Boy with Unique Gene Mutation Needs $600,000 to Continue Treatment
Kosta Lešević is the only patient in the world with a unique gene mutation. To continue treatment in Barcelona, $600,000 must be paid today.
Kosta Lešević is the only patient in the world with a unique gene mutation. To continue treatment in Barcelona, $600,000 must be paid today.
Kosta Lešević, a boy who has been battling an extremely rare disease since he was 17 months old, is the only patient in the world with this genetic change, according to current knowledge of doctors and scientists. To continue his treatment, $600,000 must be paid, with the deadline falling today, August 17, 2026.
After contracting COVID-19, Kosta lost all motor and verbal functions. Following extensive diagnostics, it was determined that the boy has a unique gene mutation. His mother, Nevena Bogdanović, recounted how they traveled to many countries and consulted top experts in search of hope.
"In search of hope, we traveled to many countries and consulted the best specialists. After years of fighting, I managed to get in touch with scientists who agreed to develop a personalized gene therapy specifically for Kosta. The cost of this unique drug is three million US dollars," Bogdanović told N1 Serbia.
Initially, Kosta was scheduled to receive the drug at the end of July 2026, but administrative procedures and a lack of funds delayed the therapy until February 2027. To resume production and treatment, $600,000 must be paid.
Kosta is currently in Barcelona, where he arrived in late April 2026 for hip surgery. After the operation, serious complications arose, and he has been in the hospital for three months, moving between the intensive care unit and the regular ward. Due to unforeseen circumstances, about 130,000 euros have been allocated from the budget for his treatment, nearly exhausting the collected funds.
On August 11, 2026, two young men from Novi Sad, Sava Branković and his college colleague, set off on a charity hike to Ostrog for Kosta. "We love challenges and adventures, and we decided to make this trip for a charitable cause so that as many people as possible donate money and little Kosta can receive his therapy," Branković told N1 Serbia.
You can help Kosta by sending an SMS with the number 1331 to 3030, or by donating to the dinar account 160-6000001468113-92 or the foreign currency account 160-6000001468086-76. For international donations, the IBAN is RS35160600000146808676 and the SWIFT/BIC code is DBDBRSBG.
