Oleg’s Blood Cancer Battle

My father, Oleg Glushkov, started experiencing pain in his left thigh in the spring of 2013. As the pain grew, he had an MRI scan that showed a bone lesion. After a biopsy and extensive blood tests, our greatest fears came true, my father was diagnosed with an incurable cancer.

While there is no cure for Multiple Myeloma, it is manageable with radiation and chemotherapy, which most of you know is a long and painful process. The only chance at recovery is a stem cell transplant.

My father already underwent radiation therapy and went into remission which sadly lasted only a year and the cancer returned. He then began chemotherapy with Velcade injections. The chemotherapy had good results but left my father with severe peripheral neuropathy in his feet and lower legs, which later became permanent. My father is no longer able to work and can barely walk, and is in terrible pain all the time.

In addition to the cancer, the financial hardships that have hit our family have been enormous. My fathers inability to work resulted in huge amounts of debt, mainly incurred by the high cost of chemo drugs.

In autumn 2015, my father's plasma cell levels started to rapidly increase meaning that he needed a second line of chemotherapy, in order to bring down the cancer cells to a level suitable enough to have an autologous stem cell transplant. Fortunately, being in Cyprus, the transplant, which normally costs around €150 000 – €200 000 Euros, is free for everybody, guaranteed by the local Ministry of Health.

However, before the transplant my father needs to finish at least 9 to 12 months of chemotherapy with the drug Revlimid. He’s already completed 3 months of the treatment, but, unfortunately, this completely wiped out the family finances and there are no more funds to continue with the therapy.

A monthly supply of Revlimid tablets costs an insane €6000 Euros, so as you can imagine the amount needed to finish the therapy before proceeding with the transplant is around €36,000 – €54,000 Euros...

My father has enjoyed tremendous business success in his career and has helped a great number of people along the way. Ironically, an unexpected turn of events, including the economic meltdown triggered by the financial crash of 2008, have left our family in the most vulnerable financial state, at a time when we were most in need.

It is incredibly painful and difficult for me to ask for your help, but we are reaching out to anyone who can help, as time is of the essence. For those who are in a position to offer any amount of financial help, we are so very grateful.

Anybody who has ever known me, even for a little bit, definitely heard me speak about my father. He is the reason for all my goals and dreams, and the pillar behind all my greatest achievements. He has reached inspiring successes in life and is an incredible father to me and my 11 year old brother, Anton.

We thank you for taking the time to read about Oleg’s journey and ask that you please pray for my family; my mother Elena, my brother Anton and my father and I.

Any help, as well as thoughts and prayers are truly appreciated.