A child's fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Fundraising goal $2.9 million

Help Ihor Protect His Strength

Ihor Zaluzhnyi is a 3-year-old child from Ukraine living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare and progressive genetic disease that weakens the muscles over time. Ihor's family is pursuing Elevidys gene therapy at Fakeeh University Hospital in Dubai.

For the latest fundraising total and current campaign updates, please visit the family's official campaign page.

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Shared by Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Clifton, New Jersey. The Cathedral calls on all compassionate people to help Ihor. The Cathedral publishes this appeal but does not collect, process, manage, or distribute donations.
Ігор Залужний усміхається
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Meet Ihor

A childhood that should be filled with movement and discovery

Ihor was born on October 22, 2022. Ihor's family describes a bright and kind child who wants the same things every young child wants: to play, attend kindergarten, explore, and grow alongside other children.

Instead, ordinary activity can bring rapid fatigue. Duchenne muscular dystrophy gradually damages muscle function. Ihor can become tired after walking and may need to stop and rest while other children continue playing.

For Ihor's family, every day matters. The family is working to preserve as much of Ihor's strength and independence as possible while pursuing specialized treatment.

Please become part of Ihor's fight. Help give our child a chance to keep moving, playing, and growing.

Why time matters

Understanding Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, often called DMD, is a progressive genetic neuromuscular disease. DMD causes increasing muscle weakness and can eventually affect mobility, breathing, and heart function.

1

Progressive

Duchenne muscular dystrophy worsens over time. Preserving physical function is an important goal of specialist care.

2

Rare and serious

DMD requires long-term multidisciplinary medical monitoring, rehabilitation, and support.

3

Treatment is specialized

Eligibility, timing, expected benefits, and risks of gene therapy must be determined by qualified medical specialists.

The treatment being pursued

Elevidys gene therapy in Dubai

Ihor's family sought medical evaluation for Elevidys, also known as delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl, at Fakeeh University Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

A hospital letter dated June 3, 2025 states that the genetic records reviewed by the hospital confirm Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The letter also reports a negative anti-AAVRh74 antibody result and describes Ihor as clinically suitable for Elevidys once the required treatment age is reached, subject to medical reassessment.

An Athena Diagnostics laboratory report shows the anti-AAVRh74 antibody result as "Not Elevated", with a technical result of <1:400.

A pro forma invoice from Fakeeh University Hospital, dated March 6, 2025, lists an estimated treatment package cost of AED 10,643,000, with an approximate reference price of US $2.9 million.

According to the estimate, the proposed package includes the Elevidys infusion and related multidisciplinary consultations, medical monitoring, blood investigations, selected medications, physiotherapy, and hospital services, subject to the hospital's terms and conditions.

Important medical information: Gene therapy is not presented on this page as a guaranteed cure. Ihor's final eligibility, treatment timing, expected benefit, and medical risks must be determined by the responsible medical specialists using current clinical information.

A message from Ihor's family

Please watch and share

A personal message from Ihor's family can help visitors understand why this treatment is so important and why every donation and every shared link matters.

Medical documentation

Records supporting Ihor's appeal

The following medical records support the diagnosis, proposed treatment plan, laboratory result, and estimated treatment cost. Medical interpretation remains the responsibility of Ihor's treating clinicians.

Тестування на сумісність 1

Hospital acceptance letter

Fakeeh University Hospital letter dated June 3, 2025. The letter confirms the reviewed DMD diagnosis and discusses clinical suitability for Elevidys after the required treatment age is reached.

Estimated treatment cost

Fakeeh University Hospital pro forma invoice dated March 6, 2025. The estimated package is AED 10,643,000, approximately US $2.9 million.

Тестування на сумісність 1

AAVRh74 antibody report

The Athena Diagnostics report shows "Not Elevated" and a technical result of <1:400. The result must be interpreted by the responsible medical specialists.

Follow and verify

Visit the family's official campaign page for current updates, photographs, news, and the latest fundraising information.

Official family campaign website Official Facebook page
Siepomaga campaign page



News report about Ihor's story STB television report
ITV report about Ihor

You do not have to give millions to help make a $2.9 million goal possible

When many people give what they can and share one child's story, an impossible burden can become a shared act of compassion. Please help Ihor protect the strength Ihor has today and support the family's pursuit of specialized treatment.

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Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Clifton, New Jersey, publishes this appeal and calls on all compassionate people to help. The Cathedral is not the fundraiser, does not process donations, and does not manage or distribute campaign funds. External platforms and financial institutions apply their own terms, fees, privacy policies, and verification procedures. No representation is made that a donation is tax-deductible in the United States.

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