A Mother's Fight: Mikołaj’s Battle for a Healthy Future
The day our son Mikołaj was born should have been one of the happiest of our lives, but it quickly turned into the beginning of an unimaginable battle for his life. When he arrived, we learned that his kidneys were abnormally large and covered in cysts, leaving us filled with terror and uncertainty. From that moment, it became clear that our fight for Mikołaj’s future had only just begun.
Mikołaj’s early days were filled with hospital visits, tests, and procedures. The first two months of his life were spent in the hospital, fighting for his survival. The constant worry and fear weighed heavily on us, but we found some relief when Mikołaj’s condition finally stabilized, allowing us to bring him home. That moment, when Mikołaj met his older brother Dawid, was one of joy, one of the happiest memories we could have hoped for. We had dreamed of this moment, and tears of happiness flowed as we saw our two children together for the first time. But as often happens in our story, this fleeting happiness did not last long.
Just a week later, new complications arose. Mikołaj’s health began to deteriorate again, and I found myself rushing him back to the hospital in fear. We tried to stay strong, but when the doctors informed us that his condition was worsening, our hearts sank. Initially, we believed the issue was related to his kidneys, but after further investigation, the doctors discovered that it wasn’t his kidneys at all—it was sepsis. This life-threatening condition had spread throughout Mikołaj’s body, putting his life at even greater risk.
The world around us seemed to collapse. Our precious boy, who had fought so hard to survive, was now facing another battle, one that felt impossible. Mikołaj was placed on a ventilator, and we found ourselves once again in a fight for his future. The sound of the machines, the beeping and the whirring of life-support equipment, was constant, and it seemed like the noise filled every corner of our minds. It felt as though we were living in a nightmare, just waiting for something, anything, to change for the better.
Doctors acted quickly, changing his medications, administering dialysis, and monitoring his vital signs closely. Every second felt like a lifetime, as we sat by his side, praying for his strength. We kept hoping and praying that somehow, our little warrior would pull through, that he would rise above this challenge as he had done with so many others. But, as time passed, the reality of his condition began to settle in. We knew that the fight was far from over, but we remained resolute in our determination to get Mikołaj the care he needed.
Mikołaj's battle is ongoing, and as parents, we refuse to give up. His condition has improved, but we know that we are far from out of the woods. Our dream is simple—to see him stable, to see him thriving, and to see him free from the pain and fear that has ruled his life for so long. Yet, even as we continue this fight, there is a constant reminder of the costs involved. The numerous specialist visits, ongoing treatments, and medical check-ups have come with a financial burden that feels insurmountable.
We are doing everything we can to support Mikołaj, to give him the best possible chance at a healthy future. But the costs of his treatment are overwhelming. We are doing our best to cover his medical needs, but the expenses are mounting. The road to recovery is not easy, and we are finding it harder and harder to keep up with the financial demands. That is why we are reaching out for help.
Today, we are asking for your support, your generosity, and your kindness. Mikołaj needs intensive medical care, ongoing rehabilitation, and treatment to recover fully. We want nothing more than to see him grow up without the burden of illness and pain. We dream of a life where Mikołaj can play, run, and experience the world like any other child. But we cannot do it alone.
Please, help us make this dream a reality. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a difference. Your support will go directly toward Mikołaj’s medical care and rehabilitation, helping us cover the costs of ongoing treatments, medications, and specialist visits. We are asking for your help so that Mikołaj can have a brighter future—one where he is not weighed down by illness and pain, but instead can enjoy a healthy, happy life.
We know that the road ahead is long and filled with uncertainty, but we will continue to fight for Mikołaj with everything we have. We are not ready to give up on him, and we know that with your support, we can give him the fighting chance he deserves. Please join us in our mission to save Mikołaj’s life. With your help, we can give him the future he deserves.
Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your support. Your help means everything to us, and it will mean the world to Mikołaj. Together, we can help our little warrior rise above the challenges he faces and give him the future he deserves.
Lily Strong: A 10-Year-Old’s Fight Against Brain Cancer Inspires a Community
At just 10 years old, Lily Manning has found herself in a battle no child should ever have to fight. Only three months ago, she was an energetic girl who filled her days with ballet, sewing projects, and baking with her family. Today, she is facing the hardest chapter of her young life—an aggressive brain tumor that has forced her and her family to cling to faith, courage, and community.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
In June, Stephen and Samantha Manning sat in a doctor’s office and received news that shattered their world. Their daughter, their bright and spirited Lily, had been diagnosed with
Since then, life has been a whirlwind of hospital rooms and hard truths. In just a few short weeks, Lily underwent
Despite the crushing reality, Lily has met every challenge with resilience well beyond her years. She has prayed, fought, and faced each procedure with the bravery of someone who refuses to give up.
Clinging to Hope
Now, the focus has turned to chemotherapy—her best chance at shrinking the tumor. October 15th has become a date etched in the Manning family’s hearts, the day they will learn if the treatment is working. Until then, Lily holds tight to hope and faith, believing that better news is coming.
Her family, friends, and neighbors hold tight with her.
A Town That Rallies
In Kimberly, Alabama, Lily is not fighting alone. Her classmates, teachers, police officers, and neighbors have all rallied around her. “Lily Strong” has become more than just a slogan—it is a movement of love and support. Shirts and stickers bearing the phrase have spread throughout the community, reminding Lily that her fight is everyone’s fight.
It is rare for a small town to go a day without hearing her name, seeing her smile, or feeling the weight of her struggle. Yet it is also rare to witness the outpouring of support that has lifted this family up when they needed it most.
Faith as Her Foundation
Through it all, Lily leans on her favorite Bible verse, Joshua 1:9:
“Be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or dismayed, because the Lord is with you wherever you go.”
These words have become her shield. They are written not only in her heart but also on the lips of those who pray for her daily. Every time her parents tuck her into bed, every time her friends clasp their hands in prayer, those words echo back, offering strength in moments of weakness.
A Child With Dreams
Behind the diagnosis and the medical jargon, Lily is still a little girl. She dreams of twirling in her ballet shoes again. She dreams of sewing projects, of flour-dusted kitchens, of laughter with her family and friends. She dreams of life—not just survival.
Her battle with brain cancer is only part of her story. The bigger part is yet to be written: the one where she overcomes, where she grows, where she continues to live out the passions that make her who she is.
A Community’s Prayer
Kimberly has seen its share of challenges, but none more personal than this. For those who know Lily, she is not just a child fighting cancer—she is a symbol of strength, a reminder of what it means to stand together in the face of uncertainty.
As October 15th approaches, prayers will continue to rise. Shirts will be worn. Stickers will be seen on cars and windows. And Lily Manning will remain at the center of it all—ten years old, brave beyond measure, clinging to faith, and teaching everyone around her what it means to live courageously.
She has dancing to do.
She has sewing to finish.
She has baking to share.
And above all, Lily Manning has a lot of living left to do.
