We eagerly awaited every prenatal checkup, every ultrasound, every heartbeat, hoping and dreaming for a healthy child.

The excitement of expecting our first baby was indescribable.

I, her mother, held onto the hope that I could protect her for as long as possible inside me, that she would be safe, growing strong in the warmth of my womb. But fate had a different plan.

My precious daughter, Oliwia, arrived far too early—born as an extreme preemie at just 470 grams in the 25th week of pregnancy.

For such a tiny being, everything in the world was a threat. At only 29 centimeters, Oliwia could almost fit into my hand. I had dreamed of carrying her safely until she was strong enough to face life on her own.

But at some point, something disrupted the flow of oxygen and nutrients through the umbilical cord.

Oliwia was no longer receiving enough oxygen and nourishment, and her growth and weight gain stalled.

She was born in moderate distress. Her skin was so thin that I could see her tiny heart beating.

She could not breathe on her own, and immediately she was taken from me and connected to a respirator.

Instead of holding her in my arms, Oliwia was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where the most critical fight of her life began—a fight for survival.

From the very first moment, the doctor candidly told us the harsh truth: our little fairy had almost no chance.

We were told to prepare for the worst. But how do you prepare for the death of a child you have already loved so deeply, a child you have dreamt of for months?

By the 21st day of life, Oliwia’s tiny belly became swollen and purple. By day 23, weighing only 660 grams, she underwent her first surgery to create an ileostomy.

At 77 days old, she was transferred to Poznan to receive medication in both eyes, but the retinopathy did not improve. Upon discharge, she had to return for laser treatment in Poznan.

During her first 147 days in the hospital, Oliwia faced unimaginable struggles. She endured three episodes of sepsis, received 21 blood transfusions, and battled necrotizing enterocolitis, cholestasis, anemia, third-degree retinopathy, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and intraventricular hemorrhages.

Countless times, it felt like we were losing her, yet she stubbornly returned to us each time. Her will to live, combined with our prayers, kept her fighting. We held onto hope with every fiber of our being, believing that our little girl would stay with us.

Eventually, our prayers were answered. Oliwia survived. The battle for her life was won, but the struggle for her health and proper development continues.

Her tiny body requires countless hours of rehabilitation and constant care from numerous specialists.

Her breathing remains delicate; every setback can be dangerous, and her body is still fragile from the extreme prematurity and numerous complications she endured.

Now, after another hospitalization, Oliwia’s condition has worsened yet again. After two weeks of pneumonia treatment, even intravenous medications could not stabilize her.

Despite constant suctioning to remove accumulated phlegm, her oxygen levels dropped dramatically. Her lips and the skin beneath her eyes turned blue.

We were forced to call an ambulance, and once again, she was rushed to the hospital.

Fear, anxiety, and dread have become part of our everyday lives. Every day brings new challenges, new tests, and new treatments.

We face the uncertainty of each moment, knowing that her fragile life depends on immediate and precise care.

Oliwia requires continuous therapy, ongoing rehabilitation, and monitoring from a team of specialized doctors. Every improvement is slow, but each small victory gives us hope and strengthens our resolve.

Despite all the hurdles, our little mouse—Oliwia—remains resilient. She fights to grow stronger, to overcome each obstacle thrown in her path.

The journey ahead is long, and the financial burden of her care continues to grow.

Every therapy session, every medical appointment, and every piece of specialized equipment comes with a significant cost. Without the support of kind-hearted people, providing the care she needs would be impossible.

Oliwia’s story is one of immense courage, an extraordinary will to survive, and a family’s unwavering love.

She has faced challenges that most of us cannot imagine, yet she keeps fighting, and we will not give up on her.

The fight for her health and development continues every day. With your help, we can ensure that Oliwia receives the rehabilitation, medical care, and support she needs to grow, thrive, and have the chance at a better life.

Every donation, no matter how small, helps us give her the chance she deserves. Each contribution brings us one step closer to providing Oliwia with the therapy, attention, and specialized care essential for her future.

We are deeply grateful for every gesture of support and ask for your continued help. Please, join us in fighting for Oliwia’s health and a life full of hope, growth, and love.

— Ewelina, Oliwia’s mother