Nastya Antonenko, 16 years old.
Nastya loves to draw and read because it helps her live life to the fullest. She dreams of getting better and of getting a dog—a Corgi. He’ll be her best friend.
Nastya Antonenko is 16 years old. This year she is graduating from high school—an important and exciting milestone in her life, one she is preparing for with great anticipation. Despite her long-term treatment and a relapse of her illness, Nastya refuses to let her circumstances take away this sense of celebration. For her, graduation is a symbol of the future, of life after treatment, and of new dreams. She chose her dress for this special day back in the winter, with great faith that she would definitely be there—beautiful, happy, and healthy. Nastya is a very kind, bright, and caring girl. Animals hold a special place in her heart. Three cats are waiting for her at home, and she found some of them right on the street, brought them home, where they were given treatment, care, and a new home. For Nastya, it comes naturally to care for, rescue, and give love to those who need it. It’s no surprise that her favorite character is Pusheen the cat. Nastya has pajamas, T-shirts, pillows, and many other items featuring this cute cat. It’s a small detail that perfectly captures her character—warm, gentle, and filled with love for all living things. Another of Nastya’s great passions is books. She simply adores reading, and she especially loves fantasy. It is in books that she finds new worlds, adventures, heroes, and the chance to escape, even if just for a little while, from the daily grind of the hospital. She has already built up quite a sizeable library at home, and she’s already planning new bookshelves, which will definitely be added once her treatment is complete. For Nastya, this is also part of her dream—to return home, to her normal life, to her favorite books, cats, and peaceful evenings when she can simply read, dream, and make plans for the future. Her story is one of tenderness and strength at the same time. It’s about a young woman who, even while battling her illness, never stops preparing for life after it. It’s about her love for animals, books, and the little joys that help her believe every day that there are still many happy pages ahead.
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Nastya loves to draw and read because it helps her live life to the fullest. She dreams of getting better and of getting a dog—a Corgi. He’ll be her best friend.
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