CHORNOBYL: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund streamlines its life-saving mission

by Andrew Nynka

SHORT HILLS, N.J. - Fifteen years after the disaster at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (CCRF) celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding convention and continues to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine's needy.

According to CCRF co-founder and board of directors liaison Nadia Matkiwsky, the fund's initial plan was "to help with the immediate health risks" that were directly associated with the fallout of radiation from the reactor's meltown. The initial response was formed as a result of a "very emotional reaction on the part of CCRF towards the environmental catastrophe."

When asked about the change in focus of CCRF's work during its 10-year-plus period of existence, Mrs. Matkiwsky stressed that "as the years progressed and medical problems increased, we've become more focused towards what our needs are, more focused on neonatology and more focused and streamlined as we realized the problem in Ukraine, specifically with infant mortality." She added that CCRF's efforts are now aimed at "dealing with newborn infants who have suffered from the radiation fallout."

Experts have realized that the full extent of the tragedy would only come to light over time. CCRF's efforts now have "shifted from the aftermath in Chornobyl to all of Ukraine - helping all of the relocated victims who have spread out across all of Ukraine." Mrs. Matkiwsky explained.

Mrs. Matkiwsky stressed that "Ukraine is a modern, progressive and well- educated country, but is struggling with an inadequate infrastructure." She added that Ukraine is not in need of simple donations of second- or third-hand items, but of quality equipment that is necessary in order to implement the current Western medical instruction its professionals have been recieving since the country gained independence in 1991.

Mrs. Matkiwsky underlined the role CCRF now plays in improving the medical and societal infrastructure in Ukraine through activities such as installing the first U.S.-built magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system in Ukraine (at the Kyiv Emergency Hospital and Trauma Center), modernizing seven neonatal intensive care units with respirators, transport incubators and pulse oximeters, and establishing a state-of-the-art blood diagnostic laboratory at the Lviv Regional Specialized Pediatric Clinic in Ukraine.

As an organization receiving donations from the public, CCRF wants to dispell the myth of corruption. "Just as in a marriage between two individuals, partners must choose wisely," Mrs. Matkiwsky said. It is the responsibility of the organization to carefully evaluate its beneficiaries to ensure that aid given is used in an honest manner. She emphasized: "We carefully select our aid recipients."

CCRF's founders have testified as expert witnesses before Congressional hearings and United Nations forums on the aftermath of the Chornobyl disaster. They were the first U.S. citizens to receive Ukraine's Presidential Medal of Honor and were the winners of the 1995 New Jersey Governor's Volunteer Award.

When asked about the future, Mrs. Matkiwsky replied that CCRF is looking for interested individuals or large corporate sponsors who could help Ukraine develop the infrastructure it badly needs through contacts or donations of modern, high-quality equipment and supplies in order to continue its work for children throughout Ukraine.

Allocation of funds

• 95 percent of CCRF's expenses are allocated for medical programs, humanitarian aid and health education.
  
  
• Only 5 percent of total expenses are allocated for administrative support services.

Since 1990, CCRF has maintained a very high standard of cost-efficiency. For every $1 in donations received, CCRF has delivered $14 worth of in-kind products (medicines, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, hospital supplies) and voluntary services.

For information contact: Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, 272 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills, NJ 07078; telephone, (973) 376-5140.

CCRF's track record

• Twenty-six major airlifts and nine sea shipments with medical aid valued at $45 million delivered to Ukrainian hospitals, maternity centers, clinics and orphanages in 14 oblasts (provinces).
  
  
• Innovative programs to correct life-threatening birth defects.
  
  
• Delivery of life-saving medication and surgical supplies for hundreds of children with thyroid cancer and blood disorders.
  
  
• The finest regional biochemistry laboratory in Eastern Europe certified in 1997.
  
  
• The best-equipped treatment center in Ukraine for children suffering from leukemia and various blood disorders.
  
  
• The first MRI system in Kyiv serving over 10,000 patients.
  
  
• Model neonatal centers in Dnipropetrovsk, Lutsk, Lviv and Chernihiv.
  
  
• Physicians' training program for specialists in neonatology, pediatrics, cardiac and orthopedic surgery, radiology and other specialties.
  
  
• State-of-the-art cancer screenings for over 6,000 patients.
  
  
• Publication of health booklets and community outreach programs to educate young mothers on proper prenatal care.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, April 22, 2001, No. 16, Vol. LXIX

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