Stepan and Alina Kozariichuk from Penrith were told baby son Bohdan has aggressive eye cancer and is at risk of losing his sight after noticing crossed eyes and white reflection
A baby was diagnosed with aggressive eye cancer after his parents spotted his ‘crossed eyes’ and ‘white reflection’.
Stepan and Alina Kozariichuk, both 32, relocated to the UK from their home city of Kyiv, Ukraine, in 2022, pursuing a brighter future and hoping to start a family.
They made their home in Penrith, Cumbria, and experienced a miscarriage in December 2023, having previously lost one pregnancy while still in Ukraine.
Therefore, they were delighted when they conceived in August 2024 and welcomed their miracle son, Bohdan, the following May.
However, in late 2025, the pair observed his eyes becoming crossed.
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Medical professionals examined him and also identified a white reflection in the youngster’s eye, only detectable in photographs taken with camera flash.
To their devastation, on 13 February, he was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma – a rare and aggressive eye cancer – and faces the risk of losing his vision.
On the exact same day, the couple received the news that Alina’s family home back in Ukraine had been destroyed by drone attacks.
The 10-month-old is currently undergoing chemotherapy but remains at risk of losing his sight as the couple battle to support their son and family.
Stepan, a factory worker, stated: “We saw something wrong with his eyes, they were crossed and he had a white reflection only visible in certain lights.
“We thought everything would be fine – maybe he would just need a bandage on his eye for a bit.
“So when doctors diagnosed him, it was very difficult.
“We know the chances of recovery are quite high, but he could lose his vision in the process.
“On the same day, two drones hit the roof of Alina’s parents’ house back home, and destroyed the house and the car.”
Stepan and Alina, who is currently on maternity leave, initially spotted problems with their baby’s eye in December – his eyes became misaligned, and a white shadow appeared.
Stepan explained: “It is not always visible and usually appears only at certain angles, especially under artificial light like a camera flash.
“We only clearly noticed it after doctors pointed it out.”
Their little one was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma – on the very same day they discovered the roof had been destroyed at Alina’s family home in Kyiv.
Stepan recalled: “In one day we lost everything we had built – and learned our baby is fighting for his sight.
“When we got the news, I was holding my baby in my hands, and he didn’t understand what was happening – so he started laughing.
“Meanwhile, I could barely hold myself together, and Alina was crying too.”
Bohdan, their precious ‘rainbow baby’ following two previous losses, started chemotherapy at two hospitals – one in Newcastle and another in Birmingham.
Up to now, medics believe the tumour is reducing in size following the two rounds of chemotherapy he has undergone thus far.
However, even if he conquers the cancer, his parents have been cautioned that he will likely retain little, if any, of his sight. Stepan explained: “He will have some vision, but we don’t know the depth or how good it will be, it’s all unknown.”
The family are making weekly journeys from Cumbria to Newcastle and Birmingham to ensure their son receives the necessary care.
Stepan revealed he has clocked up approximately 4,000 miles since the diagnosis to access his son’s required treatment, alongside the anxiety of events unfolding back in Ukraine.
The parents are raising funds to cover travel and accommodation expenses, as well as potential future medical interventions for Bohdan concerning his eyesight.
Stepan is currently taking leave from work whenever Bohdan undergoes treatments, while Alina is on maternity pay, leaving their household income stretched.
Stepan continued: “Of course, at first it was difficult to accept the situation, but we understand there is nothing we can do except go forward.
“As parents, we hope for the best.
“Despite chemotherapy and endless hospital visits, our son still smiles, plays with his drum, watches cartoons and reaches for toys.
“His strength gives us strength.”
Fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-baby-bohdans-eyesight-from-retinoblastoma
