There are stories that are not written to move. They are written because they need to be told. So that no one is left alone to struggle without support.
Ariadne Neophytou is five years old from Limassol. A child with enormous reserves of strength and silent stubbornness. Her parents Julius and Lucia and her brother Marios are by her side constantly. A hardworking, stable family that suddenly found itself living with the anxiety of the next crisis and the next day.
What is MOGHE?
Ariadne was diagnosed with MOGHE, an extremely rare brain malformation that causes intractable epilepsy. It is not hereditary. It is not the result of some “mistake” on the part of the parents. It is a random mosaic event during brain development in pregnancy — a small group of cells that differentiated differently.
In the international literature, approximately 50 cases have been recorded worldwide. For many doctors, it is a diagnosis they never encounter in their careers. It is often confirmed only after surgery, when the brain tissue is examined. There are no adequate studies, nor a clear treatment protocol. Each child reacts differently. Every decision is a heavy responsibility.
The surgeries – and the fight for life
The little girl underwent three surgeries in Israel to remove malformations. The seizures temporarily decreased, but then returned.
He was then referred to California at UCLA and has been there since June 2025.
In August 2025, when the seizures became prolonged and life-threatening, an emergency corpus callosotomy with LITT was performed. This surgery was not done to stop the seizures, but to save her life. The goal was to limit the spread of the seizures between the two hemispheres of the brain, to reduce the immediate risk and then carefully plan the next possible solutions.
The malformation cannot be completely removed, as part of it is located in a functional area of the brain. Ariadne is now in a rehabilitation phase, which is expected to last 6–12 months. During this time, she is closely monitored with repeated video-EEGs, because a child's brain evolves, develops, and changes.
The initial plan and reason found in America for the possible application of the Responsive Neurostimulation System (RNS) will depend on this very course of rehabilitation and how brain development will take shape. The next steps will be planned based on the new data that will emerge.
The evaluation is carried out at UCLA, one of the few centers worldwide with experience in such cases and application of innovative neurostimulation technologies.
Every week brings new evidence and requires a new decision.
The everyday life behind medical data
The Republic of Cyprus covers surgical procedures and preoperative check-ups. However, the real battle is fought daily outside the operating room and outside the hospital.
Specialized outpatient speech therapies, occupational therapies, physical therapies, specialized developmental and neurological monitoring, nutrition, transportation, ongoing medical evaluations. At the same time, Ariadne needs special pharmaceutical preparations that support brain development — drugs that are only available in the United States and are extremely expensive.
The parents have stopped working. They have been in America since June with her 9-year-old brother. Their lives have been put on hold. Not by choice but by necessity.
An organized support network
The full coordination of the financial support has been undertaken by the Alkinoos Artemios Foundation, within the framework of Fundraising License No. N/P 03/2026, ensuring full transparency and a legal process.
Our goal is clear:
The family should have the space to think only about their child.
Ariadne doesn't just ask for a miracle. She asks for time, space, and a chance for healing.
And in moments like these, society shows and must show who it is.
When we become a link, we don't just save a family from an unbearable financial burden. We preserve the belief that "no child struggles alone."
Each of us's little can become a huge collective lot.
So give your little to help us achieve the impossible.
Contributions are made to the fundraising account:
Alpha Bank
Account Name: ERANOS YPER IDR.ALK.ARTEMIOU NP 03/2026
IBAN: CY76 0080 0104 0000 0000 0303 3911
SWIFT code : PIRBCY2N
*In the transfer details, please include the child's name: Ariadne Neophytou
