Dear people, my name is Maya Ivanova, I am 46 years old, mother of two children, divorced. Now adults, they are by my side and give me hope during the past most difficult 15 years.

I suffer from a severe disease of the right limb, diagnosed with osteomyelitis , unfortunately none of the eleven operations I have undergone have proved successful in treating me. What's more, the disease has complicated to the point that I can no longer stand on my leg and the pain is constant. At the beginning of this year , when tests were carried out, it was found that I had a life-threatening infection in my body as a consequence of all the failed interventions so far. In an instant my whole world came crashing down.

After the initial shock and horror at the thought of losing my leg, I am grateful and pray for my family and closest friends who have supported me and restored my faith that there is hope. I have had consultations with a team from Anadolu /Johns Hopkins Medicine/ in Istanbul, Turkey, highly qualified specialists who have the skills and appropriate equipment.

The doctors assured me that there was a chance to get back on my feet and improve my living status after undergoing two consecutive surgeries. Despite the large sum of EUR 23 000, with the help of family and friends, I took out a loan to cover the cost of the first operation in April to remove the infection. The healing process has been extremely slow and difficult, and the second operation is imminent, which involves specific treatment to fully restore the function of my leg.

At this extremely difficult time, I am making my most sincere request to you, for your help and support, to raise the necessary amount. I believe in the good and I have hope. Thank you! Sincerely,