Hospital visit a happy one for Anya and staff

The Chernobyl Children's Project, which arranged for her travel to Ireland, and the Oak Unit special leukaemia ward at the National Children's Hospital who treated the girl, have expressed delight at her recovery.

In 1998, Anya Deripapa was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, the most toxic form of leukaemia.

Unable to secure the treatment required in her own country, Anya's parents made a desperate international plea for help in an attempt to save the then two-year-old's life.

The call was taken up by the Project, which funded Anya's trip to Ireland, and the Tallaght hospital, where she received her life-saving treatment.

"We decided when we received the call that Anya would have to be brought to Ireland if she was to survive," Project director Adi Roche said.

"The unconditional offer of help from the National Children's Hospital was crucial in ensuring Anya received the best care possible."

Arriving in the autumn of 1998, Anya began intensive chemotherapy at Tallaght.

Following the initial treatments, her condition began to improve as she went into remission.

Yesterday, four years after she was given little hope of survival, she returned to Tallaght for a check-up as a healthy and energetic six-year-old.

Consultant Owen Smith was delighted with her dramatic improvement.

Dr Smith said that Anya had every reason to look forward to a full and healthy life.

"Anya's recovery from a life-threatening illness has been successful," he said.

"Her treatment has been difficult, but there is little doubt that the treatment she has received in Tallaght for AML has saved her life.

"It is very encouraging for everyone who has cared for her to see the transformation that has taken place since she first arrived here in 1998.

"Then, she was a very sick toddler, now she is a healthy, beautiful six-year-old child." Hospital visit a happy one for Anya and staff

Sean O'Riordan

A six-year-old Ukrainian girl, who four years ago was given little chance of surviving a severe form of leukaemia, has returned to Ireland where she received special treatment that led to her amazing recovery.

The Chernobyl Children's Project, which arranged for her travel to Ireland, and the Oak Unit special leukaemia ward at the National Children's Hospital who treated the girl, have expressed delight at her recovery.

In 1998, Anya Deripapa was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, the most toxic form of leukaemia.

Unable to secure the treatment required in her own country, Anya's parents made a desperate international plea for help in an attempt to save the then two-year-old's life.

The call was taken up by the Project, which funded Anya's trip to Ireland, and the Tallaght hospital, where she received her life-saving treatment.

"We decided when we received the call that Anya would have to be brought to Ireland if she was to survive," Project director Adi Roche said.

"The unconditional offer of help from the National Children's Hospital was crucial in ensuring Anya received the best care possible."

Arriving in the autumn of 1998, Anya began intensive chemotherapy at Tallaght.

Following the initial treatments, her condition began to improve as she went into remission.

Yesterday, four years after she was given little hope of survival, she returned to Tallaght for a check-up as a healthy and energetic six-year-old.

Consultant Owen Smith was delighted with her dramatic improvement.

Dr Smith said that Anya had every reason to look forward to a full and healthy life.

"Anya's recovery from a life-threatening illness has been successful," he said.

"Her treatment has been difficult, but there is little doubt that the treatment she has received in Tallaght for AML has saved her life.

"It is very encouraging for everyone who has cared for her to see the transformation that has taken place since she first arrived here in 1998.

"Then, she was a very sick toddler, now she is a healthy, beautiful six-year-old child.