Hodgkin's lymphoma❗15-year-old Oliwia has started treatment❗

A lump on the neck

In early March, Oliwia felt a lump on her neck near her lymph nodes. This discovery immediately caused concern, so a few days later , she and her mom went to see their family doctor.

The doctor didn’t want to wait. That very same day, she referred the girl to the hospital in Krapkowice, where diagnostic tests began. Every day brought new questions, but the answers remained unclear. Hope intertwined with fear, time slowed down, and the worst was yet to come. On March 16, a biopsy was performed. While waiting for the results, Oliwia was also referred for endocrinological tests in Opole. On March 23, she returned to Przylądek Nadziei with her mom. That day, the diagnosis was made. Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Loneliness

Chemotherapy began four days later. This is the first of six scheduled treatment cycles. The treatment is demanding, and her body is reacting with weakness and a decline in her well-being. The girl will spend the next few weeks in the hospital.

The hardest part, however, is the silence and the distance from everything that was so obvious just a short time ago. Oliwia is in the hospital, 100 km from home. She is far from her family, her friends, and her beloved daily life.

The power of family

Her mother didn't hesitate to quit her job so she could be with her daughter every day. Her father took over the responsibility of supporting the family and is trying to balance work with caring for his family.

Alongside them are Oliwia’s older siblings. They write to her, call her, and comfort her. Sometimes they make her laugh, and other times they just listen. They’re very supportive of their younger sister. The family sticks together.

Volunteering

Until recently, it was Oliwia who was there to support others. As a volunteer, she was dedicated to helping people with disabilities. She knew how to listen and recognize the needs of those who are often overlooked.

Later, she would return home, where her parents and her beloved dogs were waiting for her. They were always just as happy as ever, as if her return were the highlight of their day. When she was alone, she would pick up a pencil or a paintbrush. She loved to pour her emotions onto paper. That was her life—filled with care for others, small joys, and moments that mattered.

Help is needed

A child’s cancer treatment is a huge challenge—not only medically, but also logistically and financially.
Oliwia’s family has to travel over 100 kilometers to reach the hospital. Every trip brings additional costs and requires a tremendous effort. Today, her loved ones are filled with many questions about the future.
This is a natural fear that accompanies every family facing a child’s illness.
That is why they are asking for support—help that will allow them to get through this difficult time with a greater sense of security.