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  • Right now, I'm completely happy

    Right now, I'm completely happy

    Margarita Khairullina recovered from leukaemia and managed to earn a degree in journalism, get into photography and become a swimming instructor. Read her story now and support children with cancer. Read more

  • Become part of a solution to at least one problem

    Become part of a solution to at least one problem

    Olga Zenovich works in Bloomberg and supports social projects across the world. Olga has recently traded volunteering hours for monetary donations to Gift of Life. Here she explains how. Read more

  • Viliam Khailo: You have to believe in your dream

    Viliam Khailo: You have to believe in your dream

    Viliam Khailo lives and breathes music. Even during his treatment for leukaemia in December 2017, he kept his violin by his side. We talked to Viliam and learned whether the coronavirus quarantine was a barrier between him and his beloved music. Read more

  • Nikita Merkulov: Try, make mistakes, but don’t stop

    Nikita Merkulov: Try, make mistakes, but don’t stop

    In 2008, Nikita was treated for lymphogranulomatosis. We have recently talked to Nikita about the second most serious quarantine of his life - coronavirus self-isolation. Read more

  • Right now, I'm completely happy
  • Become part of a solution to at least one problem
  • Viliam Khailo: You have to believe in your dream
  • Nikita Merkulov: Try, make mistakes, but don’t stop
  • Next
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  1. Blog

Real life stories

Right now, I'm completely happy

Right now, I'm completely happy

Margarita Khairullina recovered from leukaemia and managed to earn a degree in journalism, get into photography and become a swimming instructor. Read her story now and support children with cancer. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 10th November, 2020

Updated: 17th December, 2020

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Viliam Khailo: You have to believe in your dream

Viliam Khailo: You have to believe in your dream

Viliam Khailo lives and breathes music. Even during his treatment for leukaemia in December 2017, he kept his violin by his side. We talked to Viliam and learned whether the coronavirus quarantine was a barrier between him and his beloved music. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 22nd July, 2020

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Nikita Merkulov: Try, make mistakes, but don’t stop

Nikita Merkulov: Try, make mistakes, but don’t stop

In 2008, Nikita was treated for lymphogranulomatosis. We have recently talked to Nikita about the second most serious quarantine of his life - coronavirus self-isolation. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 14th July, 2020

Updated: 22nd July, 2020

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Maria Dyatlova: I didn't value all those opportunities the way I do now

Maria Dyatlova: I didn't value all those opportunities the way I do now

Ten years ago Maria Dyatlova was a child in the care of Podari Zhizn. We've reached out to Maria to talk about the quarantine, her fears, and her plans for the second half of 2020. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 9th July, 2020

Updated: 22nd July, 2020

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Viliam Khailo: “There’s no progress without struggle”

Viliam Khailo: “There’s no progress without struggle”

Viliam had gone through treatment for leukaemia with the support of Podari Zhizn, and tells us where he gets his inspiration and his “energy boost”. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 19th July, 2019

Updated: 3rd July, 2020

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Abu Baysultanov. Abu’s come to Moscow!

Abu Baysultanov. Abu’s come to Moscow!

In 2007, 18-month-old Abu Baysultanov was diagnosed with acute leukaemia. He survived and recovered from cancer thanks to your help! Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 3rd July, 2019

Updated: 22nd July, 2020

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Anya Aleksandrova: Never give up

Anya Aleksandrova: Never give up

Anya Aleksandrova had a slim chance of recovering as bone marrow transplant was too dangerous. Luckily, Anya’s life was saved! Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 18th June, 2019

Updated: 22nd July, 2020

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Vlad Demidov: Meeting the Donor

Vlad Demidov: Meeting the Donor

A sea of smiles, happiness and kind words. Eyes shining with joy. And children who instantly make friends and go out to play - three years past the transplantation, Vlad Demidov has met his bone marrow donor, Nastya. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 15th May, 2019

Updated: 26th June, 2019

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Ahmed Ozov: My donor is a hero of our time

Ahmed Ozov: My donor is a hero of our time

In Hannover two men face each other. The shorter one, unable to hide his tears, tries to wipe them away as he repeats the same Russian words: “thank you”. The other smiles, hugs him and says reassuringly, “everything is all right”—in German. Please meet the latest heroes of the Blood Family project: Ahmed Ozov and his bone marrow donor, Timo Sandau from Germany. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 21st February, 2019

Updated: 15th March, 2019

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
A surprise for Masha Dyatlova

A surprise for Masha Dyatlova

Masha Dyatlova's dream to meet Florence, her bone marrow donor, came true. They met in London at the Gift of Life Gala on 13 Jan 2019. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 29th January, 2019

Updated: 18th September, 2020

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • News
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
  • Supporters
Vlad Demidov: Thank you for our new life

Vlad Demidov: Thank you for our new life

Irina doesn’t know the name of the person who saved her child’s life. Vlad is growing, maturing, and displaying his own unique personality—as if nothing ever happened. Vlad Demidov and his mother Irina are the new heroes of the Blood Family project. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 7th January, 2019

Updated: 22nd July, 2020

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Raul Abdulov: To my daughters, I’m ‘damudoc’: Dad, Mum and Doctor all in one package

Raul Abdulov: To my daughters, I’m ‘damudoc’: Dad, Mum and Doctor all in one package

The acute lymphoblastic leukaemia just wouldn’t go away. Elvira (Elya to her friends) went through treatment three times, had two relapses, and finally received a bone marrow transplant. Elya’s donor was her father Raul. This interview with a deeply beloved father and his hundred-percent-compatible daughter turned into a talk with the two people closest to each other. Please welcome the latest heroes of the Blood Family project, Elya and Raul Abdulov. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 8th December, 2018

Updated: 7th January, 2019

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • News
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Zlata Andreeva: It’s nothing compared to what I’ve already been through

Zlata Andreeva: It’s nothing compared to what I’ve already been through

Let us introduce you to young and beautiful Zlata. She was unlucky to get cancer when she was 15 y.o., but she Is one in a million lucky girl to have her mother as a donor with 100% match. The Blood Family project (Родная кровь) is all about amazing stories of cancer survivors, and here is Zlata’s story. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 16th September, 2018

Updated: 16th November, 2018

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Kristina Tarasova: They won’t cure this disease in Kursk. Look to Moscow and Maschan to save you

Kristina Tarasova: They won’t cure this disease in Kursk. Look to Moscow and Maschan to save you

The sisters Kristina and Anna Tarasova (though they now go by their married names) live in Kursk, and have a remarkable story to tell us about how Kristina was saved from aplastic anaemia. There’s only one way to cure this disease: to carry out a transplant which will replace the dysfunctional bone marrow with healthy donated marrow. To the great delight of their parents, their doctors and of course the sisters themselves, Anna was able to become her sister’s donor. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 9th September, 2018

Updated: 16th November, 2018

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Nastya Ivanova: Give them a great big thank you

Nastya Ivanova: Give them a great big thank you

At 9 years old, Nastya knows that some illnesses can kill. She’s already spent half a year being treated for nephroblastoma. We came to see Nastya in hospital and found out that on top of the treatment she’s been finding time for art and studying. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 21st August, 2018

Updated: 16th November, 2018

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Anya Sorokina: Blood sister

Anya Sorokina: Blood sister

Anya Sorokina was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, one of the worst bone marrow diseases, when she was the only child in her family. Now she is a healthy young lady and a happy sister to four siblings. Once, Anya's parents Olga and Alexei only dreamt of having a single child, but Anya's disease changed everything. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 26th July, 2018

Updated: 10th September, 2018

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
The Kartishov sisters: Two people, one life, one victory

The Kartishov sisters: Two people, one life, one victory

The twins Liza and Katya Kartishov became even closer when Katya fell ill with aplastic anaemia. Luckily, Katya’s salvation came in the form of a bone marrow transplant, with her sister Liza as the donor. And today, they tell about surviving cancer. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 28th June, 2018

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Zhenya Vaneeva: I don’t divide my life into ‘before’ and ‘after’

Zhenya Vaneeva: I don’t divide my life into ‘before’ and ‘after’

As a 15-year-old, Zhenya Vaneeva was hospitalised with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 10 years later, Zhenya recalls the past and shares her thoughts about the future. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 1st June, 2018

Updated: 5th March, 2020

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Nastya Zerova: My illness was like a dream. And then the dream faded away

Nastya Zerova: My illness was like a dream. And then the dream faded away

The story of Nastya Zerova, a girl from the little town of Gubakh in Perm Krai, can be called nothing but amazing. All manner of remarkable things happened to Nastya and her mother Vera thanks to the acute myeloblastic leukaemia Nastya was diagnosed with in 2008. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 21st May, 2018

Updated: 12th July, 2018

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Oksana Sobolevskaya: My life is a dream that’s already started to come true

Oksana Sobolevskaya: My life is a dream that’s already started to come true

“I’m alive, in good health and ever so grateful.” Oksana Sobolevskaya and her brother Anton are recalling their experience of bone marrow transplant treatment in our Family Blood project. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 20th November, 2017

Updated: 23rd April, 2018

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Kseniya Kostyuk: A mother’s love knows no limits

Kseniya Kostyuk: A mother’s love knows no limits

At the end of a hard day packed with cancer treatments and medical procedures mothers of the children in our care feel exhausted. But you know that a mother’s love knows no limits. And our mothers carry on smiling through the tears and keep doing all they can to save the most precious what they have - their children. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 20th November, 2017

Updated: 16th November, 2018

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Galya Bolshova: The most important thing is to keep fighting until the end

Galya Bolshova: The most important thing is to keep fighting until the end

Galya Bolshova has had to face leukaemia twice. But she didn’t give up, and emerged victorious from the battle. Today, Galya has graduated from university and works as a manager. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 20th November, 2017

Updated: 16th November, 2018

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
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Showing 10 of 22

Latest

  • The 2020 Impact Report has arrived

    The 2020 Impact Report has arrived

    Read the report to know about the children you've helped and to celebrate the charity's achievements. We've made it together!

  • Give the Gift of Life this festive season resources

  • Give the Gift of Life this festive season

    Give the Gift of Life this festive season

    If you are lost on what to give family and friends this Festive Season, look no further. An amazingly simple gift, which will shine the brightest and have a lasting impact for years and years to come.

  • 2020 Impact Report

    2020 Impact Report

    The global pandemic of COVID-19 might have separated us physically, but it united us in our urge to help those in need. Thank you for your support!

Most read

  • The Little Prince

    The Little Prince

    WEDNESDAY 24th October 2018, 7PM London premiere - a charity performance of THE LITTLE PRINCE with CHULPAN KHAMATOVA. Tickets are limited. Book yours today. All proceeds will benefit children in the care of Gift of Life.

  • Who we are

    Who we are

    Gift of Life was established in 2011 as a UK sister charity of Russia's leading childhood cancer charity Podari Zhizn.

  • Pavel Morozov: from Dover to Calais without a ticket

    Pavel Morozov: from Dover to Calais without a ticket

    This is WOW so cool! In less than a month Gift of Life Patron Pavel Morozov is swimming the English Channel to raise funds for the kids with cancer in Russia. You are very welcome to support this challenge.

  • Pavel's Channel challenge

    Pavel's Channel challenge

    In few weeks Gift of Life Patron Pavel Morozov is swimming the English Channel to fundraise for the kids with cancer in Russian hospitals. Let's support this uber-tough challenge.

  • Bone marrow transplant for Sergei

    Bone marrow transplant for Sergei

    Over £16,500 from £20,000 needed for a vital surgery for Sergei Gerasimov has been raised. Thank you for helping Sergei beat cancer!

  • Other ways to donate

    Your donation to Gift of Life will help children in Russian hospitals beat cancer. For our bank details, PayPal and other ways to donate as well as Gift Aid check Read More.

  • Who we help

    Who we help

    Gift of Life helps to pay medical expenses for children and young adults (aged up to 25) diagnosed with cancer and hematologic diseases and receiving their treatment in Russian hospitals.

  • Nastya Zerova: My illness was like a dream. And then the dream faded away

    Nastya Zerova: My illness was like a dream. And then the dream faded away

    The story of Nastya Zerova, a girl from the little town of Gubakh in Perm Krai, can be called nothing but amazing. All manner of remarkable things happened to Nastya and her mother Vera thanks to the acute myeloblastic leukaemia Nastya was diagnosed with in 2008.

  • Mad tea party 2018

    Mad tea party 2018

    Mad Tea Party, or Bezumnoe Chaepitie, is an annual charity initiative held on the 26th of November to mark the birthday of Podari Zhizn, our sister charity foundation. The idea behind Mad Tea Party is to raise a cup of tea, or coffee, to Podari Zhizn’s achievements and support children with cancer.

  • Corporate partnership

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Gift Of Life, Registered Charity in England and Wales (1140638). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (7471547). Registered office: 2 Putney Hill, London, SW15 6AB

Email: [email protected]