Fighting for life
Norbert is 16. He is deaf. He sits at a table, takes a sheet of paper, and folds it into a flower. Then he makes another one.
He sells the flowers to raise money. Not for a new phone, a holiday, or something he wants for himself.
Norbert is making paper flowers to help save his dog’s life.
Flower by flower, he is trying to raise 35,000 Polish złoty (PLN) – that’s more than 8.000 EUR. This is how much the treatment that could give Ashki a chance is expected to cost.
And this is their story.
Ashki is nine years old. He has a loving home and a family who sees him as part of everything they do. But his connection with Norbert is especially close.
For years, Ashki has been his friend, his companion, and a source of comfort. They do not need words to understand each other. Ashki is simply there. Beside Norbert. Every day.
Until recently, he was a healthy, lively dog. When swelling appeared on his face, his family thought it was a problem with his teeth. They went to the vet. Ashki received antibiotics and had some teeth removed.
The swelling stayed.
More teeth were removed. Still, it did not go away.
His family kept searching for answers. A CT scan revealed a suspected cancer: osteosarcoma. Then a biopsy confirmed cancer, but of a different type-squamous cell carcinoma.
It was still frightening news. But it also brought something his family had begun to fear they would lose.
A chance to treat him.
They acted immediately. Ashki began seeing a veterinary oncologist. More appointments followed. More tests, medicines, and trips to the clinic in Wrocław-twice a week, 100 kilometres each way.
His family has already spent more than 8,000 PLN (almost 2.000 EUR). The medicines he now needs cost 2,000+ PLN (near 500 EUR) every month.
Their savings have run out. Ashki still needs care.
The cancer treatment that could give him a chance is expected to cost 35,000 PLN (8.000+ EUR). If that treatment is not possible, palliative care is estimated to cost 18,000 PLN (2.000+ EUR). This care would not stop the cancer. It would help control his pain and keep him as comfortable as possible for the time he has left.
Both amounts are beyond what his family can afford.
They have done everything they can since the first signs of illness. But Norbert also needs rehabilitation, and that costs money too.
His parents now face a choice no family should have to make: how to pay for their son’s care while also helping the dog who means so much to him.
Ashki is part of Norbert’s daily life. Part of what helps him feel safe. A familiar friend beside him through difficult days.
How can a parent put a price on that?
How can they choose between another month of rehabilitation for their son and the chance of another summer with Ashki by his side?
The bills keep arriving. The next appointments need to be booked. And there are no savings left.
That is why the family asked the Centaurus Foundation for help. And why we are asking you to help us support them.
We cannot promise that treatment will save Ashki. We do not know how his body will respond or how much more time he may have.
But his vets see a treatment option. Ashki has a chance.
We want to help his family take it.
Our goal is to raise 35,000 PLN (8.000+ EUR) for his cancer treatment. If we cannot reach that goal, we need at least 18,000 PLN (4.000+ EUR) to provide palliative care and help relieve his pain.
It is a lot of money.
Norbert keeps making flowers.
He folds the paper, finishes one, and starts the next one. He sells them and puts the money aside. For him, the reason is simple: Ashki is ill, and he wants to help him.
A 16-year-old cannot carry out a scan, give cancer treatment, or plan his dog’s care. He cannot raise it all on his own.
But he can make a paper flower.
So he does.
Then one more.
Please don’t leave him alone at that table.
Let Norbert keep making his flowers knowing that others are helping too. Let him know that he does not have to raise every last penny by himself to give his best friend a chance.
Please donate whatever you can. Every donation helps pay for Ashki’s care. If you cannot donate, please share this appeal.
For Ashki, who has spent years by Norbert’s side.
And for the boy making paper flowers to help someone he loves.
Campaign ends
October 22, 2026
What a special bond between the boy and his dog Ashli . What a heart warming story , if this story touches your heart please donate anything helps cause we all know what cancer can do and how fast it can spread . Let’s pray that enough money gets raised so the family can get the medications that Ashli needs so he can have a somewhat normal and pain free life and enjoy the things that dogs enjoy doing and that is living a dogs life. Prayers for the family , the little boy and especially Ashli !!Much love to all!!🦋🐶❤️💕
Surely the vets could club together and treat this dog for free as he is the sole companion for a deaf young boy. It wouldn’t hurt them to help for free
I am so sorry, since I am also animal lover. My twin suffers from meningiomas grade II, and I need money for Proton Beam Therapy which in England is not funded by the NHS. She asked me, (since she has been discharged by her oncologist and once also a neuro-surgeon, who is in favour of a second surgery, which it would be too invasive and less effective, for the first one has left her with one eye blind and suffering from FTD) if she is going to die for doctors won’t do anything to save her life. If I had won the lottery, I would have been able to self-pay for her treatment. But I cannot. And this is killing me.
God Bless Norbert and Ashki Miracles due come true.
good luck with raising the money and God bless you all 🙏🏻❤️
Best wishes for finding the money.xxx
This is for your sweet boy. Wish it were more. Love you
I’ll keep you in my prayers
Norbert and Ashki, I know you are best friends and Ashki is family to you. I truly hope you both the very best treatments and I encourage you to keep your fighting spirit up. It’s really lovely what you’re doing for Ashki by making and selling paper flowers! I know he loves you as much as you love him so just spend as much time together and listen to
Ashki telling you what he needs. His body will let him know. I wish vet bills weren’t so expensive. Big hugs to you both and I’ll be thinking of you all.
I don’t know why the vets pulled out Ashki’s teeth- and multiple times. Seems reckless. Now he has trouble eating I’m sure on top of his cancer. That caused unnecessary medical bills. But Ashki needs his cancer treatment if his body tells him to fight. I know he loves Norbert and they are best friends and family. Norbert, you’re an awesome kid and a great human for your determination and strength to do everything in your will power to save Ashki. I send you lots of hugs and I will always think of you both and hope and pray everything works out the best for you and Ashki. 💓💓🙏🪷🫂