Ukrainian Gift of Life expands efforts to Chicago (10/18/98)

Ukrainian Gift of Life expands efforts to Chicago

GLEN ROCK, N.J. - After making life-saving surgery possible for 21 children at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, Ukrainian Gift of Life (UGL) is hoping to expand its efforts to Rush Hospital in Chicago.

"It is imperative to expand the program to help as many children as possible," stressed Ann Kowal, founding trustee and secretary of UGL, who also serves as one of the pre- and post-operative translators between doctors and parents. She points out that all of the children suffer from defects that would cause an untimely death if not for the technology, as well as donated professional and volunteer services provided in the United States.

Organized two years ago for the purpose of identifying children in Ukraine born with congenital heart defects and transporting them to the U.S. for life-saving surgery, UGL works with other philanthropic groups, in particular Rotary International, to make arrangements with hospitals to provide such surgery for a nominal fee.

UGL has been arranging transportation for these children (accompanied by one parent) since June 1997. The 20th child to benefit from the organization's fund-raising and volunteer efforts has returned to Ukraine and is well on his way to a healthier life. The 21st child, 15-year-old Oleh Huk, has survived a very complex operation and is awaiting release.

George Kuzma, president of Ukrainian Gift of Life, said, "In my wildest dreams I never expected that so many children would be helped in such a short period of time." He recounted how this could not have been accomplished without those willing to contribute generously of their money and time. UGL is staffed solely by volunteers, so all contributions have benefited the children directly.

UGL's program with Chicago's Rotary District 1 and Rush Hospital will create some new needs. "There are no direct flights to Chicago, so the current plan is to have the parent and child fly into New York's JFK airport and stay with a host family until their flight to Chicago and then again before returning to Ukraine," explained UGL Vice-President Marie Hywel.

The organization is expanding its network to include Ukrainian families who would open their homes to the child and mother for a few days in the metropolitan New York-New Jersey area. In the Chicago area, a network of translators to support the host family and hospital staff is being coordinated by Daria and Myron Jarosevych, together with Bishop Michael Wiwchar, spiritual advisor to the Ukrainian Gift of Life, and his staff.

Dr. Henry Issenberg, whose grandparents were born in Ukraine, is a pediatric cardiologist who will travel to Ukraine in support of UGL's objective to bring technology and expertise there. He will first visit Kyiv and then Lviv, where he will work on complex catheterizations and share his experience with Dr. Yuri Ivaniv, Ukrainian Gift of Life's liaison in Ukraine, and Dr. Ivaniv's colleagues.

Another promising opportunity for improving technology in Ukraine's the distribution of the textbook on ultrasonography edited by Drs. Barry B. Goldberg and Holger Petterson to regional hospitals, diagnostic centers and medical libraries in Ukraine. This book has been translated into Ukrainian through the efforts of Dr. Ivaniv and printed through the generosity of Ukrainian American doctors.

Katherine Suchay Kuzma, UGL treasurer, underlined: "It is the good hearts of our Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian people alike who have contributed consistently to help our children that allows us to pursue the opportunities presented to us. Our benefactors not only make personal contributions but they memorialize loved ones and celebrate milestone anniversaries with donations, pursue matching funds from employers and tell their friends about our organization. Although we practice good stewardship to make every dollar count, we are in need of continued support from our contributors and from new sources."

It will cost $60,000 to help the nearly 30 children who are expected during the year beginning November 1. Eleven of those children have already been identified and accepted, and 10 cases are still under review.

"We trust in God's continued blessings and that people will continue to be as generous as the mothers and children have observed them to be," she added, referring to a recent letter from one of the mothers.

Zhenya, mother of 9-year-old Yanna, who was in the U.S. for four months because of complications, wrote: "You and those associated with your organization have become family ... I am humbled to know that so many who didn't even know us would care so much to open their homes, to give us companionship during trying times, and to give so much of their time and energy, as well as money, without expecting anything in return."

Anyone interested in opportunities to assist as a host family or translator or for more information may contact UGL at the address below or call (201) 652-5505. Tax-deductible contributions can be made to: Ukrainian Gift of Life, Suite 333, 233 Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ 07451.

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