Lena Surma, lovingly called Lenka, is an 8-year-old girl from Lędziny whose life has been filled with empathy, curiosity, and the kind of joy that brightens any room. From the moment she was born, Lenka brought laughter and warmth to her family. She loved learning, playing with friends, and exploring the world around her. Her smile was infectious, her energy boundless, and her dreams — like any child’s — simple yet full of hope.
But in 2015, everything changed. At only a young age, Lenka was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, a diagnosis that sent shockwaves through her family’s world. The carefree days of school and play vanished, replaced by hospital corridors, medical consultations, and endless uncertainty. In an instant, Lenka’s life became a battle for survival.
Her journey began with a complex, life-saving surgery. Following this, she endured nearly two years of intense treatment — chemotherapy, radical radiotherapy, and supportive chemotherapy to fight the tumor. These procedures, while necessary, took a tremendous toll on her little body. Lenka developed hearing loss, nystagmus, and cerebellar syndrome, affecting her balance and motor skills. Despite these challenges, she showed an extraordinary spirit. She faced every needle, every scan, and every long day in the hospital with bravery, a bright smile, and an unbroken will. Her courage inspired her doctors, nurses, and everyone who came into contact with her.
In August 2017, Lenka’s battle became even more daunting. Her cancer returned, demonstrating the aggressive and unrelenting nature of the disease. She underwent a second tumor resection, but the hope of recovery was again shadowed by fear as the tumor recurred in the fourth ventricle and spread to the medulla oblongata, an area critical for vital functions. In December of the same year, Lenka faced a third surgery. Each procedure carried life-threatening risks, and each time, her family braced for the worst, holding on to hope with every ounce of strength they had.
Despite these setbacks, Lenka’s courage never wavered. Even when the treatments caused extreme fatigue, nausea, and pain, she displayed a remarkable resilience that left medical staff in awe. Her determination to keep fighting, even as her tiny body endured procedure after procedure, is a testament to her extraordinary spirit. Each day, she continues to inspire those around her with the simple acts of living — smiling at her mother, responding to her siblings, and showing that life, even in the hospital, can still hold moments of joy.
Lenka’s options in Poland have been exhausted. The conventional treatments available have been unable to halt the progression of her disease. Today, her only hope for survival is advanced treatment abroad, where specialists can provide therapies that are unavailable locally. This treatment includes critical medications, further surgeries, and constant monitoring — essential steps to give Lenka a chance at life. In addition to medical costs, there are travel expenses, accommodation, and support needed for her single mother, who has tirelessly cared for Lenka while also looking after her other children. The burden on this family is immense, both emotionally and financially.
Every day, Lenka shows an incredible strength beyond her years. She endures long hours of rehabilitation, participates in therapies to regain motor skills, and faces medical procedures that would terrify even adults. Yet she greets each day with a brave heart, her love for life shining through. Her mother, carrying the weight of her daughter’s illness and the responsibilities of a family, continues to fight alongside her.
Now, Lenka and her family are reaching out for help. They need urgent support to afford life-saving treatment abroad. Every donation, no matter how small, brings Lenka closer to the care she desperately needs. Your generosity can provide advanced therapies, medical consultations, and the chance for Lenka to have a future where she can play, laugh, and grow like other children her age.
Lenka’s story is not just about illness — it is about courage, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter. It is about a little girl who refuses to give up, whose spirit remains unshaken despite the relentless challenges she faces. By contributing to Lenka’s treatment, you are giving her hope, a chance at survival, and a life beyond the hospital walls.
This brave little girl deserves a chance to experience her childhood, to feel the warmth of her family’s love without fear, and to grow up free from the shadow of illness. Together, we can help Lenka continue her fight and show her that the world cares. Every donation, every prayer, and every message of support counts. Help Lenka win her battle and allow this courageous girl to shine brightly once more.
A Mother’s Struggle: A Plea for Help in the Fight for My Daughter’s Health.2869
My daughter Isabel is still in the hospital, and it looks like we will be here for a while. She was diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease, a condition that has made our lives a rollercoaster of appointments, stress, and uncertainty. It’s been an incredibly tough journey for both of us, and I just want to share an update on where we are and how much more we still have to face.
Isabel’s condition is serious, and as part of her treatment, she has to wear an ostomy bag for at least a year and a half. This is just one part of the many obstacles she faces. We’ve been told she will need another surgery soon to insert a feeding tube into her stomach. Right now, Isabel can’t use a bottle, which has been incredibly hard for both of us. As a mother, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your child struggle to do the simplest things, like eating, that other babies do naturally.
The number of appointments we have to attend is overwhelming. The constant back and forth is exhausting, and it feels like we’re always running behind. Between her medical care and the logistics of getting to the appointments, I feel like time slips away, and I can never catch up. On top of that, it’s been incredibly difficult to find the energy and time to care for my other needs—like eating, resting, and simply trying to stay grounded.
The social worker assigned to help us has been a true blessing, but she can only do so much. The emotional weight of this journey is something only a mother can truly understand. No matter how much help is offered, it’s never enough to ease the heartache. Every day, I watch my daughter fight, and every day, I wonder if we’re doing enough for her. The feeling of helplessness is constant.
We’ve been staying in a room at the Ronald McDonald House, which has been such a huge relief. It’s comforting to have a place to rest while being so close to Isabel, but it doesn’t take away the deep exhaustion I feel in my soul. There are times when I just want to break down and cry, but I have to keep it together—for Isabel, for our family. It’s so hard to watch your child go through so much, and at times, I feel like I’m losing everything. The weight of everything—physically, emotionally, and financially—is almost too much to carry.
One of the hardest things is the uncertainty. I constantly worry about Isabel’s future, about her surgeries, and whether we’re doing the right thing for her. Every time the doctors come to update us, I hold my breath, hoping for good news but always fearing the worst. And the worst part is not knowing what’s next, knowing that the future is full of more appointments, more surgeries, and more uncertainty.
The nurses and hospital staff have been wonderful, doing everything they can to care for Isabel. But even they can’t erase the fear that lives in my heart. They can change her dressings, adjust her medications, and monitor her closely, but they can’t give me the certainty I long for. All I can do is keep holding on, keep fighting, and hope that the next day will bring us closer to healing.
Isabel is incredibly strong, and she continues to surprise us with her resilience. Even though she can’t eat in the same way as other babies, she still manages to smile and show us the strength she has within her. Her little spirit keeps me going, even on the darkest days. But I know that the road ahead is long, and the journey is far from over. Every step we take is one more step toward healing, one more step closer to bringing her home in a healthier state.
The cost of everything has been overwhelming—medications, hospital stays, travel, and of course, the surgery that Isabel will need. The financial burden of this illness weighs heavily on us, and we are struggling to keep up. We are grateful for the Ronald McDonald House and the support we’ve received, but we can’t do this alone. The help we need to support Isabel and her ongoing care is more than we can handle on our own.
I’m asking for help, not just for me, but for Isabel. She deserves the chance to grow up, to play with her friends, to live a life without the constant fear of medical complications. Please, if you can, help us with whatever you can. Every donation, every share, every kind gesture will make a difference in Isabel’s life. We are doing everything we can to give her the best future possible, and with your support, we can keep fighting, every day.
Thank you for being here with us. Thank you for your support, your kindness, and for believing in Isabel’s strength as much as we do. We c
