Yulia was born without her right ear. We immediately visited specialists to check her hearing. Diagnostics showed that she could hear with her left ear, but not the right. Doctors did not recommend that she wear a hearing aid. They said that if she can hear with one ear, then her speech will develop too. We were also told that we restore her auditory cavity after the age of 12 using our daughter’s rib cartilage as an implant. It is a painful, multi-stage surgery. Yulia developed with age and began to speak at the age of one. She went to a regular nursery school and elementary school. But because of her poor hearing, our daughter keep asking her teacher to repeat things in class, and she can’t tell where the sound is coming from on the street. I refused to accept the doctors’ prognosis. I searched the internet and learned about a US clinic, where such pathologies are treated within one surgery and with no age limits. When the American doctors were consulting children in Moscow last year, they examined Yulia and said they were ready to operate on her. But we cannot afford the bill. Please, help us!

Svetlana Gogeshvili,
Moscow Region.

California Ear Institute Otolaryngologist Joseph Roberson, M.D. (Palo Alto, California, USA): “Yulia is missing her right auditory passage and auditory cavity. We will perform a restorative surgery for her auditory canal and auditory cavity. Yulia has a good chance to restore her hearing. Following this treatment, the girl will finally be able to live a normal healthy life.”

The cost of Yulia's treatment is $85,000. We are happy to report that Rusfond in Moscow has raised the entire amount needed. However, an additional $9,750 may be required for her and her mother's flights, accommodations, food, local transportation, and other associated expenses for the duration of their stay in the USA.

If you want to help Yulia please don't let the cost stop you. Your donation in any amount will be gratefully accepted. You can contribute to Russian American Children's Foundation using a Credit Card, Apple Pay, PayPal, or by sending a check made payable to:

Russian American Children's Foundation 
420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 300 
New York, NY 10170

Thank you! All donations in excess of what is needed for Yulia will help other children in need of ear surgery. 

12/7/2017
All the funds necessary for Yulia's care have been raised.

Yulia Gogeshvili successfully underwent surgery at the California Ear Institute (East Palo Alto, California, USA). During the complex operation, doctors recreated the girl's right ear canal. Doctors also created an outer ear formed from an artificial material. Yulia will hear and life a normal life without restrictions. Svetlana, Julia's mother, thanks Rusfond and Rusfond USA for their help.

12/21/2017
Svetlana, Yulia Gogeshvili's mother:
"Exactly two weeks have passed since the operation. Today was another appointment with the doctor. Finally, Yulechka has an ear. A little more swollen and with bruises, but it is! The doctor is satisfied with the result, and we are just happy! My gratitude can not be expressed in words, I want to embrace everyone who helped us, worried about Yulyashka. Thank you all very much! This is definitely the best gift in life! Thanks to Rusfond and all the good hearts who responded to make our dream come true!

I send our photo (from left to right): Dr. Reinisch; Dr. Tahiri, his disciple; Yulia's dad Dmitry; I and Dr. Reinisch's assistant. And well yes, of course, the most important person is on the throne!"