Pain. Dull, not sharp. He does not want to eat. At all. Food disgusts him. He is rapidly losing weight, strength, and the desire to do anything.
“What is happening to me?” he wonders, and starts doing the things that used to help: resting, sleeping, playing with his children, going fishing.
“Maybe it’s my age,” he thinks. “Maybe it will pass? Maybe I just need to endure it? Or should I finally see a doctor?”
The pain comes more often and stays longer.
“Just go away already. Go away, you dull pain…”
At some point, he realizes that this is neither fatigue nor depression. Neither painkillers nor thyme tea help. So he goes to a doctor. Then another. That is how he learns that he has stomach cancer. Urgent action is needed, otherwise…
This story is not fictional. It is about a real person—Mikhail Sandikov from the village of Ayanist. His story is simple, relatable, and deeply moving.
Mikhail was born and raised in Yerevan. He trained as a builder, got married, and moved to a village. His first child was born, then his second… For as long as he can remember, he has always worked—as a builder and a driver—doing whatever it took to provide for his family. Fishing was what he did for the soul.
He was content with his life until it came—that very Pain which now, like a member of the family, sits at the table with him, lies beside him in bed, breathes next to him, and dictates how he should live and what he should do.
Mikhail can no longer work as he once did, but he continues to accompany his brother to work and help him. The family needs to be supported, and the children still have so much growing up to do. And now there is the treatment. Expensive treatment. The family does not have that kind of money and is unlikely to obtain it unless we help. But who will help?
Mikhail is not used to asking for help. He does not have social media pages with thousands of followers. He will not start a fundraiser by saying, “Friends, I am in trouble. Please help.” He will not call his friends or tell his neighbors. He will continue doing what he has always done—going to work with his brother for as long as he still can…
A dead end? No!
We are doing it for him.
We are asking everyone: friends, please help. Do not remain indifferent!
The amount required for his treatment is 2,480,000 AMD. The treatment has already begun, and it must continue at all costs. Do you hear us? At all costs! Otherwise…
And there will be no “otherwise” as long as your hearts respond. You can help with any amount and in any way. Every little contribution matters. And we will say “Thank you” to each and every one of you.
But it is not only about our gratitude. We believe that every good deed will be heard and every kind impulse will be acknowledged somewhere up above.
When you help others, you always help yourself as well—especially when you help people like Mikhail. They are the ones who need our help most: ordinary, hardworking, quiet people who would never ask for it themselves.
You can make a donation in any currency at https://viva.foundation/donate/ or by using the payment details provided in the description.
Thank you for helping!
