WARMEST THANKS! - June 5, 2008

The EuropeanCourier.org warmly thanks all donors, companies and organizations, which donated money for Frank’s heart surgery. Frank, who will be one in September, returned home this week from Munich and will be awaiting his second life-saving surgery, which is to take place next year.

FIRST GOAL ACHIEVED! - May 25, 2008

It is our pleasure to announce that Frank’s parents have raised 20K euros for his first surgery, which is to take place on May 29 in Munich, Germany. Stay tuned for our report after Frank’s surgery!

FAMOUS SPORTS GEAR AUCTIONED WITH PROFIT

TO BE DONATED TO FRANK - April 27, 2008

Polish Olympic Judo Team undertook endeavor to help raise money for

Frank’s treatment. On this special occasion all female and male members

of the team, who are going to participate in the Olympic Games in Beijing

this year, autographed a kimono, which is being auctioned here. All profit

is to be donated to Frank’s treatment.

In the meantime, the European Courier has been contacted by the biggest Polish TV station - “TVN”, which is going to broadcast a short promotional material about Frank’s health struggles and the campaign to raise money for the surgeries he needs.

“BEAT FOR THE HEART” - HIP-HOP SINGERS

UNITE TO SAVE FRANK’S LIFE - April 16, 2008

Polish hip-hop singers join forces to help save Frank’s life. A

special charitable concert is going to be organized in Warsaw, Poland,

on April 27 at “The Fresh” Club, a popular Warsaw’s lounge. Among

the performing groups is Peja Slums Attack, whose lead singer, Peja,

is a former judo player. See their video here.

FRANK THE “LION HEART” - March 29, 2008

We all aspire that our hopes and dreams can some day come true. That was the case for Dorota and Krzysztof Wilkomirski, when they awaited their first child to be born in September last year. Dorota is an attractive, well educated teacher who has been helping other parents raise their children. Krzysztof

is a decorated world class judo athlete, who will compete for the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, this summer.

Their happiness, however, was seriously disturbed when

their son, Frank, was born with a very rare heart condition:

one-ventricle heart with pulmonary trunk atresia, a single atrioventricular valve and absent proximal part in both pulmonary arteries. The fight to save Frank’s life started since day one. His body could not perform basic functions by itself and he was connected to a computer device supporting his life. Two cardiac surgeries were performed immediately.

As it sometimes happens during a cardiac surgery, a phrenic nerve was injuredand Frank’s respiration process stopped. A follow up surgery was needed. Nevertheless, Frank remained unable to breathe by himself for many weeks afterwards and a special inhalation tube was keeping him alive. Doctors tried, four times, to stop artificial respiration and initialize natural breathing, but all their attempts failed. Dorota and Krzysztof were told by the doctors that their son will not make it and that there is no hope for his survival. And when their whole world was about to collapse, Frank took out the inhalation tube out of his mouth by himself and started breathing naturally. It was the first time in their life, Dorota and Krzysztof witnessed a miracle. However the fight wasn’t over yet.

Frank’s body, weakened by three surgeries, got infected by sepsis, staphylococci and rotaviruses. He also suffered from inflamation of the lungs. It proved too much for his body

system and his heart refused to beat. Frank was pronounced clinically dead twice. And twice he came back to life after successful resuscitation. His eyes opened, full of hope and a message that he is not going to give up. Not this time. People cried. They could not believe how tough this little guy is.

Do you think it is the end of the story? Oh, unfortunately not. Frank’s swallowing reflex disappeared after months of artificial nutrition and treatment by antibiotics and medications. To provide solid food for his stomach a tube was inserted through the abdominal integument, what caused an intestinal perforation and another urgent surgery was needed. Frank was rushed into the surgery room at the last minute.

Do you think that five surgeries is enough for a 6 months old baby? Not exactly.

Frank is now at home, under direct supervision of doctors and therapy specialists. Two more surgeries are required in order

to keep Frank alive. They have to be done as soon as possible.

Those surgeries are to be performed at a cardiac clinic in

Munich, Germany, and like all other kind of surgeries are expensive. Dorota and Krzysztof, as well as their families,

had to pay for all of Frank’s surgeries and rehabilitation.

Their funds have been depleted.

We are here to help them raise money for the next two surgeries. If Frank was able to beat death twice, we will do our best to raise money for him. Yes, we can! And we will witness another miracle of people with good will united to save this child.

Hope transcends borders and is contagious. Please join our campaign today, donate money and spread the word.

To donate funds go to FranekWilkomirski.pl

You can also download or link to the movie promoting our campaign by visiting this website or here.

  Iris Feliciano

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ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE, WHO JOINED OUR CAMPAIGN

A world-wide social and movie-sharing network.  

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GLOBAL MEDICAL RELIEF FUND

A charity fund, which saved lives of tens of children around the globe.

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MR. MUHAMED SACIRBEY

Former Foreign Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina, whose diplomatic service saved tens of thousands of

innocent lives and helped to end war in the Balkans in 1995.

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Diamond District fine jewelry company.

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A company of Mr. Parnel Legros, a former judo Olympian.

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MR. TARAJE WILLIAMS-MURRAY

A premier U.S. judo athlete, a former Olympian from Athens.