Infoworld magazine recently posted this request. I hope you'll read it and help out if you can. Imagine if this was your son, grandson, or nephew. Visit the link at the end for ways of donating. Thanks.

Andrii Nikitin, a MySQL support engineer located in Ukraine, has asked for help from MySQLers and I've decided to open this up to the community at large. Andrii's son Ivan, who is 2 1/2, is in need of a bone marrow transplant operation. This will require going to a clinic in Europe that will not be covered by regular insurance. So Andrii has aksed to see if we could help raise funds. The cost is expected to be $150,000 - $250,000. A huge amount for an engineer from Ukraine to cover.

Many MySQLers have kicked in to help out, but more is needed. Ivan's health has taken a turn for the worse recently and the issue is now quite pressing. This is an instance where if many people chip in and work together, we can make a huge difference in one person's life. It may even make the difference between life and death for Ivan.

I hope some of you who use MySQL or have young children will join me in making a donation today.