Running 100K for Lev–A Boy Who Fought Through War and Ilness

Running 100K for Lev – A Boy Who’s Fought Through War and Illness

Hi, my name is Kat, and in October 2025, I will run a 100-kilometre ultramarathon to raise funds for a little warrior named Lev and his incredible mother, Daria.

Their journey is one of unimaginable strength, heartbreak, and hope.

In 2022, Daria and her then 2-year-old son Lev lived in Kyiv. When war broke out in Ukraine, they fled for their lives — hiding in bomb shelters and abandoned buildings, crossing borders in fear, and finally finding safety in Munich, Germany, thanks to the generosity of a friend.

They left everything behind — home, belongings, and eventually, even family. A year later, Daria and her husband separated due to betrayal and hardship.

Just when it seemed life couldn’t be more challenging, tragedy struck.

On February 23, 2024, Lev — now just 4 years old — suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage. Doctors diagnosed him with Vein of Galen Malformation, a rare and serious congenital condition. He underwent four life-saving brain surgeries, including the insertion of a shunt to manage hydrocephalus.

But Lev’s journey is far from over.

Because he is still growing, he’ll need at least two more surgeries in the coming years. Today, he is bravely working through the aftermath — his right side is weaker, and his speech and motor functions have been affected. He needs ongoing therapies, medical care, and stability — things that are hard to come by when you're a refugee mother raising a sick child on your own in a foreign country.

That’s why I’m asking for your help.

Running 100 kilometers is nothing compared to what Lev and Daria have endured. Your support will go directly toward:

Lev’s upcoming medical procedures

Ongoing physiotherapy and speech therapy

Equipment and tools to support his development

Giving this mother and son a chance to rebuild a life with dignity and hope

Please consider donating — any amount helps — or simply sharing Lev’s story with your community.

Let’s help Lev keep moving forward. One step at a time.