Unfortunately, a month ago our small family suffered a tremendous loss.
Due to complications caused by a combination of pneumonia and diabetes, our grandmother — my husband’s mother, Olga — passed away. She was only 63 years old.
Apart from her, my husband had no other close relatives. He was her only son.
Because of the tragic events in our home country, we were forced to leave. She stayed behind in Ukraine. She believed the war would soon be over and was truly looking forward to reuniting with us.
To our great sorrow, that day never came. My son — her only grandson, Emil — will never be able to see or hug his grandmother.
This tragedy is made even more painful by the fact that she lived alone and had no close relatives nearby. The hospital where she passed arranged the cremation. Today, her urn awaits burial.
We’ve decided that I, as my husband’s representative and family member, will travel to Ukraine to arrange the funeral and complete the necessary legal procedures. My husband cannot go himself, as the borders are currently closed to men due to the ongoing war — if he enters Ukraine, he will not be able to leave again.
At the moment, I am awaiting approval from USCIS for an emergency travel permit to temporarily leave the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons — the death of a close relative. If approved, I will need to purchase tickets and depart within two weeks.
The costs of USCIS fees, airfare, funeral arrangements, and legal documentation are significant, and we are asking for your help. If you are able to donate (any amount helps) or simply share this page, please support us. Your kindness and compassion mean more than words can express. Thank you for being there.