Recently, the parents of 8-year-old Antoś Maksajda reached out to MediTrip Poland for help. Antoś is living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) — a rare, fatal genetic disease that causes progressive and irreversible muscle degeneration.
Children with DMD gradually lose muscle strength; most lose the ability to walk independently by around the age of 12. As the disease progresses, it affects the respiratory muscles, making breathing increasingly difficult. The condition involves immense daily suffering, and tragically, many children with DMD do not reach adulthood.
Antoś's Journey So Far
The first symptoms appeared when Antoś was just three years old, but a confirmed diagnosis came only in November 2024. At present, the only treatment that can halt the progression of the disease is gene therapy.
To explore this option, MediTrip Poland arranged an online medical consultation with Fakeeh University Hospital in Abu Dhabi. Antoś's case was reviewed by Dr. Arif Khan, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, Mr. Rajan Balaraman, Head of the Gene Therapy Program, and their multidisciplinary team.
After carefully reviewing Antoś's medical records, the specialists recommended performing an AVR-74 antibody test at Fakeeh Hospital. This test determines eligibility for gene therapy. Only around 5% of children test positive for antibodies that would disqualify them from treatment, giving Antoś's family reason to remain hopeful.
Antoś will soon travel to Dubai to undergo the test and find out whether he qualifies for the therapy.
If he is eligible, the family will need to raise USD 2.9 million for the single-infusion gene therapy, which requires a three-month stay in Dubai.
As Mr. Rajan Balaraman gently noted, “Dubai offers beautiful beaches, the world's tallest skyscrapers, and delicious ice cream” — small comforts that may help make a difficult journey a little more bearable.
How MediTrip Poland Helped
MediTrip Poland coordinated the medical consultation and outlined the next steps in the process, supporting the family through medical, logistical, and communication challenges — including language barriers. We are deeply honored to assist families like Antoś's during such critical moments.
Support Antoś
You can help Antoś by supporting his fundraising campaign:
➡️ https://www.siepomaga.pl/en/antoni-maksajda
Every donation brings hope one step closer.
If you or someone you love is facing a complex medical case and needs international care coordination, please contact us at [email protected]. We are here to help.