My name is Aleksey Romanov. I was born in Gomel and for a long time I was an activist supporting democratic changes in Belarus. But the last few years have become a real test of survival for me.
A few months ago I was diagnosed with a terrible disease — oncology. I underwent the most difficult surgery, during which the doctors removed the organs affected by metastases: spleen, middle part of the stomach, three quarters of the pancreas and 16 cm of the intestine. I survived, although statistics say that only two in ten survive. But the disease changed my life forever and I became disabled.
Despite my health, in 2020 I was convicted for “insulting Lukashenko” and sent to a colony. There my health deteriorated dramatically. I suffered several bouts of pancreatitis and was diagnosed with two new tumors that could only be removed in 2024. It was a frightening experience, but even after my release, my ordeal did not end.
I continued to be pressured. I was placed in a temporary detention center three times, repeatedly fined, summoned for interrogations in the Investigative Committee in Minsk and Gomel. At some point I realized that if I stayed in Belarus, I would be arrested again or even worse. I had to leave my native country.
Thanks to the help of volunteers and organizations, I managed to go to Poland. Now I am waiting for a decision on granting me international protection and medical insurance. But it is very hard to live in this uncertainty: my humanitarian visa has expired, I can't work, and I am running out of money.
I have to ask for help because I can no longer manage on my own. I need funds for:
— Basic medications and dietary nutrition, without which my health is rapidly deteriorating. I am waiting for insurance and hope to have proper medicine here soon.
— Covering basic needs until I can find a job.
If you have the ability to help, I would be eternally grateful.
How much is needed?
€2500
€900 — an apartment for 2 months
€500 — rent deposit
€500 — medicines and food for 2-3 months
€600 — funds for the first time