Shakir Yagubov is just 10 years old — an age when most children live carefree lives, filled with school, friends, play, and dreams for the future. But Shakir’s life has been anything but ordinary. From the very beginning, he has faced battles that would test the hearts and minds of adults, yet he has faced them with courage, sensitivity, and an indomitable spirit that inspires everyone around him.
Three years ago, in 2022, Shakir’s parents received devastating news: their son had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Suddenly, the world they knew collapsed. Shakir began losing strength, bruises appeared across his body, fevers came and went, and the bright, energetic boy they knew was replaced by a child fighting for every breath, every heartbeat. Their lives became consumed by hospital visits, treatments, and the relentless uncertainty that accompanies a child’s cancer diagnosis.
For two long years, Shakir underwent intensive treatment — endless intravenous therapies, punctures, chemotherapy sessions, painkillers, sleepless nights, and constant fear. Each day was a struggle, a battle against pain and the unrelenting grasp of illness. The financial cost was overwhelming; the family spent approximately $20,000 — money they did not have. They sold everything, borrowed what they could, and sought help wherever possible — all in the hope of saving their son’s life.
When remission finally arrived, relief washed over the family. For a brief moment, they dared to hope, to dream again, to believe that their son could live the childhood they had imagined. But the reprieve was heartbreakingly short. Seven months later, Shakir’s leukemia returned. The news struck like a thunderbolt: tests confirmed the recurrence, plunging the family into despair, shock, and renewed fear.
Once again, Shakir must face grueling chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant — his only chance for survival. Without this treatment, his life is at risk. The cost, however, is beyond anything his family can manage: over $80,000 for the surgery and continued care. Having already given everything they had, they are now in a desperate situation, relying on the compassion and generosity of others to give their son another chance.
Shakir’s perspective is both heartbreaking and inspiring. “I’m 11 years old. I haven’t been going to school for a long time because I’m in the hospital. I’m here because I’m fighting leukemia. I thought the nightmare was over, but the disease has returned. It’s very, very hard for me… For me, home now means a hospital, IVs, and a bed. My parents sold everything they had to save me. Every day I see their tears, and my heart breaks because I know it’s my fault. I want to be healthy and not be afraid of another day. I want to go home, to my real home, and to school. I want Mom and Dad to be happy again.”
Despite everything, Shakir’s gratitude, kindness, and bravery shine through. Every gesture of support, every kind word, and every donation is meaningful to him. He appreciates life in its smallest moments — a smile, a hug, a moment of normalcy in the hospital — and he cherishes the hope that comes from those who care enough to help.
For his parents, seeing Shakir endure so much pain while maintaining his strength and courage is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. They watch as he dreams of the ordinary life that so many take for granted: playing with friends, attending school, and simply being a child. They see the resilience in his eyes, the hope in his smile, and the love that he has for life despite everything he has endured.
Now, they reach out to the world with a plea: to save their son, to give him the treatment he desperately needs, and to allow him the chance to live fully. Every donation, every message of support, and every act of kindness brings Shakir closer to survival.
Shakir’s story is a reminder of the fragility of life, the extraordinary courage of children, and the incredible strength of families fighting against all odds. With early, continued intervention, love, and support, miracles are possible. Shakir is not just a patient — he is a fighter, a brave soul who deserves a childhood filled with laughter, joy, and hope. 💙
Together, we can help make his dream come true: a return to health, a return to home, and a return to life as a child.
