My name is Valeriy Ivanov. I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. My niece Maria is only 26 years old. In November 2013 Maria was diagnosed with femoral head necrosis. Since then she has been on very rare antibiotics. The diagnosis will result in her leg being amputated unless she has surgery to replace her hip in October 2014. She has a 5 year-old son named Sergiy and doesn't have the support of a husband. The long treatment in the hospital has drained her parents’ savings. Three of them are living in a single room they rent in Kiev. Viktoria, Maria's older sister, took in little Sergiy to raise with her other two children. Due to the current civil war in the Ukraine Maria's parents have been denied a bank loan for the surgery. Without health insurance in the Ukraine they really need your help. Unfortunately many people are currently in need but are unable to receive the help they deserve.For this reason Maria and her family began looking for help beyond their country's borders. Even a little financial help will be appreciated. If you cannot help with money, please relay this message to someone who will be able to contribute towards this surgery. Every dollar will be used for treatment, and should there be funds left over, it will be donated to the children's hospital in Kiev.