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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
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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
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

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 9th October, 2020

Updated: 10th November, 2020

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
We set our fears and anxieties aside – and managed it all!

We set our fears and anxieties aside – and managed it all!

The Podari Zhizn coordinators at the Rogachev Centre about quarantine, its lows and ups for young cancer patients and the team. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 1st September, 2020

Updated: 11th October, 2020

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  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
Celebrating for the greater good

Celebrating for the greater good

Julia Morozova has been celebrating her birthday in aid of charity for several years, and today we talked about her motivation to do so. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 20th August, 2020

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  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
Donations instead of presents

Donations instead of presents

Celebrating one’s birthday in a meaningful way and helping children beat cancer is easy. We talked to Nastasya Savina about celebrating for the greater good. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 11th August, 2020

Updated: 20th August, 2020

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  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
I finally felt myself to be part of someone's life

I finally felt myself to be part of someone's life

Vlada Zhunina, a journalist, helped Gift of Life as a volunteer at the Gala 2020 and shared her experience of seeing the results of such help. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 10th August, 2020

Updated: 29th September, 2020

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  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
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

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  • Real Life Stories
  • Children
Igor Selivanov: If you are able to and want to - help out

Igor Selivanov: If you are able to and want to - help out

Igor Selivanov on how he found himself enjoying charity support and how it all started with Gift of Life Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 8th March, 2020

Updated: 22nd July, 2020

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  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
Don’t be afraid to be by another’s side

Don’t be afraid to be by another’s side

"You might find yourself lamenting how awful it is for a sick child, or you might find a way to distract them so they smile and feel warm inside. When you see that happy smile, you see for yourself that it was all worth doing." Read our interview with the Podari Zhizn coordinators at the Dmitry Rogachev Centre to see that their work isn’t just about suffering. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 23rd December, 2019

Updated: 28th August, 2020

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
  • Doctors
Arina Gaba: The recovery stories of the children once in my care are the results of my work in the flesh

Arina Gaba: The recovery stories of the children once in my care are the results of my work in the flesh

Arina Gaba, Trustee of Gift of Life, on how she found herself enjoying charity work and how it all started with Gift of Life back in 2010 Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 24th September, 2019

Updated: 5th March, 2020

Author: Marina Mosyakova

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  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
Lyuba Galkina: Dreams come true

Lyuba Galkina: Dreams come true

Lyuba Galkina is a Trustee of Gift of Life. She is a co-founder of the ZIMA group, and a marketer who has previously worked for Pepsi, Nike, Apple, and Google. Lyuba tells us that success is ephemeral, and that it’s not a word she’d apply to herself. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 6th September, 2019

Updated: 13th October, 2019

Author: Marina Mosyakova

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  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
Galina Novichkova: Every pound pays for someone’s life

Galina Novichkova: Every pound pays for someone’s life

“Every pound, or dollar, or ruble, pays for someone’s life, and the value of life isn’t something you can measure in money,” says Galina Novichkova. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 27th August, 2019

Updated: 23rd March, 2020

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Doctors
Simon Jennings: Bringing to light problems leads to better solutions

Simon Jennings: Bringing to light problems leads to better solutions

Simon Jennings, our Chair of the Board, talks about charity work, motivation to do good and inspiration to discover the world. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 8th August, 2019

Updated: 7th September, 2019

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
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
A day in the life of a coordinator at the state children’s hospital

A day in the life of a coordinator at the state children’s hospital

My name is Julia. I work as a coordinator for the Podari Zhizn charity at the Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Haematology and Immunology. To me, this isn’t just a job, but a way of life. Today, I want to share with you one August day from the life of our hospital. Read more

Posted to: Real life stories

Published: 17th September, 2018

Updated: 8th December, 2018

Author: Marina Mosyakova

Related topics:
  • Real Life Stories
  • Supporters
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Showing 10 of 37

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]