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Ukraine family get cancer and bomb news on same day

Supplied Stepan Kozariichuk is holding baby Bohdan in his arms and looking at him with a smile on his face. They are in a colourful tulip field. Stepan , who has short black hair and a beard, is wearing a white and blue jacket. Bohdan's eyes are closed. he is wearing a blue hat and body warmer.Supplied
Bohdan Kozariichuk, who is 11 months old, was diagnosed with eye cancer

A Ukrainian family living in Cumbria received news of their baby's cancer diagnosis, on the same day their family's home was destroyed by a Russian drone strike.

Stepan and Alina Kozariichuk, originally from the Odesa region and now living Penrith, noticed their now 11-month-old son Bohdan was squinting and had trouble getting his toys.

He was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma on Friday 13 February, then later that day they were told Alina's father's house had been hit.

The couple said they have cried together but when they see a smile on their baby's face they "smile and joke together, hoping there will be better times".

Speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria via a friend who translated, Alina said the baby was "really, really wanted" as she had endured two previous miscarriages.

They noticed Bohdan's symptoms when he was about six months old.

Both of his eyes were affected and the couple were told his cancer was at an advanced stage, needing long complex treatment including chemotherapy, cryotherapy and laser therapy.

BBC / John Bowness Stepan and Alina Kozariichuk sit side by side in a living room and look directly at the camera with neutral expressions on their faces. On the left, Stepan is wearing a black shirt and has short black hair and a beard. Alina is wearing a grey shirt and has long black hair.BBC / John Bowness
Stepan and Alina Kozariichuk say they feel hopeful when they see their baby smile

On the same day he was diagnosed, the couple received news from Ukraine that Bohdan's grandfather's house had been destroyed by two drones.

He and his wife survived, but their home and car were wrecked.

"It was very hard," Alina said, describing it as the worst day of their lives.

Stepan Kozariichuk Bohdan is smiling brightly while sitting in a playground swing. His eyes are closed and his hand is raised. He is wearing a blue and white coat and a blue hat.Stepan Kozariichuk
Bohdan is undergoing cancer treatment in Newcastle and Birmingham

The family have been travelling to Newcastle for chemotherapy and then to Birmingham for regular specialist treatment.

In a statement, the couple said Bohdan had been their "little hero".

"Despite chemotherapy and endless hospital visits, he still smiles, plays with his drum, watches cartoons and reaches for toys," they said.

"His strength gives us strength."

The family said they hoped to travel back home when the war ends.

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