs to take every month to make sure he stays healthy, and he suffers with childhood depression and anxiety due to everything he has gone through at such a young age. His spine does not allow him to sit in any position for more than a few hours, therefore he cannot stay in school the entire day, stay at events for a long time, or have lengthy car rides. Due to the fact that his parents could not afford his orthopedic shoes for this year, he now also has crooked toes because his bones have shifted due to his lack of movement from his spine issues.
— COSTS/MEDICAL EXPENSES:
○ Spinal Cord check ups to make sure bones are dense enough to not break: 15,000AMD/mo = $33.41USD/mo.
○ Fluconazole+Co-trimoxazole+Vitamin D Supplement + Calcium Supplement: 30,000AMD/mo. = $66.82USD/mo.
○ Bone-Viva Monthly Medication: 20,000AMD/mo. = $44.54USD/mo.
○ Back Brace/Corset: 20,000AMD every 3 months = $44.59USD every 3 months; total: $178.36/yr
○ Orthopedic Shoes needed to keep feet bones intact each year; 37,000AMD sneakers + 28,000AMD sandals (couldn't afford boots for winter): 65,000AMD = $144.77USD/yr
• Sarkis Arhsakyan - 10 yrs old:
—In 2015, when Sarkis was just 3 years old, doctors discovered that he has impaired hearing, which is the reason he had not been able to develop basic speaking skills.
—From 3 years old, Sarkis has had to wear assistive hearing devices and his speech is now severely impaired/stuttered due to the fact that he started talking at a later age than most children would, since he was not able to hear properly.
—Due to his inability to speak properly, his jaw has been put out of place because of his teeth placement/grinding and he needs reconstructive braces/headpieces, along with a minimum of 1 year of speech therapy together to be able to correct his speech. He constantly gets bullied for being "լալ" (not being able to speak/dragging words/stuttering) by other kids and is usually left with no friends around.
—He also suffers from childhood depression/anxiety due to his struggles as a toddler.
— COSTS/MEDICAL EXPENSES:
○ Reconstructive braces/Headpieces: 500,000AMD = $1,113.61USD
○ 1YR Min. Speech Therapy 2x/week: 14,000AMD/wk = $31.18USD/wk (52 weeks = 728,000AMD / $1,621.41 USD total year)
○ Hearing Aid Batteries (can't afford expensive ones, must buy cheap batteries every 2 weeks): 14,000AMD x 2/mo = $62.42/mo USD (26 weeks = 364,000AMD = $811.46 USD total year)
• Not to mention, there are costs of transportation to hospitals/doctors, groceries for kids, clothes, personal expenses, gas bills, etc. all to still pay for. Not only does their father not make enough income to be able to support for their medical needs, but he is also unable to cover basic expenses for his family as well. The government in Armenia does not do anything to help these children, as we are a third world country and poverty is through the roof for our people; the government actually does the opposite- knowing that there are two sick children in this household, they shut off gas for the family if they don't pay the bill on time, leaving them with no hot water, etc. The only good that has come from the government has been free chemotherapy through fundraising, the mayor of Aparan helping pay for a few months worth of spine medication for Romik, and the neighborhood priest, Ter Musheh, paying for their gas bill a few times out of his own pocket. There is transportation costs as well, such as taking a taxi from Aparan to Erebuni/Yerevan - both of which are over 1 HOUR drives and over 80 miles there and back - this is a TWICE/week trip that the family takes to the doctors, which costs 8000AMD = $17.83USD each time, which equals to $35.66USD/week, totaling to $ 142.64USD/mo.
❗SUMMARY OF COSTS❗
▶️MONTHLY COSTS FOR ROMIK:
-Medication + Vitamins: 50,000AMD = $111.46USD
-Spinal Cord Checkup: 15,000AMD = $33.41USD
-Corset/Shoe Cost Split into breakdown of cost/mo = 35,000AMD = $78.03USD
TOTAL COST PER MONTH FOR ROMIK: 100,000AMD = $222.93 - EXCLUDING TRANSPORT
▶️MONTHLY COSTS FOR SARKIS:
-Speech therapy 2x/wk each month: 56,000AMD = $124.84USD
-Hearing Aid Batteries: 28,000AMD/mo = $62.42/mo USD
-URGENT NEED FOR BRACES/RECONSTRUCTIVE HEADPIECE TO FIX JAW: 500,000AMD = $1,113.61USD
TOTAL COST PER MONTH FOR SARKIS: 84,000AMD = 187.26USD (NOT INCLUDING JAW COST) - EXCLUDING TRANSPORT
❗THIS FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE A HOME- THEY ARE A FAMILY OF 4 WHO LIVE IN THEIR RELATIVES' APARTMENT WHICH IS ONLY 345 SQ FT. - THEIR ROOMS/LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN/ETC. IS ALL IN ONE PLACE
❗TOGETHER THESE KIDS HAVE TOTAL MEDICAL EXPENSES OF 184,000AMD/mo = $410.19USD/mo. - WITH TRANSPORT, the total adds up to 64,000AMD more = $142.67USD/mo., ultimately making the monthly medical costs 248,000AMD = $552.86USD/mo.
❗THEIR FATHER'S SALARY IS ONLY 141,000AMD = $314.04USD/mo.
❗THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE TRANSPORT/GROCERIES/SCHOOL SUPPLIES/GAS BILLS/PERSONAL EXPENSES
❗MONTHLY GAS/WATER/LIGHT IS: 30,000AMD = $66.88USD/mo.
▶️COMPLETE TOTAL EXPENSES FOR FAMILY, NOT INCLUDING GROCERY/PERSONAL EXPENSES: 278,000AMD = $619.74USD/mo.
▶️TOTAL INCOME FAMILY RECEIVES MONTHLY: 193,000AMD/mo. = $429.85USD/mo. - short from bare minimum of medical expenses
❗PHOTOS FOR YOU ALL TO SEE AS PROOF❗
-ROMIK:
-SARKIS:
-THEIR HOME OF 345 SQ FT:
▶️MY STORY WITH ARSHAKYAN FAMILY:
My father and I help many families in Armenia and we walk in/out of many homes. When I walked into the Arshakyan family home, I immediately knew they would have a different place in my heart. Arpine has become my sister and she has NEVER asked for a single penny from us, we have always willingly given whatever was necessary to help - she would never even tell us the cost of what she needed, so that we wouldn't give her anything - of course, until I made this GoFund Me page to ask all of you for help. If we insisted, she would say "Just give as much as you feel like giving." Most of the time when she'd call to tell me something, it would be more to vent and have a shoulder to cry on rather than ask for money. Her sons, Romik & Sarkis, are like my little brothers - I care for them just as much as I do for my own brother. I call them and speak to them all the time and every time I am in Armenia, their house is one of the first places I go to. I make sure to remember their birthdays and have gifts/midnight cake surprises done for them, toys, and anything else they may want as children. I try to give them as much of the childhood that they'd been robbed of back to them; and I'd be lying if I said they don't reciprocate the love and appreciation that they do. They remember all events in my life, they make me gifts from scratch when they know I am going to visit Armenia, and they call me to tell me they miss me. I love this family with my whole heart and nothing makes me happier than seeing them smile. We are so blessed to have everything we do and we always tend to take the smallest things in life for granted. While you have a roof over your head, ears to hear with, an intact spine that helps you walk, gas to heat up your showers + food, insurance to cover medical expenses, etc. - these people are robbed of basic life function/necessities. I remember one time I went to visit and Romik had given up on drinking his medication, saying there is no point and he is going to never be cured anyway- then, he lost the bible necklace he always went to bed with and said that he is going to die because he never went a day without it. He prayed and prayed and prayed until he finally found it one day and was able to come out of his anxiety; but when he saw me, he told me i gave him hope and positivity to keep pushing because i told him I believed in him. So, even though this family have every reason to despise the life they live, they go to church and thank God because it can ALWAYS BE WORSE, as Arpine tells me. She tells me how thankful she is that they are at least alive and how thankful she is to God for their blessings. Arpnine always tells me that my family has been sent to her by God as a blessing for all the good they have in their hearts, and I firmly believe that that is exactly what one of my purposes here on Earth is to do. I love this family and I cannot wait to show/give them all of the proceeds you guys will help me raise. My biggest goal is to one day get this family a PERMANENT HOME they can live in rather than be squeezed in a 345 sq ft room with a whole family. A humongous thank you in advance to you all- let's get these kids CURED for good! ❤️️
A message that their mother, Arpine, wanted me to share with all of you:
"My name is Arpine Arshakyan and I have 2 young boys that have medical illnesses. I am not able to provide for them and have no help from the side- I have went to parliament and begged at the knees of every politician to help my kids and no one has done a single thing. I am sick myself and have over 100,000AMD prescribed blood-work that I need to get done, but cannot afford. I do not care for myself, as much as I do for my children. It is very crucial that I get my son Sarkis his braces to treat his speech and I am begging if anyone can please help, it would mean the entire world to us to be able to finally cover the costs for my children's medication. The government has cut off our gas and water supply and we are barely getting by. I cannot keep watching my babies suffer as a mother, knowing there isn't anything I can do to take their pain away. It breaks my heart to watch my Romik have crooked toes because I can't afford orthopedic shoes, so he has to be in pain all the time or that my son Sarkis' hearing aid runs out of battery by the time he gets home from school, because I cannot afford the expensive long-lasting ones; or how about when they don't have hot water to even take a basic shower. These are just SOME of the very few examples I have. If anyone can please spare any scraps of anything they may have, even just as little as 100AMD, it can be life-changing when it adds up. I thank God for this opportunity and the Mkryan family for all their help. May God bless them and everyone who puts their time and effort into helping us."
Dear Reader,
My name is Dianna Mkryan. My father Tigran & I perform humanitarian aid work for our country and its people in Armenia. We are known as the father/daughter duo who helped over 100 wounded/martyred soldiers' families in the Abaran region after the Artsakh war in 2020. What many people do not know is that my dad is a church kavor for Tegher Vank & we also help families that are compromised with their living conditions and that have children that are ill/need medical help. Through the philanthropy that we do for the churches and the priests in Armenia, we came across the amazing Arshakyan family. We met this beautiful family back in 2021 and have helped them in any way we have been able to thus far - every visit, we take toys, funding for medication, and of course, a whole lot of love!
Samvel & Arpine Arshakyan are young parents in their early 30s to two amazing young boys - Romik, who is 13 years old, and Sarkis who is 10 years old. Unfortunately, these children have been suffering medical illnesses for a great amount of their lives - they have been robbed from a normal childhood and the hospital walls have become their home. A few days ago, Arpine reached out to me begging for my help, as expenses for the kids were getting too costly. She also sounded very sick herself, but didn't have enough money to get herself any medication, and honestly, it didn't seem like she even cared for what was going on with her as much as she wanted to help her kids as a mother. Arpine and her family, go to church and pray every single morning and live in Jesus' name. They are a very beautiful Christian family who dedicate all of their time to helping their local neighborhood church and priest. As much as I help this family, I know the power of all of us together will definitely surpass the little amount I'm able to do each time. Below, I am going to list the children's illnesses, how long they have been diagnosed, what it takes to keep them healthy/medication they need, and what the costs/income of the family is.
▶️ Father's Salary: 141,000 AMD/mo. = $314.04 USD/mo.
▶️ Both children's pensions: 52,000AMD/mo. = $115.82USD/mo.
▶️ Family Income Total: 193,000AMD/mo. = $429.85USD/mo.
• Romik Arshakyan - 13 yrs. old:
—In December 2018, Romik suffered compressed spinal bones L3, L5, L10, L11, L12, L13 from a sickness that could not be determined
—In April 2019, while they went in for a blood checkup, the doctors discovered that Romik has lymphoblastic Leukemia and that is why his bones had been deteriorating; they immediately started treating him with radiation and chemotherapy. His courses started on April 5, 2019 (9 courses), then he went into remission and up until today, he drinks his medication and goes to his regular doctor visits to make sure his leukemia stays in remission.
—Until today, Romik suffers with the side effects of his radiation/chemotherapy - the result has been weaker bones that need constant checkups to make sure they don't continuously deteriorate, he needs to constantly wear a back brace to keep his spine aligned, he has countless medications/injections he needs to take every month to make sure he stays healthy, and he suffers with childhood depression and anxiety due to everything he has gone through at such a young age. His spine does not allow him to sit in any position for more than a few hours, therefore he cannot stay in school the entire day, stay at events for a long time, or have lengthy car rides. Due to the fact that his parents could not afford his orthopedic shoes for this year, he now also has crooked toes because his bones have shifted due to his lack of movement from his spine issues.
— COSTS/MEDICAL EXPENSES:
○ Spinal Cord check ups to make sure bones are dense enough to not break: 15,000AMD/mo = $33.41USD/mo.
○ Fluconazole+Co-trimoxazole+Vitamin D Supplement + Calcium Supplement: 30,000AMD/mo. = $66.82USD/mo.
○ Bone-Viva Monthly Medication: 20,000AMD/mo. = $44.54USD/mo.
○ Back Brace/Corset: 20,000AMD every 3 months = $44.59USD every 3 months; total: $178.36/yr
○ Orthopedic Shoes needed to keep feet bones intact each year; 37,000AMD sneakers + 28,000AMD sandals (couldn't afford boots for winter): 65,000AMD = $144.77USD/yr
• Sarkis Arhsakyan - 10 yrs old:
—In 2015, when Sarkis was just 3 years old, doctors discovered that he has impaired hearing, which is the reason he had not been able to develop basic speaking skills.
—From 3 years old, Sarkis has had to wear assistive hearing devices and his speech is now severely impaired/stuttered due to the fact that he started talking at a later age than most children would, since he was not able to hear properly.
—Due to his inability to speak properly, his jaw has been put out of place because of his teeth placement/grinding and he needs reconstructive braces/headpieces, along with a minimum of 1 year of speech therapy together to be able to correct his speech. He constantly gets bullied for being "լալ" (not being able to speak/dragging words/stuttering) by other kids and is usually left with no friends around.
—He also suffers from childhood depression/anxiety due to his struggles as a toddler.
— COSTS/MEDICAL EXPENSES:
○ Reconstructive braces/Headpieces: 500,000AMD = $1,113.61USD
○ 1YR Min. Speech Therapy 2x/week: 14,000AMD/wk = $31.18USD/wk (52 weeks = 728,000AMD / $1,621.41 USD total year)
○ Hearing Aid Batteries (can't afford expensive ones, must buy cheap batteries every 2 weeks): 14,000AMD x 2/mo = $62.42/mo USD (26 weeks = 364,000AMD = $811.46 USD total year)
• Not to mention, there are costs of transportation to hospitals/doctors, groceries for kids, clothes, personal expenses, gas bills, etc. all to still pay for. Not only does their father not make enough income to be able to support for their medical needs, but he is also unable to cover basic expenses for his family as well. The government in Armenia does not do anything to help these children, as we are a third world country and poverty is through the roof for our people; the government actually does the opposite- knowing that there are two sick children in this household, they shut off gas for the family if they don't pay the bill on time, leaving them with no hot water, etc. The only good that has come from the government has been free chemotherapy through fundraising, the mayor of Aparan helping pay for a few months worth of spine medication for Romik, and the neighborhood priest, Ter Musheh, paying for their gas bill a few times out of his own pocket. There is transportation costs as well, such as taking a taxi from Aparan to Erebuni/Yerevan - both of which are over 1 HOUR drives and over 80 miles there and back - this is a TWICE/week trip that the family takes to the doctors, which costs 8000AMD = $17.83USD each time, which equals to $35.66USD/week, totaling to $ 142.64USD/mo.
❗SUMMARY OF COSTS❗
▶️MONTHLY COSTS FOR ROMIK:
-Medication + Vitamins: 50,000AMD = $111.46USD
-Spinal Cord Checkup: 15,000AMD = $33.41USD
-Corset/Shoe Cost Split into breakdown of cost/mo = 35,000AMD = $78.03USD
TOTAL COST PER MONTH FOR ROMIK: 100,000AMD = $222.93 - EXCLUDING TRANSPORT
▶️MONTHLY COSTS FOR SARKIS:
-Speech therapy 2x/wk each month: 56,000AMD = $124.84USD
-Hearing Aid Batteries: 28,000AMD/mo = $62.42/mo USD
-URGENT NEED FOR BRACES/RECONSTRUCTIVE HEADPIECE TO FIX JAW: 500,000AMD = $1,113.61USD
TOTAL COST PER MONTH FOR SARKIS: 84,000AMD = 187.26USD (NOT INCLUDING JAW COST) - EXCLUDING TRANSPORT
❗THIS FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE A HOME- THEY ARE A FAMILY OF 4 WHO LIVE IN THEIR RELATIVES' APARTMENT WHICH IS ONLY 345 SQ FT. - THEIR ROOMS/LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN/ETC. IS ALL IN ONE PLACE
❗TOGETHER THESE KIDS HAVE TOTAL MEDICAL EXPENSES OF 184,000AMD/mo = $410.19USD/mo. - WITH TRANSPORT, the total adds up to 64,000AMD more = $142.67USD/mo., ultimately making the monthly medical costs 248,000AMD = $552.86USD/mo.
❗THEIR FATHER'S SALARY IS ONLY 141,000AMD = $314.04USD/mo.
❗THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE TRANSPORT/GROCERIES/SCHOOL SUPPLIES/GAS BILLS/PERSONAL EXPENSES
❗MONTHLY GAS/WATER/LIGHT IS: 30,000AMD = $66.88USD/mo.
▶️COMPLETE TOTAL EXPENSES FOR FAMILY, NOT INCLUDING GROCERY/PERSONAL EXPENSES: 278,000AMD = $619.74USD/mo.
▶️TOTAL INCOME FAMILY RECEIVES MONTHLY: 193,000AMD/mo. = $429.85USD/mo. - short from bare minimum of medical expenses
❗PHOTOS FOR YOU ALL TO SEE AS PROOF❗
-ROMIK:
-SARKIS:
-THEIR HOME OF 345 SQ FT:
▶️MY STORY WITH ARSHAKYAN FAMILY:
My father and I help many families in Armenia and we walk in/out of many homes. When I walked into the Arshakyan family home, I immediately knew they would have a different place in my heart. Arpine has become my sister and she has NEVER asked for a single penny from us, we have always willingly given whatever was necessary to help - she would never even tell us the cost of what she needed, so that we wouldn't give her anything - of course, until I made this GoFund Me page to ask all of you for help. If we insisted, she would say "Just give as much as you feel like giving." Most of the time when she'd call to tell me something, it would be more to vent and have a shoulder to cry on rather than ask for money. Her sons, Romik & Sarkis, are like my little brothers - I care for them just as much as I do for my own brother. I call them and speak to them all the time and every time I am in Armenia, their house is one of the first places I go to. I make sure to remember their birthdays and have gifts/midnight cake surprises done for them, toys, and anything else they may want as children. I try to give them as much of the childhood that they'd been robbed of back to them; and I'd be lying if I said they don't reciprocate the love and appreciation that they do. They remember all events in my life, they make me gifts from scratch when they know I am going to visit Armenia, and they call me to tell me they miss me. I love this family with my whole heart and nothing makes me happier than seeing them smile. We are so blessed to have everything we do and we always tend to take the smallest things in life for granted. While you have a roof over your head, ears to hear with, an intact spine that helps you walk, gas to heat up your showers + food, insurance to cover medical expenses, etc. - these people are robbed of basic life function/necessities. I remember one time I went to visit and Romik had given up on drinking his medication, saying there is no point and he is going to never be cured anyway- then, he lost the bible necklace he always went to bed with and said that he is going to die because he never went a day without it. He prayed and prayed and prayed until he finally found it one day and was able to come out of his anxiety; but when he saw me, he told me i gave him hope and positivity to keep pushing because i told him I believed in him. So, even though this family have every reason to despise the life they live, they go to church and thank God because it can ALWAYS BE WORSE, as Arpine tells me. She tells me how thankful she is that they are at least alive and how thankful she is to God for their blessings. Arpnine always tells me that my family has been sent to her by God as a blessing for all the good they have in their hearts, and I firmly believe that that is exactly what one of my purposes here on Earth is to do. I love this family and I cannot wait to show/give them all of the proceeds you guys will help me raise. My biggest goal is to one day get this family a PERMANENT HOME they can live in rather than be squeezed in a 345 sq ft room with a whole family. A humongous thank you in advance to you all- let's get these kids CURED for good! ❤️️
A message that their mother, Arpine, wanted me to share with all of you:
"My name is Arpine Arshakyan and I have 2 young boys that have medical illnesses. I am not able to provide for them and have no help from the side- I have went to parliament and begged at the knees of every politician to help my kids and no one has done a single thing. I am sick myself and have over 100,000AMD prescribed blood-work that I need to get done, but cannot afford. I do not care for myself, as much as I do for my children. It is very crucial that I get my son Sarkis his braces to treat his speech and I am begging if anyone can please help, it would mean the entire world to us to be able to finally cover the costs for my children's medication. The government has cut off our gas and water supply and we are barely getting by. I cannot keep watching my babies suffer as a mother, knowing there isn't anything I can do to take their pain away. It breaks my heart to watch my Romik have crooked toes because I can't afford orthopedic shoes, so he has to be in pain all the time or that my son Sarkis' hearing aid runs out of battery by the time he gets home from school, because I cannot afford the expensive long-lasting ones; or how about when they don't have hot water to even take a basic shower. These are just SOME of the very few examples I have. If anyone can please spare any scraps of anything they may have, even just as little as 100AMD, it can be life-changing when it adds up. I thank God for this opportunity and the Mkryan family for all their help. May God bless them and everyone who puts their time and effort into helping us."
Organizer
Dianna Mkryan
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA