| About the Fund from
the fund's president Zenon Matkiwsky:
The Children of Chornobyl
Relief Fund was founded because of a need to help Chornobyl’s victims,
especially the children. Eighteen years following the Chornobyl catastrophe,
that need has not diminished but instead, grown more urgent. As Ukraine’s
population continues to decrease, we must work harder to save children’s
lives and protect the country’s future.
In November of 1989, during
the first visit to Ukraine since our departure as children, my wife Nadia
and I were appalled to discover a health delivery system whose medical
technologies and practices were 70 years behind the Western world. I was
struck by the emptiness of the hospitals and the lack of supplies and medications.
In particular, I noted that the people and chil dren throughout Ukraine
seemed to be in a hopeless state. The need was great, so we acted by organizing
humanitarian aid air lifts. The plea that was sent to major corporations,
pharmaceutical companies and individuals was met with an overwhelming response.
In the past 15 years, your support has enabled the Fund to deliver over
$51 million worth of medical aid to Ukraine.
From its inception, the
Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund vowed to dedicate its efforts to saving
the lives of children. Consequently, our programs focus on the pediatric
fields of cancer treatment, endocrinology, prenatal and neonatal intensive
care, and the early diagnosis of infant cardiac birth defects. Our goal
is to provide quality assistance to Ukraine’s smallest citi zens and the
physicians who care for them. The aid delivered by the Fund comes primarily
in the form of medical equipment and supplies to partner hospitals, the
organization of physician training programs and seminars, and the translation
and publica tion of current medical literature.
The Children of Chornobyl
Relief Fund’s medical programs are designed to treat the maximum number
of children with our available budget. For instance, the same amount of
money that it costs to bring one child to the U.S. can cover the cost for
a piece of equipment that will effectively diagnose and treat hundreds
of children in Ukraine. Considering the Fund’s limited resources, this
solution is ideal and has allowed the Fund to make the best use of its
aid.
The Children of Chomobyl
Relief Fund has an obligation to continue its medical programs because
the organization’s efforts make a positive difference. In the neonatology
centers where we supplied substantial aid, the infant mortality was reduced
between 45-80%. Until such time as Ukrainian hospitals can provide for
their own needs and become self-sufficient, the Fund will continue to fulfill
a critical role, creating a higher standard of care and supplying health
care providers with the tools they need to save children’s lives.
All of our work and successes
would not be possible without the enormous help and generosity of our constituents
and donors. I truly appreciate the people who trust us to make a difference
and continue to support us because without them, the Children of Chornobyl
Relief Fund could not exist. In particular, I thank the Board of Directors,
the Executive Committee, the Chapters and all the volunteers for their
persistent and determined enthusiasm to help the children of Ukraine. I
want to impress upon you the importance of your gifts and to assure you
that we are doing everything in our power to maximize the value of your
donation. Fortunately, Ukraine’s newfound freedom has allowed many of our
donors to travel to our partner hospitals where they have seen first-hand
the impact of their donations. As Ukraine’s skating champion Viktor Petrenko
told the audience during the Viktory for Kids Fundraiser in October of
2003, “Your money goes to the right place and you are working with the
right peo ple.” We are humbled and grateful for Viktor’s praise and I hope
that through my expression, I have conveyed my gratitude for your support.
Our greatest reward is to
see a healthy child, smiling and full of life, when just a few months earlier
that same child was in a hopeless state, waiting for the terminal stage
of a threatening illness. I have seen so many of these children, and they
inspire me to continue my work in Ukraine. On my trip in 1989, 1 promised
that I would do my best to help. Your generosity has enabled the Children
of Chornobyl Relief Fund to keep its promises, and we are grateful for
your continuing support to bring new hope and healing to Ukraine’s children
and their families.
Zenon Matkiwsky
President
|
