Support Misha's family upon his passing

Dear Friends and Kind Supporters,

On February 21, 2025, we lost Misha to Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma after a long and difficult battle. It took a significant amount of time to get him properly diagnosed, and unfortunately, his body could no longer fight.

Misha was a dedicated dentist who ran his own practice, working alongside his wife, Dana, who served as his dental assistant. He was not just a skilled professional but also a devoted husband and father. He leaves behind Dana and their two young children, 13-year-old Arthur and 3-year-old Mark, who will deeply feel the loss of their loving father.

With Misha’s passing, his family not only faces unimaginable grief but also financial uncertainty. Dana is currently unemployed, as they lost Misha’s practice due to his illness, and she now faces the challenge of rebuilding her career and life while caring for their children.

Any continued support, no matter how small, will go directly to Misha’s family to help them through this incredibly difficult time. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us, and we are truly grateful for the outpouring of support as our family navigates this heartbreaking loss.

Thank you for standing with us.

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My name is Nina Butenko, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my little cousin, Mychaylo Ilchenko (Misha). We grew up together in Ukraine, and he has always been like a younger brother to me. Misha is only 43 years old and has recently been diagnosed with Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that, unfortunately, cannot be effectively treated in Ukraine.

We are doing everything possible to transport Misha to a specialized clinic in Warsaw, Poland, where doctors have experience treating this condition. However, we have already exhausted our family's and friends' financial resources, and we are now turning to the kindness of the world for help.

A Battle Beyond Cancer:

Despite his diagnosis, Misha is still classified by the government as eligible for military service in the ongoing war with Russia. Bureaucratic delays have made it difficult to obtain the exemption he desperately needs to leave the country for treatment. His 75-year-old mother has been standing for days in the cold outside the Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support, pleading for his exemption so he can cross the border and receive life-saving care.

Misha is not just fighting for his own life—he is a husband and father to two boys, 13-year-old Artur and 3-year-old Marko. He has always been the provider for his family, and the uncertainty of his condition has been devastating for them.

We are hopeful that with your support, we can raise the funds needed to secure his treatment and help Misha get the care he urgently needs. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference in his fight for survival.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this unimaginable time.

With gratitude,

Nina Butenko

For direct payments from Ukraine:

5168 7520 9352 1402

For direct payments from abroad

https://paysend.com/

5168 7520 1668 2075

Or

PayPal

mykhailo.ilchenko AT gmail.com

Or

GoFundMe