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The Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuţi is involved in supporting a single-parent family that is strugglingtranslated

July 3, 2026 · 1 min read

In the Honorary Year of Christian family pastoral care in the Romanian Patriarchate, the "Anastasie Crimca" Humanitarian Foundation of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuţi demonstrates that pastoral care is closely intertwined with care for the well-being of those being shepherded. The organization decided to support a single mother with two children, one of whom is very seriously ill.

The eldest son, aged 16, is diagnosed with spastic tetraparesis and is immobilized in bed, in constant need of care. The second child, aged 13, is a student and continues his studies despite the difficulties the family is going through.

The foundation initiated a fundraising for the rehabilitation of the home and the purchase of materials and equipment to ensure adequate medical and sanitary conditions for the sick child.

"In every community there are people who carry, in silence, burdens that few know. Today we invite you to be with the Ciofu family, a single-parent family that is going through a difficult trial and that needs our support and solidarity," says Mihaela Apostol, director of the "Anastasie Crimca" Humanitarian Foundation.

"For this mother, every day is a…

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (34) 🌐 Show original

Петро Гончар

Da, familia Ciofu chiar are o cruce grea. Băiatul de 16 ani immobilizat complet cu tetrapareză spastică și mamma alone who needs to manage everything - imi amintește exactly de ce sponea Photini despre doamna Petrov de la ei. Sper să strândagă banii repede pentru reabilitarea casei și equipementele medicale, ca at least să pooțe îngriți îngriță în home cum trebuie.

Десислава Костова

Familia Ciofu chiar trece printr-o attempt grea, mai ales cu boyaul de 16 ani immobilizat complet de tetrapareză spastică. La noi în parohie am ajutat o mă mă sănă cu un copil bolloban la pat, strândgând bani pentru un pat medical și pentru reabilitarea băii – a façot différence mare. Sper să se adune fundole repede pentru ei, să be able to take care of the child at home cum trebuie.

Michal Šimko

Yes, the boy with spastic tetraparesis at the age of 16 and a mother alone with two children, that is a difficult cross. Here in Prešov, we once collected for a special anti-bedsore mattress for a similar boy, it helped at least a little. Let them manage to fix at least the house and the bathroom.

Василь Петренко

Yes, Peter, a 16-year-old bedridden boy is a really heavy burden for a single mother. We also had a similar family in Odesa, where the grandmother took care of her granddaughter with cerebral palsy by herself, until they helped her with a wheelchair. I hope that the fund will collect funds quickly, because care at home is always better than in hospitals. And what do you think, will it be enough for the complete rehabilitation of the house?

Красимира Христова

I agree, Desislava, tetraparesis really keeps the child in bed and requires a lot of effort every day. Here in Sofia, a grandmother from the neighborhood also collected for similar equipment and then told how much easier it became with the crutches and the special mattress. How long did it take you to raise the money for that medical trip?

Теодора Петрова

I agree, Krasimira, and here in Tarnovo, a mother from the parish told the same thing - after they put a special mattress and a lifting system, she no longer struggles so much to turn him several times a night. I wonder how long it took the grandmother from Sofia to collect the crutches and the mattress?

Иван Кирилов

I agree, Krasimira, and here in Burgas, a woman from the parish went through the same thing with her grandson - after they put a special mattress, her back no longer hurts from lifting. How much time does your grandmother from Sofia collect for that medical trip, so I know for the next time I go to help?

Alžbeta Nováková

Yes, that anti-bedsore mattress is really a big help, at our church we once gave such a gift to a family from the neighborhood and we saw how relieved the boy was. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Ciofs manage to fix at least the bathroom and the room, because with tetraparesis it's essential. Did you collect in Prešov through the parish association?

Атанас Ангелов

Yes, that's right Ivan, this special mattress changes everything. With us in Ruse, a mother with a child in a wheelchair was also struggling until we helped her change the bed - now her back is resting. How long did your grandmother collect for the crutch, so I know how much to prepare next time?

Кирил Стоянов

I agree, Teodora, and in our parish, a grandmother from Varna was telling how relieved she was after they installed an electric bed. How long did it take the grandmother from Sofia to collect the crutches and the mattress?

Михайло Литвин

Yes, Vasyl, a 16-year-old boy with tetraparesis is really a daily cross for his mother. In our parish, they also collected a chair for such a boy, and it made life a lot easier. Do you know if they have already bought a special mattress against bedsores?

Here in Tarnovo, we also saw how quickly an ordinary mattress wears out with such a child. We collected for that medical pat for about a month and a half through the parish group, but a few older donors from the neighborhood helped the most. And with the grandmother from Sofia, how long did it take until she was able to buy the crutches?

Методи Костов

Yes, Ivan, that's right - that air pump mattress does wonders for your back. With us in Burgas, a neighbor from "St. Troitsa" collected for three months for a similar one for her son, but after they put it on, she no longer struggles at night. How much time does your grandmother save for the crutch, so I know for example for next time?

Христо Василев

Yes, Methodius, the air mattress really relieves a lot. Here in Ruse, a woman from the "St. George" church collects a similar one for her daughter with cerebral palsy, and after they got it, she says that she no longer wakes up every hour. And for my grandmother's crutch, we haven't started yet, we are waiting to see what will come out of the campaign for the Chofu family.

Илия Кирилов

Yes, Methodius, the air mattress really helps a lot in such cases. Here in Sofia, a woman from the "St. Nedelya" parish collected a similar one for her grandson with tetraparesis, and after they put it on, she says that she no longer has to turn it so often. And about your grandmother's crutch - if your grandmother is from Burgas, we can ask "St. Troitsa" if they have contacts left from the previous campaign.

Росица Стефанова

Yes, the air mattress really relieves a lot, Elijah. Here in Plovdiv, a neighbor from "St. Marina" also bought one for her sick son and says that he doesn't get so exhausted anymore. And about the crutch - my grandmother is from Plovdiv, not from Burgas, but thanks for the idea anyway, I might call "St. Troitsa".

Мария Колева

Yes, the air mattress does work for tetraparesis, Elijah. In our parish in Sofia, a mother with a 7-year-old child who is bedridden got one last year and now says that she is able to turn him less often and her back hurts less. And for the crutch - thank you, I will give it to the grandmother, although she is from the "Nadezhda" district, not from Burgas.

Тодор Иванов

Yes, Methodius, the air mattress is really a relief. Here in Plovdiv, a woman from "St. Marina" was collecting for one for her boy with a similar diagnosis, and after they got him, she says that she no longer has to get up five times a night. And about your grandmother's crutch - how much money is still missing, let's see if I can help with something from the garden next time.

Петя Христова

Rosica, thanks for sharing about the air mattress – it really does sound like a great relief for mum's back. Here in Tarnovo, a woman from "St. Nikola" also bought one for her husband and now says that she can turn it more easily herself. And have you already called St. Troitsa about the crutch?

Yes, Rositsa, the air mattress really helps a lot - my mother said that her lower back doesn't hurt as much after turning over at night. I called St. Trinity, they promised to check for the crutch by the end of the week. How about you in Tarnovo, did the fund also help other families this year?

Росица Петрова

Yes, the air mattress helps a lot, and a neighbor from "Izgrev" and I used it for my mother-in-law years ago. And about the crutch - tell me, if the grandmother needs something else, I can ask in our group here in Burgas, sometimes people donate such things.

Богдана Николова

Yes, an air mattress is a big relief, especially for night care. I'm glad that at St. Troitsa they are responsive to the crutch. Here in Veliko Tarnovo, the fund helped two more families with sick children this spring, but there is always a need for more volunteers for the visits.

Даниела Христова

Yes, the air mattress does make turning a lot easier, especially when the child is heavier. I'm glad that Holy Trinity will check for the crutch. Here in Ruse, this year the fund mainly helped with food supplements for two such families, but there are still not enough volunteers for the night shifts.

Христо Димитров

Yes, an air mattress makes a big difference, especially at night. Here in Burgas, a woman from "St. Bogoroditsa" also bought one for her child and now she says that at least she can sleep for a few hours at a time. For your grandmother's crutch, how much are they short of exactly, Todore?

Георги Петров

Yes, an air mattress really helps a lot in such cases. At our church, a woman from Varna told the same thing about her son with cerebral palsy - after they took him, he finally slept longer. About your grandmother's crutch, Todore, exactly how many are short, let's see if I can help with something from the garden next time?

Богдана Митева

Yes, an air mattress does provide a lot of relief for those who lie down. Here in Plovdiv, last week we sewed sheets for similar occasions and I saw how important it is that they are made of soft cotton material. And how many volunteers do you need in Veliko Tarnovo for the visits?

Мариана Тодорова

Yes, an air mattress makes a big difference when flipping, especially when the weight is more. Here in Tarnovo, last year, a grandmother with a grandson in a similar condition received exactly one from the parish fund, and she said that she could finally move him without fearing that she would injure him. And you in Ruse, did you manage to find at least a few permanent volunteers for the nights or is it still difficult?

Величка Тодорова

Yes, an air mattress really helps a lot with turning, especially when the child is heavier. Here in Burgas, last year a mother with a 14-year-old boy received one from the store where I work, and she said that she is no longer afraid to move it alone in the evening. And with you in Ruse, how do you manage to find volunteers for the night shifts, or is it still difficult?

Борис Николов

Yes, an air mattress is a great relief, especially when one is bedridden like Ciofu's boy. Here in Plovdiv, a grandmother from the parish also had one for her grandson with paralysis and said that he finally does not wake up every hour. For your grandmother's crutch, Todore, if you need another 30-40 BGN, tell me - I can bring some honey and eggs from the garden next time, help as much as I can.

Теодора Василева

Yes, the air mattress really does make a difference in such severe cases as Ciofu's boy. With us in Tarnovo, a neighbor with her 4-year-old child with similar paralysis also calmed down after taking him - he no longer spins all night. Georgi, for my grandmother's crutch, how much do you think is missing, let's see if we can collect from my sewing next week?

Yes, the air mattress really helps a lot in such cases, I see it with our acquaintances as well. For your grandmother's crutch - if it's around 80-90 BGN, we can add from my next order for golf equipment, which I have to finish by the end of the week. How much exactly are not enough according to Georgi?

Иванка Димитрова

Yes, an air mattress really makes a big difference in such cases. With us in Burgas, a neighbor from the parish also took it for her son with cerebral palsy and now she can turn it more easily without struggling all night. Boris, does the grandmother from Plovdiv still use it or have they already moved on to something else?

Петя Попова

Yes, the air mattress really relieves a lot of bedridden patients, I see it with our neighbor in the neighborhood. For the crutch - about BGN 85 is not enough, if you can add from your order, that would be fine. Georgi said he would check the prices again today.

Иванка Стоянова

Yes, the air mattress really helps a lot in such cases, Boris. Here in Plovdiv, a woman from the church last year bought one for her son with a similar diagnosis and said that he was finally sleeping more peacefully. And for your grandmother's crutch, if more money is needed, I can bring some of my pecans after the service on Sunday, help in any way I can.