Please join us in praying for little Timoshka, who is suffering from cancer.

In 2018, a young Ukrainian boy named Timosha (Timofey) Sanko was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of blood cancer. What followed was a long and difficult fight that lasted about 20 months. His family began treatment in Ukraine, continued it in Belarus, and eventually sought care at a leading clinic in Italy in the hope of giving him the best possible chance.

Like many children undergoing intensive chemotherapy, Timosha lost his hair and spent extended periods in hospital. The photos shared of him capture both the hard moments of fear, pain, and medical procedures and the brighter ones—smiles, moments of connection with his mother, and small signs of childhood still shining through. His parents, Yuriy and Yuliia Sanko, stayed by his side throughout the journey.

In August 2019, Timosha passed away. The experience of receiving high-quality, compassionate care in Italy left a lasting impression on his family. Out of their grief, a dream was born: to create better conditions for other children fighting cancer in Ukraine.

On what would have been Timosha’s birthday in February 2020, his parents publicly shared their plan to build the first Christian pediatric oncology center in Ukraine dedicated to research and treatment of childhood leukemia. They founded the charitable organization “Timosha’s Smile” in his memory. The foundation has since focused on supporting families, providing emotional and spiritual care, and—especially after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine—evacuating more than 100 children with cancer and their families to Italy for free treatment in partner clinics.

The call to pray for “little Timoshka” echoes both the memory of this one boy and the ongoing struggles of many other children facing similar diagnoses. Cancer treatment in young patients is physically and emotionally demanding, requiring strength from the child, unwavering support from parents, and often international medical help.

Timosha’s story is one of both loss and enduring impact. Through the work begun in his name, his smile continues to bring practical help and hope to other families. Those who wish to support the cause can learn more through the “Timosha’s Smile” foundation, while many continue to lift these children and their parents in prayer.

Sources

• Official history and mission statements from the Timosha’s Smile / Усмішка Тимоші foundation website.
• Accounts of Timosha Sanko’s diagnosis, treatment journey (Ukraine, Belarus, Italy), and passing in 2019, as shared by his parents Yuriy and Yuliia Sanko.
• Reports on the foundation’s evacuation efforts for Ukrainian children with cancer and its long-term goal of building a pediatric oncology clinic.