For most parents, the idea of a child in the hospital is terrifying. For Karolina and Damian Bulanda, the nightmare became reality when their twenty-month-old son, Filipek, was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor. The doctors’ words were chilling: surgery could only prolong his life, not save it. Yet, giving up was never an option. They began a desperate search for the best neurosurgeons in Europe, clinging to the hope that someone, somewhere, could save their son.
Filipek had always been a bright, active child. Although he couldn’t yet speak, he communicated effortlessly with gestures, laughter, and the spark in his eyes. Karolina called him “the little Manager”—always on the move, singing, dancing, and commanding attention wherever he went. But in mid-January, subtle signs began to appear. Filipek became unusually fussy and unsettled, refusing his favorite songs and comfort objects. He started rubbing his head and even vomited. Days later, his energy waned. The cheerful boy who had played endlessly with his parents and siblings now refused to get out of bed or eat. Concerned, Karolina called the pediatrician, fearing a repeat of the tragedy they had faced when Filipek’s nine-month-old brother had succumbed to meningitis.
At the hospital, initial IV therapy brought him some strength, but the signs of something far more serious persisted. His legs trembled, balance faltered, and simple movements became impossible. The pediatrician recommended a CT scan, and the results shook the family to their core. Filipek had a tumor in his head—over eight centimeters in size, roughly the size of an adult fist. The gravity of the situation hit them like a storm: their bright, joyous boy now faced a life-threatening condition that could claim him at any moment.
Transferred to Warsaw for urgent treatment, Filipek underwent a five-hour surgery to implant a shunt to relieve pressure caused by the tumor. Surgeons managed to remove only a portion of the mass, explaining that complete removal was too risky. The parents were left in agony, waiting in the operating room, listening to updates that alternated between hope and despair. When they finally saw their son in the ICU, hooked up to countless machines, bandages soaked, and his tiny body restrained to prevent injury, the sight nearly broke their hearts. Yet Filipek, with extraordinary resilience, gave them a small wave, reminding them that he was still fighting.
The relief was temporary. Histopathology confirmed their worst fears: anaplastic ependymoma, a highly malignant tumor. The doctors warned that if Filipek reached his fifth birthday, it would already be a miracle. Words like these shattered the family’s world. Yet, even in the face of such hopelessness, they refused to surrender. Chemotherapy began immediately, but the tumor’s aggressive nature meant that conventional therapy alone could not save him. Specialized treatment abroad became the only lifeline.
With the support of friends, family, and strangers touched by Filipek’s story, his parents managed to secure a consultation with Professor Jonathan Finlay in Columbus, USA. The treatment plan was staggering: two neurosurgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and three bone marrow transplants, at an estimated cost of over 5.6 million złoty. Against all odds, the money was raised in record time, and Filipek embarked on a journey to the United States, carrying with him the hopes and prayers of hundreds who refused to stand by silently.
After months of grueling therapy, including intensive chemotherapy and hospital stays, Filipek began to recover. He endured countless medications, invasive procedures, and the physical and emotional toll of his disease with incredible bravery. Yet the battle was far from over. The doctors recommended proton therapy at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, a cutting-edge treatment that could slow the tumor’s progression and give him a fighting ch ance. Thanks to continued support, over 800,000 złoty was raised to fund this therapy, giving Filipek hope where there had once been only despair.
Finally, in January 2021, after months of hospital stays, procedures, and relentless treatment, Filipek returned to Poland with his parents. Their little warrior was home, greeted with tears and relief by loved ones who had feared they might never see him again. Though the road ahead remains uncertain, Filipek’s journey has already shown the power of courage, hope, and the extraordinary strength of a family unwilling to give up.
Filipek’s story is a testament to resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. It is also a call for continued support—for children like him whose fight for life cannot be undertaken alone. Every donation, every prayer, and every act of kindness is a lifeline, a chance to ensure that this tiny boy, who has already endured so much, can continue to dream, play, and live. Filipek Bulanda is more than a patient; he is a symbol of courage, hope, and the enduring power of human compassion.
Meet Kinsley: A Tiny Fighter With a Big Heart.2020
Kinsley’s journey began long before her first cry, long before her parents held her in their arms. At their 20-week ultrasound, they received news that would change everything: their baby girl would be born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a complex heart condition combining four distinct defects. For expectant parents, the revelation was both shocking and daunting, a moment when dreams of a typical pregnancy intertwined with urgent concern for their child’s life.
Despite the uncertainty, Kinsley grew inside her mother’s womb, a tiny fighter showing early signs of strength and resilience. When she finally arrived, the challenges of her condition became immediate. Her delicate body struggled with feeding, and she required a nasogastric (NG) tube to ensure she received the nourishment necessary to grow. Every sip, every swallow was monitored, every gained gram a triumph. The NICU became her first home, a place where machines, monitors, and gentle care combined to support her fragile beginnings.
Kinsley’s parents quickly became experts in balancing hope with caution. The path ahead was clear: surgical repair of her heart, the only treatment that could correct her Tetralogy of Fallot. Typically, babies undergo this surgery between four and six months of age, but Kinsley’s courage and early growth allowed her to prepare for her operation sooner. By the time she reaches three months old, she will travel to another province for the critical procedure that promises a brighter future—a milestone that fills her family with both anxiety and anticipation.
Even amidst the medical complexities, Kinsley’s personality shines through. She is a sweet, gentle little girl who finds joy in the simplest of comforts: her “nummy,” the warmth of sleep, and the quiet presence of her family. Her big brother is a constant source of love, offering playful encouragement, gentle smiles, and unwavering support. Together, their bond forms a protective cocoon around Kinsley, reinforcing that love and family are as vital as any medical intervention.
Her parents marvel at her determination. Despite her early challenges, Kinsley continues to thrive, defying expectations with every heartbeat, every feed, and every quiet moment of growth. The NICU, once a place of concern and uncertainty, now serves as a stage on which her strength is quietly celebrated. Every day brings small victories: weight gain, stable oxygen levels, improved feeding, and the confidence that her surgery is approaching with preparation and hope rather than fear alone.
Surgery looms as both a source of anxiety and promise. Kinsley’s parents know the risks inherent in heart repair, yet they also see the opportunity for a new chapter—a future where their daughter can breathe easier, feed without struggle, and live without the shadow of complex heart defects. Their faith in her resilience, combined with the skill of the medical teams who have already nurtured her fragile body, provides a sense of hope amid uncertainty.
Every smile from Kinsley, every gentle sigh in her sleep, every tiny grasp of her parents’ fingers is a testament to her spirit. Her journey reminds us that courage is not measured in months or ounces, but in the quiet strength that allows a tiny body to endure the extraordinary. In Kinsley, the world sees a miracle unfolding—not defined solely by medical challenges, but by her determination to grow, love, and thrive despite them.
Her family’s story is one of love intertwined with resilience, of hope carefully nurtured alongside medical vigilance. The NICU walls, once daunting, now echo with celebration of progress and small milestones. Her parents embrace each day, knowing that every challenge Kinsley has already faced is a prelude to the life she is destined to lead—a life of laughter, curiosity, and the unshakable bond of family.
As Kinsley prepares for surgery, her parents hold onto hope, trust in skilled hands, and the knowledge that their little girl has already shown remarkable courage. They know that this next step, while daunting, is another opportunity for their daughter to flourish. Kinsley’s story is a reminder that even the tiniest hearts carry the greatest strength, that miracles are measured in growth and resilience, and that love can transform fear into courage.
Kinsley is more than her diagnosis. She is a fighter. She is a joy. She is a little girl with a big heart—ready to meet every challenge, embrace every milestone, and thrive in the life that awaits her.
