Cancer Ribbon

(the hot place for designs) (korea's landmark, ddp) (dongdaemun design plaza, jung-gu, seoul) (60th class at the foreigner school) foreigners settling in korea. this is my neighbor, charles. i'm with chris, fabian, sayuri, and tony hong. - hello, everyone. / - hello. today is arbor day.

do they have arbor day in other countries? in japan, we plant trees on april 4th. i want to plant hairs on tony's head, too. - and water it, too. / - arbor day. we should get rid of it. we have a pretty girl from russia coming today. isn't that great? aren't you excited? let's welcome her now. please come in.

(curious) (wow) so radiant! (the studio got brighter) she's like a russian doll. (kira, 5-year-old daughter) (anastasia, 28-year-old mother) we hear very often that russia is filled with beautiful women.

but we have a beautiful little girl today. she has such pretty eyes. they're like lakes. i feel like i could drown in them. so what brings you to korea? (anastasia, 28) i took kira to the hospital in 2014 due to a health problem that she had. she was diagnosed with cancer that day. we decided to come to korea for her treatment. she doesn't really look sick on the outside.

she's energetic, and she walks very well. she was playing around on the set earlier. there must be hospitals in russia, too. why did you choose a korean hospital? when kira was hospitalized, we decided she should be treated in russia, but some friends suggested that i get a second opinion in korea. we gave up on treatment in russia and came here. so how long has she been treated in korea?

it's been 1 year and 6 months. oh, a year and 6 months. let's watch the story of this mother and daughter who came to a foreign country to treat an illness. (my neighbor, charles) (hospital in dongdaemun, seoul) (the dream of 5-year-old russian girl kira) hey, panda. why do you look so happy today?

what a pretty panda. hi, kira. (i'm a bear) kira, come here. (haha) (catch me if you can) kira is excited to be a bear. she can't sit still. kira, come here. don't bother people.

this extremely playful girl is very popular in the hospital. stay still. i'm a bear. want me to take a photo? you look like "kung fu panda." this is another precious memory for them. are you going to wear a cape around? no, mom. i should put it back.

don't bite your lips. (humph!) (wary) how could anyone be mad at her? you look like a scary bear. look at me. kira and anastasia came to korea in 2014. they came to treat kira's cancer. (anastasia, 28) kira has rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer.

she has a tumor on her spinal muscles and nerves. it'll be very hard to treat kira. (they found a large tumor 2 years ago) they found a large tumor when kira was 3 years old. it was hard to give her treatment in russia, so kira and her mother anastasia came to korea for treatment. (anastasia, 28) we started the treatment without her father's help.

it's always just been me and kira. kira's father left his wife and daughter before kira even turned a year old. (hahaha) kira doesn't remember her father. kira, let's go brush your teeth. i'll help you. i'll do it myself. kira is able to do more things

by herself these days. (stomp!) she can put her shoe on with one hand. she must have done this a lot. (that's pretty good) you can do it by yourself now. (pretty good, right?) (no more playing around) good job, kira.

when anastasia sees kira so used to the hospital, she feels proud and sorry at the same time. mom, i want to pee. she's only 5 years old. kira is enduring a lot. mom, i got a shot here. and here. and i got one here, too.

right. my poor girl, they gave you so many shots. (anastasia feels so bad for her young daughter) they'll have a ct scan performed today to check kira's condition. remember what you rode last time? you hold your breath and exhale. mom, i just do this? yes. it's just taking a picture, right?

right! she's done this many times, but it's still scary for 5-year-old kira. if it doesn't work, we'll put the girl to sleep. we're not putting her to sleep. kira, we have to take 10 ct scans. you know how it works. it'll hurt once the medicine goes in. tell her to tell us if it hurts.

she knows. (they can confirm the tumor's size and location) they'll check the size and location of the tumor to see if the treatment is going well. kira, sit up. kira, it's over. (over already?) kira, way to hang in there without moving. did it hurt?

nope. - did it hurt? / - nope. i said no. why do you keep asking? (sorry...) (kira's doctor comes in) here come the doctors whom kira fears the most. good job. look at me, please.

(dr. yun huisuk) anastasia is nervous, too. how was her bowel movement? it was okay. her platelet count was low today, so she can leave after a blood transfusion. she got through 3 tough cycles of chemotherapy. come back in 2 days. we'll check for improvements in her spine

through an mri. kira has gone through surgery twice and received chemotherapy dozens of times. doctor, how is she doing? we'll check the results next week and see whether we'll use the same treatment or a different one. (they're in and out of the hospital all the time) they're always in and out of the hospital depending on kira's condition.

she's been in the hospital for so long that they have a lot of luggage. (embarrassed) quiet. put your clothes on. kira is excited to be leaving the hospital for at least a short time. such pretty clothes. kira has to stop somewhere before she leaves. (there he is!)

she's so embarrassed! it's for this man. (kira's man, 30-year-old andre) kira comes here several times to a day to see andre. everyone in the hospital knows about them. (snuggling) are you going to marry him? do you intend to marry her?

no. it'll take forever for her to be old enough. (what a fine couple) will she be able to leave today? that's enough. let's go now. the nice man has to work. let's go. kira only has eyes for andre. kira, enough already! we have to go home. (leave us alone!)

save me! just get married. she says not to open the door. (please pipe down!) doesn't kira like andre a little too much? a gift for you. this is for me? yeah. hold onto him for 2 months. be sure to give him a bath.

oh, right! bathe him and feed him, too. alright. after that long goodbye, kira and anastasia leave the hospital. (with anastasia's friend) we're here. bye, kira. goodbye.

this is not kira's house. kira and anastasia had nowhere to go, so a russian student is letting them stay here. you shouldn't jump now. (sad) let me jump around once. kids should jump. they don't have a stable place to live, so they're always going from the hospital to the apartment.

please put everything back in place. that's why they're always packing and unpacking. kira, time for your medicine. and one more thing. kira must take medicine every day. (so bitter) (i need some water here!) don't put your head down. kira is so playful.

she can't sit still for a moment. you were a crawling baby back then. (kira had blonde hair 2 years ago) kira had a full head of pretty blonde hair 2 years ago. but one thing hasn't changed. it's kira's dream of becoming a ballerina. this is taking your blood with a shot. this is kira at a pizza party.

this is andre. the man kira wants to marry. anastasia posts updates on kira's illness on social media. don't run because of the iv. many people are offering their support to kira. they received a lot of support for the hospital bills, too. (anastasia, 28) i've spent around $300,000 so far.

i'm posting news about kira on social media, and we're getting assistance. they held many charity concerts and events for kira in russia. the korean hospital is giving us a 50% discount. we did this for your birthday, kira. remember? yeah. kira's birthday last year. (happy birthday, kira!)

we watched through skype. remember? (kira's birthday last year) many people got together in russia and held an event for kira. they sent kira the funds they raised with their talents. (many people made donations) kira, let's copy the hospital receipt and post it on social media.

anastasia lets people know how their precious donations are spent. when things get tough for her, this is the first place she asks for help. let's see who can hit each other first. it's way past bedtime, but kira doesn't seem tired at all. anastasia prays that kira can always be happy like this.

(2 days later) they go back to the hospital today. brush your teeth. (i can do it all by myself!) anastasia packs again. she doesn't know how long kira will have to stay, so she has a lot of things to bring. be careful, kira. as soon as they arrive at the hospital,

kira rushes off somewhere. kira, where are you going? (she runs and runs) (looking around) mom, where's andre? i don't know. probably in there. so she's looking for andre. andre. foreigners at our center...

let's go! mom, we're going to the mart. to buy what? i'm not telling. no candy. it's not for me to eat. i'm buying something for you. kira succeeds in getting her mom's credit card. i have work to do now... they're selling candy for white day downstairs.

i guess she wants to get some for her mom. kira, you want to get something for your mom? i want to buy something for you. for your mom? for you. gosh, kira... what's the use of raising a daughter? do you like andre that much? she wants to express her feelings to andre,

who is always so kind to her. what do you want to buy? (this?) take this credit card, but use my card to pay. (are you watching, song joongki?) no wonder kira fell for him. thanks, kira! thanks for buying the candy. it's so big.

this is a lollipop. (anastasia) she's always with andre at the hospital. it's probably because kira never gets to see men. it's always the two of us. she's only been gone for 2 days, but she has to say hello to everyone. no fever. she hasn't seen her friend in a while. (kira's friend gyubin)

it's gyubin, who shares kira's ward. kira hurries at the thought of playing with her friend. (i missed you) (me, too) she even gets a gift. thank you. they take a photo together. they've been friends for a year. how do they communicate?

the happiness ends here. it's time for treatment again. (please don't do that to my other hand) kira says what she needs to even when she's in pain. don't do the other hand? they won't. tell her we won't do more. mom, they're really not going to? she's sticking it on now. ask her if it hurt a lot.

it hurt a lot? tell her i'm sorry. mom, i got through that, though. she says she didn't cry much today. she didn't cry much today. - she really didn't. / - right. i was more nervous today. the doctor was nervous because of the cameras. she says the cameras were on her and not you,

and that you shouldn't have been nervous. i won't let it get to me next time. she's so smart. (that afternoon) i'll take that out, kira. why are you crying? don't cry. hold on. no! they're going to switch it out fast. no, no, no!

they're sterilizing a chemo port to insert in a vein on her shoulder for chemotherapy. my hand really hurts! somebody, help me! i'm fanning you now. mom, you help me, too! one, two, three. no more poking me with shots. they won't. (ouch)

she's not bleeding, right? it hurts. using cotton hurts. mom, are you holding the cotton? yes, i am. (hold it there properly) (it's okay, it's over) way to hang in there, kira. she seems calmer now. mom, did i do a good job?

of course you did. except for when you screamed like a victim. mom, i'm not crying now. mom, did i cry when i was 3 years old? not when you were 3. since you were 4. i'm good at keeping promises, right? sure. you're great at keeping promises. i'll keep doing a good job. yeah, you promised.

i won't play around anymore. all kids play around. she looks like she can't believe it. - even when they're 7? / - yes. - and when they're 8? / - yes. even kira's thoughts are cute. what about when they're 80? not when they're 80. anastasia is thankful and proud

that kira got through her treatment again. (anastasia, 28) kira is afraid of everything now, because it hurts her. it's hard to convince her. i want to give up and cry sometimes, but i can't. the treatments must go on. i'll get through this. kira goes to get barbecue with the hospital staff. she hasn't eaten out in a long time. cheers.

kira loves meat, and she's very excited. kira, eat up. they have marinated pork spareribs. i'm going to eat meat. what's this, natasha? that's kimchi. it's spicy. she's not interested in spicy foods at all. kira's favorite korean foods are marinated pork spareribs and grilled pork belly.

kira, is it good? (korean barbecue is the best!) thanks to the hospital staff who look after kira, korea doesn't feel too unfamiliar to anastasia and kira now. you have to cover the top with this. kira's wraps are a bit unique. the people watching just laugh. (that's not how you eat it)

(universal ballet in gwangjin, seoul) kira wants to become a ballerina. she finally comes to a ballet company. (the ballet company is rehearsing) what is kira thinking as she watches the flying ballerina? (totally absorbed) hi. how are you? you're pretty.

ballerina margaret is today's teacher. i have a pretty little princess dress. there's a ribbon, too. yes, a ribbon. like it? she gets to put on a tutu that she loves. (turning into a little ballerina) she even puts on ballet shoes. kira, show us a pretty dance. (should we try dancing too?)

i've always wanted to become a ballerina. but you're one now. look at your dress. you're even wearing the shoes. they're cute. (stepping) kira seems very nervous. (on her toes) (spin)

kira, it's okay. good. with your heel. good. (so cute) everyone is enamored by kira's ballet. (nice job, kira) (focused, serious) her face is serious like a professional ballerina. i'll lift your hand...

good! (moved) anastasia is pleased to see kira do ballet. she wants to treasure this memory a long time. (anastasia wants to remember this a long time) will you work hard to become a ballerina? try hard. you're good. you're a real ballerina. i'm already 4 years old. you're all grown up.

everything will work out, pretty girl. this is how you bow. give your teacher a hug. kira, i hope you become a ballerina. (teacher, thank you!) (anastasia, 28) i wish she could go to school and be healthy like normal kids. i want her to get married and have kids. as a mother, i want her to have a normal childhood.

(that night) kira, don't shake your legs. (kira is back in the hospital) we wish she could always be smiling like this. but kira needs treatment again. careful that you don't hit your head. she has to take this medicine and fall asleep. please explain that she has to come down as soon as she falls asleep.

don't cry. or else they'll give you anesthesia like last time. for this examination, kira needs to take sleeping medicine. you'll get in trouble if the medicine goes somewhere strange. (gulp) kira is such a good girl. mom, tell me a story.

of course i will. all done. come here. i'll tell you a story now. please open the door and turn the lights off. now kira has to fall asleep fast. mom, tell me "beauty and the beast" first. next, tell me a story about "maleficent." after "sleeping beauty," tell me a monster story. anastasia tells the stories kira asked of her. (dreaming of the fairy tale world)

kira falls asleep dreaming of fairy tales. (kira is asleep) they head to the examination room right away. (anastasia takes kira in for an mri) now they'll check on the tumor using an mri. even the slightest movement will ruin the readout, so most children are put to sleep

when going through this examination. the examination goes on for close to an hour. anastasia stays by kira's side in case she wakes up. anastasia has never left kira's side for 2 years straight. she prays again today that kira can gain the strength to overcome her illness. put this blanket on her. she sweated a lot.

kira looks very tired. it was another long day for kira, and it's finally over now. kira, don't be sick in your dreams, and run around all you want. (a few days later) an unfamiliar man visits kira's ward. the man greets kira happily. it's anastasia's coworker from russia.

how is work? tell me. things are going well at the company. but i don't know if they're going to hire you again. they already got a replacement, and that person is pretty good at the job. not as good as you, of course. anastasia applied for leave at her company in russia to look after kira in korea.

but she doesn't know if she can get her job back, since she's been away for so long. (leaving the hospital) after 2 days, kira is ready to leave the hospital. she needs to scrape together money from here and there to pay the hospital bills. for 2 days of examinations and treatments, the hospital bill came out to $2,200. you're out of money, right?

how long will they be able to last? she only has around $400 left in her russian account. it's not nearly enough for the hospital bill. she checks a different account just in case. not much money in this account, either. ($18.13) aren't you worried about not having enough money? i am. (kim natalia, hospital staff) she's always worrying about how she'll pay the bills the next day.

(anastasia) i really worry. i don't know what to do. there's another expensive examination on monday. i have to pull the money together over the weekend. (staff) do you think you can get it this weekend? i have to try. (that evening) what should i put in the soup? macaroni? anastasia has to pay hospital bills and living expenses while alone in an unfamiliar country.

but she can't let kira see that she's struggling. (kira's favorite lamb doll) mom, he's crying because he broke his hand. goodness. his tummy hurts, too. to kira, does the doll seem to be in pain? kira, don't do that. but kira doesn't stop. kira, i'll take it away.

please let me stick this on him. (sigh) (pat, pat) it's okay. you won't cry. you'll do a good job. he's too young not to cry. anastasia tries to understand kira. he wants to be healthy. tell him to get better fast. mom, don't you feel bad for him?

- really? / - yeah. kira and anastasia have endured multiple tough obstacles in an unfamiliar land facing this scary reality. there. good job. anastasia gets ready to bathe kira before bed. mom. you can't play when you're all dirty. (i hate you, mom!)

kira gets upset all of a sudden. i don't want to wash up. all kids have to wash up. you, too. it looks like this won't be easy. i don't like changing clothes. come here and change clothes. don't make me angry. i want to stay sitting down. change clothes.

i want to stay sitting down! i said to change clothes! i'm tired of everything. anastasia is as exhausted as kira. come here. this may seem like normal whining from a 5-year-old, but it really breaks anastasia's heart. she understands how hard it is for kira. anastasia is kira's guardian angel.

(jongno-gu, seoul) the next day, kira and anastasia are in jongno. are we buying gold? are they really here to buy gold? give it to me. hold on. where'd it go? it's in the front. she looks for something in the bag. what's this? we want to sell this.

you want to sell this? they're not here to buy gold. they're selling gold to use for the hospital bills. is this a diamond? it's a diamond. anastasia has cherished the ring and these earrings, and they're all she has now. (he thoroughly appraises the jewelry...) how much do you think you'll get?

around $700. i have to sell it. i don't need a ring. i need money. (how much will she get?) will anastasia get as much as she predicted? (both excited and worried) the owner appraises the jewelry and shows her the price. oh, no... it's half of what she expected. (disappointed and worried)

this is a low-quality diamond. the cutting isn't good, and it has blemishes. that's why it's low-quality. if it was higher quality, i could offer more money. i imagined it would stay on my finger. but she has no choice. $357, okay? (nods) anastasia needs money right away to pay

the hospital bills and living expenses. she decides to use the money on urgent expenses. bye-bye. kira and anastasia are busy in the morning. should we go in two trips? we can do it in one. let's just do it in one. will all this luggage fit? they have to move out of this apartment and look for another place to stay.

so much stuff. (anastasia, 28) we stayed at the home of a friend i met in korea and at the hospital interpreter's house. kira and anastasia have nowhere to go when they leave the hospital. i'm so excited! they find a small rental room near the hospital. (a room with a kitchen)

the most important condition is that the place needs a kitchen, so anastasia can cook for kira. (she always has kitchenware to cook for kira) that's why anastasia always has to carry around kitchenware as well as clothes. (anastasia) we'll stay here until friday. we have nowhere to go after that. i just hope that the day comes when i won't

have to worry about our lodging or our future. (the day the examination results come out) they'll get the results of the examination now. how much did kira's health improve? (anastasia, 28) with all the tough times and treatments she's been through, i think the tumor should be halved now. we'll tell you the results of the many examinations. (dr. yun huisuk) this is a ct scan of her stomach.

to tell you the results, the tumor shrank slightly from 13mm to 10 or 11mm. it shrank by around 10%. so her treatment now is effective. so i think we should examine her again after 3 more cycles of chemotherapy. this is good news. anastasia is disappointed to learn that the tumor didn't shrink as much as she expected.

how long can we put off treatment? anastasia suddenly asks about stopping treatment. what's going on? i have to go home. we can afford treatment after saving up more money. she's all out of money. wouldn't it be better to get money together and continue treatments? is there any guarantee i can get money in korea?

where do i go if she shows no progress after 3 cycles of chemotherapy? if treatment stops now, will the cancer spread? if we stop treatment, it'll spread rapidly throughout her body. (no way to stop or continue) they can't stop or continue the treatments. will she able to endure the chemotherapy? kira has been doing well, and so has her mother.

but if her treatment stops now, all the treatment she got so far will become useless. (anastasia is trying her best to save her daughter) she'd never let kira see her cry, but she sheds tears at this difficult news. (dr. yun huisuk) i can't tell her that it's hopeful. at most, she has a 20 to 30% chance of surviving. i told the guardian that she shouldn't lose hope and should continue with the treatment,

as we might be able to control this using radiation and an anticancer drug we didn't use before. (how much more treatment does she need?) anastasia regains her strength as she looks at kira's face. i thought they'd tell us that she got a lot better. (anastasia) i wanted good news, but she needs more radiation and chemotherapy. i'm hoping she'll be a lot better afterwards.

is it a special day today? do you know what we're doing today? we're going to marry you off, kira. (excited) the hospital staff is putting on an event for kira to give her courage. you're a very pretty bride. it's a wedding for kira. kira is dressed like a bride

with a pretty dress and hairband. so who's the groom? as expected, it's andre. kira, what day is today? my wedding. your wedding? with who? with andre. do you love the groom? someone should tell the groom soon.

you're getting married today, andre. the groom-to-be realizes it all too late. congratulations on your wedding. he's soon to be married. he seems very flustered. the bride finally comes in. everyone waits with anticipation for the bride. (ta-da!) kira has become the most beautiful april bride.

how could you not fall for such a lovely bride? (congratulations) kiss! kiss! kira and andre, congratulations on getting married. kira and anastasia came to korea looking for hope. we'll be rooting for them so that they get through these tough times. hang in there, kira. that was the most beautiful and touching wedding.

i'm so envious that she got married before i did. congratulations. do you like, andre? (smiles) looks like she's still shy. i'm not answering that! she doesn't want to answer? but she already gave it away. she's so pretty when she talks, too.

"i'm not answering that!" (kira laughs) you got her to relax. i'm great at acting cute for kids. doing stuff like this... kira! the woman next to kira is kim natalia who works at the international center of the hospital kira goes to.

- hello. / - hello. good to be here. you two must've gotten close. kira lived at my place for a bit. i'm the only one anastasia can talk to. so... what do kira and anastasia want most? (i want to be a ballerina) you want to become a ballerina? - i bet she'd be good. / - she's so pretty.

it's you, kira! how cute! it looks like you, kira. (anastasia, 28) she's liked dancing ever since she first learned to walk. she dances and jumps around every day. you have to eat well to become a pretty ballerina. promise me you will! eat up and grow tall. and don't be sick.

kira knows that ballerinas diet. i don't think she'll ever eat a lot. (oops!) (that was funny) let's have kira take a little break outside while we talk more with anastasia. see you in a bit, kira. exit like a ballerina. be like a ballerina.

(coy) we saw pretty kira, who dreams of being a ballerina. but she has to beat her cancer first. how is kira's condition now? (anastasia, 28) she's had two operations. i was only planning on her getting one, but a tumor grew somewhere else, so she got surgery again, and now she's getting radiation and chemotherapy.

so she's had surgery and chemotherapy. i bet the operations were expensive. i saw that she sold gold to scrape money together. isn't it a huge burden? how do you plan on getting through this? (anastasia) we got a loan from the hospital. we're getting help from the hospital and people in both russia and korea. anastasia has used up all of her own money.

she has no money now, so she stopped treatments. so the hospital and center staff members all chipped in a little to help out. she's so fortunate to have you all. it must've been a hard choice to come to korea. and i know it's got to be hard to live here. even though she doesn't show it much... what's hardest about being by your sick child? it's hardest when she cries because it hurts.

(it breaks anastasia's heart when kira is in pain) i know you don't want to let kira see you cry. i could tell onscreen. you never sobbed loudly at all. that was heartbreaking for me. is there anything you want to say to kira? (anastasia) i don't console kira. she consoles me. she goes right back to playing after a painful shot. so i'm trying to hang in there.

i try to act like i'm okay, but it's really hard. she has to become a ballerina. we've only been talking about tough times, but a child can also make you happy. when are you most happy? (anastasia, 28) kira has a very cute smile, and she expresses herself like an adult sometimes. she sings and dances, too. kira is a beautiful child.

we all agree that she's a beautiful child. i saw that despite being scared and in pain, she's so brave in the hospital. i think many people in korea will take an interest and help out. you never know. kira might become a world-class ballerina. (kira shows up again!)

isn't she cold? what was she doing outside with her jacket off? you were out there running around? where did you go? i ate 5 pieces of candy outside. (i'm happy i ate candy) she came in feeling great. her child is sick, and it must be so hard on her,

but anastasia looks so happy when she has kira next to her. i think as long as anastasia stays strong, kira will be brave, too. and get better sooner. kira, you can beat any illness if you stay strong, so hang in there and listen to your mom. be strong. and i'm sure you'll become a ballerina.

besides a miracle, they need our love and interest. if anyone wants to make a donation, visit our show's website or contact their hospital. they're waiting for your love. i hope for much happier times in kira's future. how about we wrap up today by shouting, "let's go, kira?" kira, hang in there.

kira, let's go! (we'll be rooting for kira's family) we'll see you next time on my neighbor, charles. (next episode) hello. (jan from the netherlands) a dutch waffle. (he'll be a father in korea in 10 days!) how old does the baby need to be for this? your mom didn't have this, so you're fine.

(and...) it's okay. no! so dusty. (jan from the netherlands becomes a dad in korea!)