Viktor Petrenko visits new neonatal center in his hometown (12/02/01)

Viktor Petrenko visits new neonatal center in his hometown

ODESA - The Odesa Regional Children's Hospital in southern Ukraine on October 22 welcomed Olympic and world champion Viktor Petrenko at the grand opening of the new infant care unit re-named in his honor. The Viktor Petrenko Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology delivered by the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (CCRF) and purchased with the help of over $100,000 in funds raised at the "Viktory for Kids" charity ice skating show.

In March of this year, Mr. Petrenko mobilized an impressive array of international skating stars, including Brian Boitano and Sasha Cohen, to raise funds for CCRF at the International Skating Center in Simsbury, Conn.

Over the past seven months, CCRF worked with the Odesa hospital to completely remodel and sanitize the ward that houses the neonatal unit. As part of its 28th airlift last May, the fund delivered and installed some of the most advanced technology available to treat newborn children suffering from respiratory complications, low birth weight and various birth defects. The equipment includes Bear Cub respirators, Novametrix pulse oxymeters, an infant warmer and other critical care components.

Following a noontime press conference, Mr. Petrenko toured the facility, where he was greeted with bouquets of roses and warm embraces from the hospital staff. Accompanied by Dr. Ihor Symonenko, the director of the Neonatal Ward, and CCRF Executive Director Alexander Kuzma, Mr. Petrenko had the opportunity to observe newborn infants undergoing treatment with the help of the equipment funded by his "Viktory for Kids" initiative.

"Winning a world championship was an important part of my life," said Mr. Petrenko, "But this is becoming a new and equally important part of my life's work. Odesa is where I grew up, where I learned to skate, where many of my friends and family live. I'm just glad that I could give back something meaningful to my hometown in addition to an Olympic medal."

The chief doctor of the Odesa Hospital, Dr. Alexander Liman, thanked Mr. Petrenko and the CCRF for the outstanding quality of the equipment provided. "Since I've been the director here, we have had many influential people come through this hospital - many politicians and businessmen, especially during election campaigns. They promised us a great many things, but never delivered anything. Viktor Petrenko came here and promised us nothing, but look at the wonderful gift he has brought our poor children."

Dr. Liman admitted: "Our city fathers may be angry with me for saying this, but this is the truth, and we can only hope that other people of good will can come forward to follow this champion's example."

During a reception hosted by the pediatric wing of the hospital, Mr. Petrenko toasted the early success of the neonatal unit: "I am very pleased with what I saw today. I want to thank Dr. Liman and Dr. Symonenko and all the good people at the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund for their hard work in making this dream a reality." Mr. Petrenko also met with mothers in the hospital's maternity ward, who were clearly delighted to receive a visit from such a local yet international celebrity.

After his hospital visit, Mr. Petrenko invited CCRF representatives to visit the humble ice skating rink where he first learned to skate and to train for the Olympics. This skating center was also the training ground for other champions such as Oksana Baiul, Viacheslav Zagorodniuk and Ms. Cohen. Upon his arrival, Mr. Petrenko was greeted by a group of very young skaters who are just beginning to learn their first figure skating maneuvers.

Mr. Petrenko commented: "Maybe with the help of this neonatal unit Odesa can begin to produce more Olympic champions who are not yet born."

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