Two children from Perleberg are fighting cancer: This is how you support them!

Two children from Perleberg are fighting cancer: This is how you support them!

In the tranquil town of Perleberg, two families are currently facing an enormous test: their small children are battling malignant cancer. Eleni Anna Junkereit, only one year old, has a tumor in her liver that was discovered when she was just three months old. Surgery was not possible, and yet her health deteriorated dramatically. In August she had to be transferred to the Perleberg Hospital and then to Berlin-Buch, where she is now being treated in the intensive care unit. Her treatment includes chemotherapy and radiation treatment, with new chemotherapy starting this Thursday, September 25th. The family's everyday life has changed significantly. Eleni is not allowed to be around people much to avoid infections, which makes the support of her family even more important because her mother, Christin Junkereit, is responsible for organizing daily life.

The age diversity of the patients is particularly impressive in the children's cancer ward; The youngest child there is only two months old, the oldest is already twelve years old. Among the children affected is four-year-old Lukas Grell, who suffers from a malignant tumor in the abdominal cavity with metastases that have spread. Lukas is being treated at the hospital in Schwerin and will also begin a new course of chemotherapy next Thursday.

Families in need

The challenging circumstances for the families are compounded by additional problems: Lukas' apartment is heavily infested with mold, which is why the family has to temporarily stay with Christin and Eleni. To support the two families during this difficult time, several fundraising events have already been organized. One of them took place at the Brandenburg Day in Perleberg and brought in an impressive 1,973 euros. 2,500 euros were collected for each of the two little fighters. The joy of people's willingness to help is overwhelming, and Christin and Carina Grell, Lukas' mother, are in active exchange about their respective experiences.

A look at childhood cancers

In Germany, around 2,200 children and young people develop cancer every year, which means a risk of less than 0.5% before their 18th birthday. Fortunately, around 80% of young patients can be cured, often with a near-normal life expectancy. The most common cancers in children are blood cancer (leukemia), followed by tumors of the central nervous system and lymphoma. There is a strong need for support when cancer strikes through families. Psychosocial teams consisting of psychologists, social workers and therapists are available to help those affected and promote open communication. Offers such as mentoring programs and online resources for parents are also available to make this time easier for affected families.

For Eleni and Lukas, the current challenges are enormous, but the solidarity of the community and the support from organizations like the German Children's Cancer Foundation show that they are not alone. If you would like to find out more about the wide range of support offers, you can find important information on this page kreb-bei-kindern.de.