What We Do — And Why It Matters

Podari.Life exists to close the gap between what is medically possible and what is available — for children facing cancer and other serious illnesses in Russia and neighboring countries.

We work alongside doctors, clinics, and families to deliver real help where it’s needed most: life-saving medications that haven’t yet been approved in Russia, bone marrow donor searches for children without a match in their family, and access to treatments or technologies that many hospitals simply can’t afford.

Every case is urgent — every child is someone’s whole world

Our early mission was focused on supporting medical professionals — sharing knowledge, research, and access to U.S.-based standards of care. But we quickly saw that no amount of expertise can save a life without the right medication — and that a prescription means little if the drug isn’t available. That’s when our mission expanded.

We now run a dedicated program that legally imports unregistered but essential medicines — cutting-edge treatments already in use across the U.S. and Europe. Drugs like Defitelio, Cidofovir, Fasturtec and Foscavir can mean the difference between life and loss. We also fund international donor searches for bone marrow transplants — a critical, time-sensitive step for children with leukemia and other blood disorders who lack a related match.

Since our founding, we’ve helped hundreds of young patients in leading pediatric clinics across the region — primarily the Rogachev Center.

Each child has a name, a story, and a family — and the right to thrive

Thanks to early crypto contributions and careful stewardship, our operational costs are now fully covered through investment income. That means today, 100 percent of your donation goes directly to programs — not to overhead.

You can find our annual reports and IRS filings here — because we believe transparency is part of trust.

Podari.Life is more than a charity. It’s a community of care — one that crosses borders, politics, and distance. It’s built on one belief:

Where a child is born should never decide whether they live

our ongoing programs

Treatment & Rehabilitation

We help children access life-saving treatments that are often out of reach — including medications not registered in Russia and searches for unrelated bone marrow donors. We also support rehab programs and creative therapies that make hospital life more humane.

Medications 2025 budget: $350,000.
Bone marrow transplants: $115,000.

CANCER OUTREACH

The program covers IT expenses aimed at promoting cancer awareness, reaching more donors, and maintaining communication with patients' parents and families.

2025 budget: $10,000

Supporting Medical Professionals

We provide doctors with access to global best practices: subscriptions to medical databases, up-to-date literature, participation in international conferences, and clinical observerships in U.S. hospitals — so they can bring world-class care back home.

2025 budget: $50,000.

OUR TEAM

  • A middle-aged man with a shaved head and wearing a white coat, smiling against a gray background.

    Konstantin Balonov, President

    Dr. Balonov joined Podari.Life as President during a time of growth, when the need for structured leadership and expert medical input became essential. A longtime supporter of the charity, he brought his background in clinical medicine. Konstantin focused on building a network of doctors to form an expert committee, ensuring that each medical case receives professional review. His leadership continues to shape the charity’s development, keeping the mission grounded in care, ethics, and informed decision-making.

    Konstantin Balonov, MD, is an anesthesiologist at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. 

  • A middle-aged man with gray hair and facial hair, wearing a dark green polo shirt, looking directly at the camera against a plain gray background.

    Igor Tsvetkov, Treasurer

    Igor joined Podari.Life as Treasurer in 2024, bringing over 20 years of experience in strategic management across business and non-profit sectors in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In his role, he optimizes operations and investment strategies to ensure donations are used efficiently and that all operating expenses are fully covered by investment income. Igor holds an MBA in finance and plays a vital role in securing the fund’s financial health and long-term sustainability.

    Igor Tsvetkov is a strategy and corporate development professional with expertise in banking and financial services.

  • A woman with red hair, wearing a green top and a black necklace, takes a selfie against a plain light blue wall.

    Asy Patrysheva, Meds4.Kids coordinator

    Asy leads Podari.Life’s new project, Meds4Kids, launched in 2024, which helps provide life-saving medications from European suppliers to children with cancer and serious blood disorders treated in Russian hospitals. With years of experience in community building, she brings people together in support of the cause. Her work strengthens our shared belief: every child deserves access to essential medication—reliably and without delay.

    Asy Patrysheva was the founder of Travel.Ru. After moving to the USA, she began working with children and families camps as a director.

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a blue patterned blouse, gold necklace, and a black wristwatch, sitting against a plain white background.

    Lelia Shergova, Clerk and Director

    Lelia is a cofounder of Podari.Life and has been leading the administration of all programs, events, and operations since 2015. With the help of volunteers, she has organized or supported dozens of events, managed the budget to ensure timely assistance for those in need, and actively sought new ways to fundraise and engage donors. Today, Lelia remains a key figure in the organization, essential to its daily work and long-term vision.

    Before moving to the U.S., Lelia was a longtime volunteer for charitable organizations, including those supporting children with cancer, e.g. Podari Zhizn — the sister charity of Podari.Life.