On October 12, 2023, our lives were turned upside down. I remember that day vividly—the doctor’s solemn gaze, the piercing silence in the room, and the words that shattered our hearts: “Your daughter is terminally ill—Ewing’s sarcoma, a malignant tumor.” Those words felt unreal, like a nightmare we could not wake from.
Our story, however, began a few weeks earlier. Milenka, my daughter, has always been cheerful, full of energy, and endlessly curious about the world. She loves spending time outdoors, exploring, and playing. Like any child, she sometimes said she was tired or complained about pain after very active days. But I never imagined that the persistent leg pain she mentioned could be a sign of something so grave—a terminal illness.
At first, we were reassured. After multiple tests, the doctor concluded that Milenka had tendinitis, and I believed her pain was nothing serious. We treated it with gels, ointments, and physical therapy. For a while, I felt relief, thinking the worst was behind us. But over time, a small bulge appeared on her leg. Looking back now, I realize it was a malignant tumor that had been growing unnoticed. Had we pursued a more thorough diagnosis earlier, valuable time could have been gained—time that might have made the journey less perilous.
By October, the tumor had grown to 10 centimeters, and Milenka had almost stopped walking. It was then that doctors correctly diagnosed her with Ewing’s sarcoma—a rare, aggressive form of cancer affecting bones and soft tissues. From that moment, a dramatic fight for her life began.
Over the course of the next year, Milenka endured 14 cycles of chemotherapy, surgery to remove part of her fibula and surrounding soft tissue, and nearly nine months of hospitalization on IV drips due to persistent leukopenia. Every day was a struggle filled with pain, exhaustion, and fear, yet through it all, our daughter fought bravely. Her resilience amazed us, and we were inspired by her determination to live despite the suffering.
Finally, after months of treatment, we received the news we had longed for: Milenka was in remission. The relief and joy that washed over our family were indescribable. For a moment, it felt as though life was returning to normal, as if our beloved daughter could finally enjoy the carefree childhood every child deserves.
But in 2025, the cancer returned, in the same place, after only eight months. The joy of remission was cruelly short-lived. Milenka’s body had barely recovered from the previous treatment when the tumor reappeared. Panic, fear, and despair overwhelmed us. I began researching every possible specialist and clinic in the world that treats Ewing’s sarcoma. Statistics, case studies, and expert opinions consumed my days and nights.
Eventually, we found hope in Israel. Specialists in Tel Aviv offered the best chance for Milenka’s survival and a full recovery. We made the difficult decision to leave everything behind and fly to Israel for treatment. Currently, we are in the midst of her first cycle of chemotherapy. We face impossible questions: Will she need amputation of her leg to survive? Doctors are doing everything possible to avoid this, but the decision may become necessary to save her life. Ahead of us lie seven more cycles of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy—a long and arduous road to hope.
Unfortunately, the treatment comes with an enormous cost. We do not have the financial means to cover it. The thought that Milenka’s life now depends on money is devastating. Every day, every moment, feels like a race against time. This is why we are reaching out to the world. Every donation, every share, every act of support is a lifeline. Each contribution brings us closer to ensuring that Milenka can continue treatment and have a chance to survive.
Milenka’s courage in the face of such a merciless disease is remarkable. Even as she undergoes painful treatments, she shows strength and bravery beyond her years. Our family will never stop fighting for her. We will do everything possible to give her the chance to live, to grow, and to experience the childhood she so richly deserves.
Please help us save Milenka. Your support can give her a chance at life, a chance to beat this cancer, and a chance to have a future. Every donation, every share, every gesture of kindness brings hope to a little girl who has already endured more than anyone should have to.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your generosity, your compassion, and your belief that Milenka deserves to live.
— Milenka’s Mother
From the Gutter to a Home: Curby’s Remarkable Journey from Despair to Love.938
The day began like so many others for the Stray Rescue of St. Louis team — the phones ringing endlessly, each call representing another soul in need. But one message that day carried an urgent tone. A caller reported seeing a dog collapsed on the street in the blistering summer heat. The temperature in St. Louis had soared past safe limits, and the sun beat down relentlessly on the asphalt. Time was running out.
Donna Lochmann, the organization’s chief lifesaving officer, immediately took the call. Before setting out, she asked the caller to send photos. The images that came through were blurry, but one detail was unmistakable — the dog’s hip bones jutted sharply through his thin frame. He was lying motionless, the picture of exhaustion and defeat. Donna knew she had to find him fast.
When she arrived in the area, she couldn’t spot him at first. She drove slowly down the street, peering into alleys and overgrown lots. Then, something caught her eye — a faint shape by a gutter. Pulling over, Donna stepped out into the heavy, humid air and saw him: a frail brown dog lying half in the water that ran along the curb, trying to keep his body cool in the only way he could.
“The dog was lying in water by a gutter, likely trying to keep cool in the oppressive heat,” Donna later recalled. His breathing was shallow, his body trembling slightly with each exhale. When she softly called out to him, he lifted his head, looked at her with dull, tired eyes, and then let it fall back down again. That tiny movement broke her heart. “He looked like he’d already given up,” she said.
But Donna wasn’t about to give up on him. Slowly, she crouched beside him and spoke gently, her voice steady and reassuring. “Come on, buddy,” she murmured. “We’re here to help you.”
To her surprise, the dog made an effort to stand. With wobbly legs and careful steps, he followed her — a silent act of trust that said everything. Donna led him toward her jeep, where she’d already prepared a blanket and water. As soon as he climbed in, he curled up and let out a long sigh, as though realizing, perhaps for the first time in a long time, that he was safe.
In the cool air of the vehicle, his body relaxed. His head rested on the blanket, his eyes closing as the hum of the air conditioner filled the silence. For Donna, it was one of those quiet, sacred moments that remind rescuers why they do what they do. “He was clearly relieved to have a safe space,” she said.
They named him Curby, after the gutter where he had been found. The name carried a piece of his past, but his future was already looking brighter. At the shelter, Curby was given food, fluids, and gentle care. He devoured his first meal and soon after began to wag his tail again — a small but powerful sign that his spirit was returning.
Videos of his rescue quickly spread online, and among those who watched were a couple who couldn’t stop thinking about the sweet, weary dog with the soulful eyes. They reached out to Stray Rescue and asked if they could foster him. When they arrived to meet Curby, it was love at first sight.
Curby went home to a warm bed, his own toys, and something he hadn’t felt in a long time — belonging. He gained weight, his coat began to shine again, and he discovered the joy of playing with his new canine sibling. The once broken dog who had lain in a gutter now ran freely across a backyard, his tail wagging with every bound.
“His foster family is absolutely enchanted,” Donna shared proudly. “He’s turned out to be a truly charming dog.”
Curby’s journey from despair to hope is more than a story of survival — it’s a story of connection, of compassion meeting courage. He reminds us that even in the darkest, hottest corners of the city, there are hearts still willing to see, to stop, and to save.
For every rescuer like Donna, and every soul like Curby, this is what love in action looks like: quiet, determined, and utterly life-changing. From the gutter to a home — Curby’s heart beats stronger now, not just because he survived, but because someone cared enough to find him. ❤️
