ABOUT GIFT OF LIFE

Gift of Life, a UK charitable foundation helping children in need beat cancer. Registered in England and Wales, Gift of Life has been providing children from CIS countries with the most effective cancer care and support since 2011.

The Gift of Life’s mission is to ensure children and young people in need can receive the most modern and effective cancer care and nonmedical support regardless of limited state funding in cancer treatments in the CIS countries or shortages of certain medicines locally.

What we do

Gift of Life regularly fundraises for several key programmes including procurement of certain advanced medications unavailable in the CIS region but are indispensable for the treatment of certain types of cancer, facilitation of searches for bone marrow donors through international registries, provision of professional development and educational opportunities for local oncologists and scientists specialising in paediatric cancer.

Since 2011, Gift of Life has ensured access to the most advanced and effective treatments and medications for hundreds of young patients. The charity has managed to support over 780 applications for life-saving medicine and non-medical treatment, spending over £9,664,000 on its programmes.

To maximise the impact of local expertise, Gift of Life collaborates with Podari Zhizn (Russia’s leading childhood cancer charity since 2006) and Podari.Life Inc. (a US-based paediatric cancer charity launched in 2015). Together, these three charitable foundations work cohesively to offer children and young people in the CIS region access to the most effective cancer treatments and advanced medicines.

Why donations are needed

In the CIS, state funding only partially covers treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. A large portion of the medical expenses – sometimes over 60% – must be shouldered by families who often struggle and live below the poverty line as treating cancer is devastating financially.

How much we need

While running ongoing appeals to fund essential medications, Gift of Life works hard to reach its primary goal – to raise £800,000 in order to cover completely the costs of life-saving drugs such as Defitelio, Foscavir and Cidofovir for its patients throughout the whole year.

Please, donate to help us save more children every day.

If you have more questions about Gift of Life and the work we do check out the Frequently Asked Questions.

 

The Podari Zhizn foundation was established on 26 November 2006 to help children and young adults up to 25 years old who are being treated for cancer and life-threatening blood disorders in Russian clinics.

15 years of support

Since 2006, Podari Zhizn has helped over 90,000 children and young adults.

It all started with doctors, oncologists and haematologists, firstly Galina Novichkova, Alexei Maschan and Mikhail Maschan. They had courage to share it in the media that Russian hospitals lacked medical supplies, equipment and bone marrow donors for children. Their appeals inspired a team of volunteers and fundraisers to raise money and involve famous actors, performers, musicians, journalists, and businessmen to support these charitable needs.

Podari Zhizn has been helping doctors to treat their patients, helps children at every stage of their treatment, and supports families who otherwise would have to face this challenge alone.

Most effective medications, life-saving surgeries, medical equipment, diagnostics and tests, travel expenses to and from hospitals, food, clothes, accommodation – all of these costs are covered from donations.

Please visit Podari Zhizn website for more information about the charity and its work.

Podari.Life Inc. is a U.S.-based charity opened in 2015 by a group of enthusiasts who have volunteered at Podari Zhizn prior to moving to the United States.

The charity believes that while the U.S. and Russian governments may be having a standoff, people of these two great countries do not. Openness, generosity, mutual support, and friendship are part of the cure for a disease that knows no borders – cancer.

Their mission

The charity’s mission is to advance public education on childhood cancer and to increase awareness among medical professionals in Russia. Same as its sister charities, Podari.Life is convinced that a child’s life should not depend on money. Check Podari.Life webpage for more details.

REPORTS

Lazarev Andrei 15.10.2025

2023 Impact Report

In 2023, we provided care and support to 35 young cancer patients. A heartfelt thank you for standing with us and giving the gift of life to these children!     Read More
Andrei Solopov

2022 Impact Report

During 2022, 21 children received Gift of Life’s support. Thank you so much for continuing to help and giving the most precious gift – the gift of life!      Read More
Timur Kadirov

2021 Impact Report

In 2021 Gift of Life supported 49 patients fighting cancer and other serious diseases. Read our 2021 Impact Report to learn how your gift helped these children.     Read More
Tamara Krasnova

2020 Impact Report

The global pandemic of COVID-19 might have separated us physically, but it united us in our urge to help those in need. Thank you for your support!     Read More
annual-2019

2019 Annual Review

In 2019, you’ve aided 38 kids receiving treatment for severe oncological, haematological and immunological illnesses, and the total cost of the medical and educational expenses amounts to £488,800.23. Thank you!     Read More
getimage

2018 Annual Review

A great big thank you to everyone who helped the children in Gift of Life’s care in 2018! Together, we were able to help 38 patients in Russia, and the total sum of our medical expenses exceeded £493,000.     Read More
annual-2017

2017 Annual Review

In 2017 Gift of Life and its supporters were able to help over 75 Russian patients, and spent £783,097 on medicines, consultations, surgeries and treatment abroad. Thank you for being by our side!     Read More