Hello, dear people, my name is Stanislav Grozdev, 29 years old from Sofia, I have a lovely family, a wife and a 2 year old son.

October 2023 I came to Tokuda with complaints of knee pain. After a bunch of tests they diagnosed me with Burkitt's Lymphoma, they explained that it is the most aggressive subtype of lymphoma and is considered the fastest growing or most aggressive type of cancer.

At that moment my whole world turned 360 degrees. I was transferred from Tokuda to the Hematology Department in Dravenitsa to start treatment immediately. They took my bone marrow, did a bunch of blood tests again and assured me that they had the experience and knowledge to help me. After a few days the most aggressive chemotherapy treatments were started, a few months later I have now had 3 chemotherapy treatments, each followed by lumbar punctures and 14 radiotherapy treatments to the head. I was told that my bone marrow had gone into remission and my CSF into partial remission. Then the sun shone in front of me and I saw a light in the tunnel, yes but no, a few weeks later (8.03) I had a backache, I immediately went to the Hematology and my doctor assured me that these pains were not from the disease and referred me to a neurologist in Pirogov, there I was examined and admitted with suspected neurological problem, they took my blood, everything was fine, they did a scan of my head and spine and there it was fine, we asked them to do an MRI (paid) but they refused and said that we do not decide. Three days later they discharged me with the excuse that I was fine and would pass.

The next day the pain in my lower back was so bad it was going down to my legs and I started to fall when I had to climb stairs, I was admitted to Pirogov again and within a few days I ended up completely immobilised from the waist down. All the doctors raised their hands and gave me painkillers until Friday (15.03) when they finally decided to do an MRI. The next day the final results were that the disease had settled in my spine and affected the nerve endings from the waist down. On 18.03 we arranged a transfer by private ambulance to Haematology. I waited on painkillers again for two days until they formed a committee and finally said that my treatment should be continued abroad because they have limited resources, knowledge and medicines in Bulgaria.

I sincerely ask you to open your hearts and everyone to help as much as they can so I can continue my fight for life!