Zoja

Zoja Frackowiak

July 3, 2024 ~ December 29, 2025

"As parents, when you welcome a child into this world, you have one real expectation: that you will leave this world before your child, because that is how it's supposed to be," Joanna and Daniel shared as they looked back on the journey of their brave daughter, Zoja.

The Beginning of a Brave Journey

Zoja’s symptoms began with persistent vomiting. Initially diagnosed as a simple viral infection, the family grew concerned when she didn't improve despite numerous trips to the doctor. Driven by their intuition, Joanna and Daniel sought answers at a pediatric hospital in Poznań, Poland. It was there they received the devastating news: Zoja had a lesion in her brain.

She was immediately transferred to neurosurgery at a different hospital, where she underwent her first major operation on March 4, 2025. Because of the tumor's complex location, surgeons were unable to remove it entirely, marking the start of an incredibly intensive medical road.

Unwavering Strength

Through every operation and painful day, Joanna and Daniel remained Zoja's unwavering pillars. "Our constant presence, through every operation, every painful day, every small victory, is a testament to the kind of love that doesn't flinch in the face of hardship," they recounted.

Zoja faced a relentless schedule of chemotherapy and blood transfusions. In September 2025, the family was given a glimmer of hope when Zoja achieved remission. It was a precious time that allowed for a measure of relief after months of exhausting treatment.

A Spirit That Could Not Be Dimmed

Despite the severity of her diagnosis, Zoja remained an incredibly joyful child. She loved goofing around with her dad and reading fairy tales with her mom. While she enjoyed building with blocks, her absolute favorite "toys" were her medical supplies: feeding syringes, oxygen tubes, and face masks. Her family often laughed, saying she was destined to be a nurse when she grew up.

Even on the most challenging days, Zoja continued to smile. Her strength and cheerful spirit amazed her family daily, proving that her light was far more powerful than her illness.

Running Out of Time

The hope of remission was sadly short-lived. An MRI on October 20, 2025, revealed new changes, with a tumor that had already grown to 2.5 cm. Her parents explored every possible avenue, including alternative treatments, but the intensity of the disease brought no lasting results.

"After ten months of extremely exhausting and intensive treatment, the cancer Zoja was fighting sadly overcame her," her parents shared. "We also tried alternative treatment options, but in the end, we simply ran out of time."

Zoja passed away on December 29, 2025. Her life, though far too short, left a beautiful mark on the ATRT community and everyone who followed her courageous journey. She is remembered for her smile, her playfulness, and a spirit that truly knew no bounds.