UPDATE- 14 May 2026

I wanted to post a little update and say a massive THANK YOU to everyone for the incredibly generous donations, love and support. Svetlana and I are truly blown away by the kindness of this community.

So far:

• 174 people have donated through the GoFundMe

• St George Hospital hosted a bake-off a few weeks ago and raised an amazing $1,086 in cash donations

• There have also been additional direct cash donations to Svetlana totalling $1,950

That brings the total funds raised so far to an incredible $38,190.

April was an especially difficult month for Svetlana, as she was very unwell with the parainfluenza virus. She has now exhausted all of her sick leave and, unfortunately, has suffered permanent damage to her voice, which is now reduced to a whisper.

Despite everything, Svetlana continues to work while managing specialist appointments, ongoing health challenges, and being an incredible mum.

I am so proud to be part of such a beautiful community of humans. Thank you all so much for standing with Svetlana during this time — it means more than words can say.

Love Sarah

Original Post:

Svetlana is a 50 year old Anaesthetic Nurse, and lives in southwest Sydney. She is a single mum to 2 young teenage boys, and is a loving daughter, sister, and friend to many.

Svetlana Kuzovkova has spent her life caring for others. For more than 25 years at St George Hospital and over 30 years at Liverpool Hospital, she has supported patients, families, and colleagues with extraordinary kindness, compassion, and dedication. As an Anaesthetic Nurse, she has been a steady, caring presence for so many people during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

But to those who know her personally, Svetlana is so much more than her profession. She is warm, generous, and thoughtful, the kind of person who brings people together.

Many of her colleagues will remember not only her “Go Go Go” spirit, but also the beautiful homemade treats she would lovingly bake and bring in to share.

Now, Svetlana is facing the greatest challenge of her life.

She has recently been diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing voluntary muscle loss, weakness, and paralysis. Known as Lou Gehrig's disease or Motor Neuron Disease (MND), it affects motor function while typically leaving mental alertness intact. As it progresses, it causes difficulty swallowing, breathing, and paralysis.

With her condition progressing, she will not be able to work and will need increasing support, specialised care, equipment, therapies, transport, and help with everyday living expenses. These are burdens no one should have to carry alone, especially someone who has spent her whole life caring for everyone else.

Despite this devastating diagnosis, Svetlana is meeting each day with courage and strength.

With Svetlana's permission, this fundraiser has been created to help ease that burden.

Your donation will go directly to Svetlana to help cover essential costs such as:

• specialist appointments

• occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physiotherapy

• mobility aids and equipment

• transport costs, as she may soon be unable to drive

• medications and supplements

• everyday living expenses such as groceries, utilities, and mortgage repayments

Most importantly, your support will give Svetlana more time, more comfort, and more peace of mind — so she can focus on what matters most: making precious memories with her family and loved ones.

Svetlana has given so much to others throughout her life. Now it is our turn to stand with her.

Please donate if you can. No amount is too small, and every contribution will make a genuine difference. If you are unable to donate, sharing this page with your networks would mean so much.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. Please also consider leaving Svetlana a few words of encouragement through the “words of support” link on your receipt email.

Please help us support Svetlana through this heartbreaking time.

With love,

Sarah Hermann