“6 Surgeries, One Tiny Heart — and a Family That Refuses to Give Up”.2334

💔 The Heart That Refused to Stop — Wojtuś’s Fight for Life 💔

There are stories that shake your soul — stories that make you pause, take a deep breath, and realize how fragile life really is.


This is one of them.
This is the story of Wojtuś Sadowski, a boy whose tiny heart has already fought more battles than most adults ever will.

The Beginning: A Mother’s Fear, A Father’s Faith

When Wojtuś’s parents first saw their baby’s heartbeat on the ultrasound, it was supposed to be one of the happiest moments of their lives.
But that joy shattered in an instant.


During the halfway scan, doctors noticed something terribly wrong — the chambers of his heart were not where they should be. The diagnosis fell like a thunderbolt: a complex congenital heart defect.

The doctors’ words were devastating:

“Your child might not survive after birth.”

From that day forward, every breath, every movement, every flutter inside the womb became a prayer.

When he was born, his parents saw not just a newborn baby — but a warrior.


A tiny boy with a broken heart… yet a will to live that no one could explain.

Six Surgeries Before the Age of Five

The first months of his life were filled with hospital corridors, the smell of antiseptic, the hum of machines, and the constant fear of losing him.


Wojtuś underwent five heart surgeries in Poland — each one more dangerous than the last.
But none of them were enough.

Polish and European cardiologists finally admitted what no parent wants to hear:

“There’s nothing more we can do.”

But his parents refused to believe that.
They searched, wrote letters, called hospitals across the world — until one doctor answered.
His name was

Professor Frank Hanley from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in the U.S.
He looked at Wojtuś’s scans and said something no one else had dared to say:

“Let’s try to save both chambers.”

That was the moment hope returned.

A Journey Across the Ocean

They sold what they could.
They launched a fundraiser.
And thousands of strangers — people who had never met Wojtuś — opened their hearts and wallets.

Thanks to them, the family made it to Stanford.
The surgery was called Double Switch Hemi-Mustard, a term that sounds clinical but means one thing: a chance at life.

The operation lasted hours.
His mother could barely breathe in the waiting room, whispering prayers while her husband tried to stay calm.
She remembers the weight in her chest, the sound of the clock ticking, the updates every hour:

“He’s holding on.”
“He’s stable.”
“He’s strong.”

When the surgeon finally came out, smiling, tears fell like rain.
The impossible had happened.
Wojtuś had survived.

The Miracle That Followed

Seven days later, he was breathing on his own.


Fourteen days later, he left the hospital.

The change was astonishing.
For the first time in his life, he could eat without vomiting. His lips were no longer blue, his hands no longer cold.


He ran, laughed, played. His parents could hardly keep up with his energy.

After years of fear and pain, they finally had peace.
Two and a half years of normal childhood — of sunlight and playgrounds, of birthdays and laughter.

Professor Hanley had warned them that one day, when Wojtuś grew, the valve might need to be replaced.
But that was supposed to happen years from now.

No one was ready for what came next.

When the Nightmare Returned

During a routine check-up, the doctors saw something alarming.
The pulmonary valve — the one that had given him life — was narrowing again.

His pressure had climbed dangerously high:


80 mmHg, where a healthy child’s should be around 24.

They sent the scans back to Stanford.
Days later, an email arrived.

It said:

“It’s time. The valve must be replaced — immediately.”

The words hit like a knife.
They had thought they’d have three more years before another surgery.
But children with complex anatomy grow fast, and sometimes, the heart can’t keep up.
The valve had calcified — it was closing again.

Without surgery, the outcome is clear and cruel:
Pulmonary hypertension.
Right heart failure.
Cardiac arrest.

In simple words — their son would die.

A Race Against Time

And so here they are again — reliving the nightmare they thought was over.
The same fear.
The same desperate hope.
The same plea to the world:

“Please, help us save our child.”

They know the cost — it’s unimaginable for an ordinary family.
But they also know something else: miracles happen when people come together.

Because the last time they asked, the world answered.
And a dying child began to live again.

Now, they are asking for one more miracle.
One more chance.
One more heartbeat.

A Boy Who Refuses to Give Up

Today, Wojtuś is almost five.
He loves cars, dinosaurs, and running barefoot through the grass.
He calls his heart “my magic engine.”

He doesn’t know how many people once fought for that little engine to keep beating.
He doesn’t know how close he’s come to never having another birthday.

But his parents know.
And they will never stop fighting for him.

They believe that if he gets this surgery, he will once again outrun every prediction — just like he always has.
He’ll grow.
He’ll laugh.
He’ll live.

💔 From His Parents

“We’re terrified. But we believe.
We’ve seen miracles before — in the hands of doctors, in the hearts of strangers.
Please, help us bring our son home again.
Help his heart keep beating.”

🩵 How You Can Help

Every donation, every share, every word of support matters.
You are not just helping a little boy.
You are helping keep hope alive for an entire family that refuses to give up.

🙏 Please, read his story. Share it. And help save Wojtuś’s heart — one more time.

“Effie’s Bravery: Surviving Cancer from Just Five Months Old”.2073

At only five months old, Effie’s life began in a way no parent could have imagined. Born seemingly healthy, she carried within her a tumour that had been present since birth. Her early months were filled with uncertainty, worry, and countless questions. Her parents noticed something wasn’t right, but they were initially met with excuses and reassurances from medical professionals. Something as simple as pushing for further investigation felt like a struggle, but their instinct as parents would not allow them to rest.

Finally, after months of persistence, Effie underwent an MRI that revealed the shocking truth: a 5cm tumour located within her spinal cord. The discovery was both devastating and terrifying. The family faced the reality that their tiny baby had a highly aggressive tumour, and the road ahead would be fraught with challenges. At just a few months old, Effie was scheduled for surgery to relieve pressure on her spinal cord and to obtain a biopsy to determine the nature of the tumour.

The surgery itself was fraught with uncertainty. Doctors explained that the tumour was intricately intertwined within her spinal cord. Their initial plan was to remove about fifty percent of the tumour if possible, but they cautioned that they might not be able to remove any at all. The risk was high; any misstep could have catastrophic consequences. Yet, against all odds, the surgeon managed the impossible—Effie’s entire tumour was successfully removed. For the first time, her parents could hope that their daughter might survive this early battle, though the journey was far from over.

Following surgery, Effie began a grueling eleven months of intensive chemotherapy. The treatment was punishing, and there were moments when her life hung in the balance. Each hospital stay was a battle, not only against the cancer but against the side effects of the treatment itself. Yet Effie displayed an incredible resilience. Even though she was too young to understand the magnitude of what was happening, she showed a strength and determination that inspired everyone around her. Two years have passed since the end of her chemotherapy, and Effie remains stable. While doctors are cautious about calling her cancer-free due to some questionable marks on her MRIs, the fact that these remain unchanged provides hope that they are simply scar tissue and not signs of recurrence.

The tumour, however, left its mark. Effie now has an incomplete spinal cord injury and is classed as having incomplete tetraplegia. Her journey involves ongoing rehabilitation at the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville, alongside four-monthly surveillance scans to monitor her condition. Every day involves physical therapy, exercises, and learning new ways to navigate the world with her limitations. Yet despite these challenges, Effie’s spirit remains unbroken.

Further genetic testing revealed that Effie has a chromosome anomaly, which likely caused both her cancer and her global developmental delay. This revelation explained many of the medical complexities the family had faced but also highlighted how extraordinary Effie’s resilience truly is. Even though she is non-verbal, her personality and presence speak volumes. Effie expresses love, affection, and joy in her own ways, using her expressions, gestures, and the sheer light she brings into a room.

Effie’s journey is not just one of survival but of determination and courage. Every milestone, every moment of progress in her rehabilitation, and every day she wakes with her unique spark intact is a victory. Her parents describe her as the happiest and most determined little girl, a source of inspiration to everyone who meets her. The family’s dedication to her care, combined with Effie’s own unyielding spirit, has allowed her to continue growing, learning, and thriving in the face of extraordinary challenges.

We are honoured to share Effie’s story as part of the Go Gold campaign for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Her story exemplifies the resilience of children facing cancer, the importance of vigilant parental advocacy, and the remarkable impact of medical expertise and support networks. Effie is a reminder that courage comes in many forms—sometimes in the smallest of bodies, through the quietest of victories, and through the unspoken determination to live fully despite life’s obstacles.

Effie’s journey also highlights the ongoing needs of children with complex medical conditions. The combination of genetic anomalies, aggressive cancer, and spinal injury requires a multidisciplinary approach to care, encompassing oncology, rehabilitation, and developmental support. Yet despite all these challenges, Effie’s love of life shines through. She laughs, she reaches out to those around her, and she inspires hope, reminding her family and everyone who hears her story that even in the face of immense adversity, joy and determination can prevail.

For Effie, every day is a testament to her courage. From surviving surgery that many thought impossible, to enduring months of intensive chemotherapy, to adapting to her spinal injury and developmental challenges, she continues to amaze. Her story is a powerful call to action for childhood cancer awareness, research, and support. It reminds us all that every child facing cancer and complex medical challenges deserves hope, love, and a chance to live a life filled with joy, despite the hardships they endure.

Effie’s light, her happiness, and her determination continue to shine brightly, inspiring not only her family but the wider community. She is a testament to what children can endure, the strength of a family’s love, and the incredible work of medical teams who fight alongside these young warriors. Through her courage, Effie reminds us that even the smallest among us can face immense challenges with strength, resilience, and an unwavering spirit. 💛