In less than 48 hours, citizens of Serbia, Republika Srpska, and the Serbian diaspora raised more than €250,000 for the treatment of seven-year-old Sofija Stikić from Batajnica.
The good news was announced to the public by her father, priest and parish priest of the Church of St. John of Shanghai in Batajnica, Marinko Stikić.
“Our God is alive, and the soul of our people is alive! Our Sofija will live as well, God willing! Dear brothers and sisters, I would like to inform the entire public that more than €250,000 has been raised for our Sofija’s treatment in less than 48 hours. Although it is only now, with this financial problem resolved, that the crucial battle – the battle for life – truly begins, I want, as a father, on my own behalf and on behalf of my family, to thank everyone,” Father Marinko said, expressing his gratitude to all the kind-hearted people who helped give Sofija a chance to live.
“To the girls and boys, all of Sofija’s friends, who sold lemonade and doughnuts, washed windshields, and helped Sofija’s treatment in many other ways; to all companies, entrepreneurs, and kind people who organized countless humanitarian campaigns; to artists, athletes, actors, and all public figures for their support; to my brother priests, hieromonks, and their holy communities for every tearful prayer and every act of financial assistance; to our brothers and sisters from Republika Srpska and our diaspora; to my Batajnica; my Belgrade; my Šid; my Priboj; my Rudo; my Derventa; my Bajina Bašta; every town where the spirit and soul of our people live; my parishioners; all good people; Andrija (Milija) Knežević. Thank you! Thank you! And countless times – thank you all!”
As a reminder, Sofija has been diagnosed with malignant lymphoma (C84.5 Lymphomata T-cellularum alia et non specificata), with the presence of an expansive tumor mass in the anterior mediastinum.
The disease was discovered in 2021 after diagnostic tests were performed due to respiratory problems. Following the examinations, the presence of the tumor was confirmed, and treatment began with chemotherapy according to the oncology protocol.
During 2024, partial remission was achieved, but in 2026 a recurrence of the disease (Recidivus morbi) was confirmed.
Sofija remains under constant supervision by specialist doctors, and her treatment is being carried out in accordance with oncology protocols. A stem cell transplant at a specialized clinic abroad is planned.
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Source: Blic, Foto: Budi human