Катя Мельникова

Little Katya's Big Tragedy

"Hi Santa Claus, I'm 16 years old. Of course, I don't believe that you exist at all. Help me grow up and I'll believe that you really exist...".

With these lines began a letter that the owner of the toy store showed to our employee. This New Year they traditionally set up a mailbox for the letters of wishes to Santa Claus (so clever parents in our area learned the New Year wishes of their kids secretly). The letter from Katya Melnikova was the only one with a wish that turned out to be impossible for the sellers - Katya asked them to help her grow up. This letter ended up in our foundation. In neat calligraphic handwriting this little adult girl asked for a miracle.
The letter had an address and phone number and we immediately got in touch with Katya's parents.
Sink's Syndrome. This is what keeps Katya from growing up. It's an extremely rare genetic disorder caused by severe skin, neurological and joint disorder.
In Katya's case the main manifestations were systemic inflammation and joint deformities. Only hormone-steroid therapy could cure these aggravations, which caused the impairment of the ability to grow. This vicious circle led to the fact that Katya stopped growing at the age of 6.
Weak immune system and severe pains in her legs prevent Katya from going to school and making new friends, and Katya feels the difference from her peers especially strongly. The girl is not only seriously ill, but also lonely.
We had no idea how to help Katya. At the beginning of her life Katya needs to go through a number of examinations and tests.

Together we will give Katusha faith in the miracle of Christmas and hope to become like everyone else!

WE ARE COLLECTING MONEY TO PAY FOR THE EXAMINATIONS

NEWS 05.02.21

Katusha was examined in detail. Based on the results of a telemedicine consultation, recommendations were received from two specialized clinics in St. Petersburg. They are familiar with the syndrome. The specialists of both clinics recommended a number of additional examinations which would give a complete assessment of Katusha's condition. There is no 100% certainty that Katya will start growing. However there is a small ray of hope that they may stop the disease progressing. At the moment we decide about her hospitalization in one of the specialized clinics of the Russian Federation.