The spouses actively participated in the 2020 protests, supported Viktar Babarika's headquarters and Sviatlana Tihanouskaya's team. During the pandemic they organized the collection and purchase of protective equipment for the 2nd City Clinical Hospital of Hrodna.
On March 18, 2022 Aliaksandr was arrested right at his workplace. On May 19, the man was sentenced to two years of “chemistry” under Article 368.1 of the Criminal Code (public insult of Lukashenka). On the same day, due to the threat of arrest and persecution, the family left Belarus. The spouses left for the Russian Federation, not staying anywhere for a long time, because they were afraid of attention from the law enforcers. Out of desperation, they decided to cross the border with Ukraine across the front line, but were detained by Russian law enforcers.
“I had my teeth knocked out and Natasha was almost raped,” Alexander recalls. — We spent a whole night in captivity, terrified, not realizing what would happen next. We were beaten and abused.
The law enforcers took away all their money and personal belongings, but fortunately decided to let the couple go. In the memory of Natalia and Alexander this episode remained as one of the most difficult experiences.
In the summer of 2022, after several months of flight, with the help of the BYSOL evacuation service and “Belarus House” the family managed to leave for Poland.
In 2024, Alexander experienced the first symptoms of malaise. After a serious deterioration of health, the man went to the doctor, who diagnosed a neoplasm in the bladder. Histology confirmed bladder cancer (invasive ureteric carcinoma T2). In August 2024, Alexander was hospitalized and had part of the tumor removed. In late September, a second surgery took place and despite the positive prognosis of the doctors, a recurrence soon began.
Now Alexander needs chemotherapy, which will be followed by surgery to completely remove his bladder, and then a long rehabilitation. Natalia is unable to work as her husband requires constant care. The family has almost no savings and they are seeking help to survive the approximately 9 months during which they will not be able to work.
Aleksander says that he receives help with his sick leave, but the amount is only 2800 PLN (675 euros), which does not cover even half of the treatment costs. “I work officially and receive sick pay,” he says. — But this amount is completely insufficient.”
The spouses are in a critical situation, and your donations will help them pass this difficult period of life with dignity.
How much is needed?
€5310 (all expenses for 9 months).
€2700 — rent,
€1800 for food,
€450 for medicines and care products,
€360 for transportation