“Fight for Antoś” — A Family’s Plea to Save Their Little Heart Warrior

When Antoś Sankiewicz was born on July 28, 2023, his parents anticipated the usual joy of welcoming a newborn — the soft warmth of summer, the sweet smell of new life, and the thrill of first milestones. Instead, their world was shaken by a life-altering diagnosis. Shortly after birth, Antoś was found to have a

single, double-outlet right ventricle, a complex and severe congenital heart defect. Medically, this is known as HLHS (hypoplastic left heart syndrome), a condition in which the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped. For Antoś’s parents, the news was devastating, yet amid the fear and uncertainty, they made a vow to do everything in their power to save their son.

HLHS is one of the most serious congenital heart defects a child can face. It affects the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively and requires multiple surgeries throughout the child’s early years. Antoś has already undergone

two critical procedures — the Crafoord and Glenn surgeries — and he still faces the Fontan procedure, a complex operation necessary to improve blood flow and increase the heart’s efficiency. Each surgery carries risks, and every hospital stay brings uncertainty. But through it all, Antoś has shown remarkable courage, enduring invasive procedures and long recovery periods with resilience far beyond his age.

The journey, however, has been far from linear. Even with carefully scheduled operations, the condition remains unpredictable. Routine appointments can quickly turn into emergencies. A year after his birth, a

planned catheterization in Łódź escalated when Antoś developed breathing problems, necessitating two emergency surgeries. These incidents are terrifying for any parent, but for Antoś’s family, they became a stark reminder of the fragility of life with HLHS. Each procedure tests not only Antoś’s physical endurance but also his parents’ emotional strength. Watching their son struggle while holding onto hope has been an exhausting and relentless challenge.

Beyond the physical and emotional toll, HLHS imposes a substantial financial burden. The cost of frequent hospital visits, specialist consultations, life-saving surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing monitoring is enormous. Antoś’s family cannot manage these expenses alone, and each new development in his condition threatens to overwhelm their limited resources. For them, asking for help is not just an option — it is a necessity. Without external support, Antoś’s access to life-saving care and treatment could be compromised, making the fight for his life even more precarious.

The family’s hope lies in the generosity of the community. They are seeking support to cover emergency medical care, upcoming surgeries, specialized treatments, and rehabilitation that is crucial for Antoś’s development and survival. Every donation, no matter how small, directly contributes to his ability to receive the care he desperately needs. Every contribution helps provide medical equipment, covers travel and hospital costs, and ensures that his treatment continues without interruption. Each act of kindness gives Antoś a chance at a healthier, stronger, and more independent life.

Despite the hardships, Antoś demonstrates extraordinary resilience and determination. Every small milestone — sitting up after surgery, responding to a parent’s voice, tolerating a therapy session — represents a triumph over adversity. His parents are steadfast in their care, ensuring he receives attention, therapy, and emotional support every day. They celebrate every heartbeat, every moment of alertness, and every sign of progress, however small. These victories, though incremental, are proof of the potential for recovery and improvement, and they fuel the family’s determination to continue fighting.

HLHS is not only a medical challenge; it is an ongoing battle for quality of life, hope, and normalcy. Antoś deserves the chance to grow, play, and experience childhood, despite the limitations imposed by his heart condition. For his parents, every step forward, no matter how small, is a reminder that hope and perseverance can make a difference. Yet, they cannot do it alone. Their plea is for a community to stand with them, to provide the resources that will allow Antoś to continue receiving the critical care he needs.

By contributing to Antoś’s treatment, donors can become part of his recovery journey. Each donation supports vital surgeries, medical consultations, therapy sessions, and equipment that enable him to thrive. Each share of his story spreads awareness and mobilizes support, increasing the chances that he will continue to grow stronger every day. For Antoś, these contributions are more than financial assistance — they are lifelines that sustain hope, strengthen his body, and offer the possibility of a brighter future.

💛 Support Antoś today. Every donation, every share, and every act of kindness brings him closer to life-saving care, rehabilitation, and the chance to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Together, we can help this little heart warrior continue his fight and give him the childhood he deserves.

A Last Hand to Hold

At 92, Mr. Thompson had lived a long life—full of love, loss, laughter, and quiet moments that most people could never imagine. But as he lay in his hospital bed, frail and tired, his heart carried only one desire: to hold his wife’s hand one last time. He had spoken little in recent days, his body weakened, his voice barely more than a whisper. But this wish, simple and profound, he voiced with clarity and longing.

Mrs. Thompson had been his partner for over seventy years. They had met as teenagers, fallen in love under the shade of a summer oak, and weathered a lifetime together. Together, they had built a family, shared countless adventures, and endured sorrows that tested the very core of their devotion. And now, nearing the end of their lives, their hearts still beat in sync, their love untouched by time.

The nurses, understanding the weight of this moment, carefully wheeled Mrs. Thompson’s bed beside her husband. She looked at him with the same gentle smile he had adored for decades. Her eyes, though clouded by age, still held the warmth and familiarity that had drawn him to her so many years ago.

When their hands were placed together, the room fell silent. But then something incredible happened—something that went beyond words, beyond explanation. For a brief, perfect moment, it was as if the years melted away. Their fingers intertwined, and a soft glow seemed to surround them. A sense of peace and completeness filled the room, touching everyone present.

Mr. Thompson’s frail hand held her own tightly, as though anchoring himself to the life they had shared. He looked into her eyes, and for a moment, it was not illness, nor age, nor the hospital walls that existed—it was just them, together again.

Tears rolled down the nurses’ cheeks, unspoken witnesses to a love that had endured storms, joy, separation, and reunion. Family members gathered quietly around, sensing that something extraordinary was unfolding. There was no need for words; the power of their bond spoke volumes. Every wrinkle, every tremor, every soft squeeze of the hand conveyed decades of shared laughter, whispered secrets, and unwavering devotion.

Minutes passed, though they felt like seconds, and then Mr. Thompson’s breathing grew slower, steadier, as if the act of holding her hand had given him a final surge of strength. He smiled faintly, eyes glistening, and whispered, “I’m home.”

Mrs. Thompson leaned closer, resting her head against the pillow beside him, her fingers never leaving his. She felt the same unspoken truth: love, when nurtured for a lifetime, can transcend even the inevitability of goodbye. And in that room, with hearts connected and hands clasped, time seemed to honor their story.

That simple act—a hand held, a touch shared—was more than a gesture. It was a culmination of seventy years of devotion, an affirmation that love does not falter with age or illness. It was proof that, at its truest, love is enduring, transformative, and infinitely powerful.

When Mr. Thompson passed quietly, holding his wife’s hand, the room felt both sorrowful and sacred. Life had taken him, but love had carried him to the very end. And as family and caregivers looked upon Mrs. Thompson, they realized that this was a love story for the ages—a testament to the quiet, unwavering strength of human connection.

Sometimes, it is the simplest moments—a hand held, a gaze shared, a presence felt—that remind us of what matters most. In that moment, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson reminded everyone witnessing their farewell that love, above all, is eternal.