Minneapolis continues to help ailing children from Ukraine (02/24/02)

Minneapolis continues to help ailing children from Ukraine

by Dr. Peter Popadiuk

MINNEAPOLIS - Ten years have passed since the Ukrainian community in Minneapolis first sponsored a seriously ill Ukrainian child for a free medical care.

Thanks to the initiative of local physician Dr. Michael Kozak, and the parishioners of St. Constantine's Church, where the Rev. Stephen Knapp was pastor, a committee was organized to help children who were suffering as result of the Chornobyl nuclear explosion. Shortly thereafter $5,000 was collected and donated to the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund based in Short Hills, N.J.

Dr. Kozak then established contact with various local medical establishments and secured free medical care in Minneapolis for the ailing children of Ukraine. At first, there were some financial difficulties with transportation and room and board. However, this obstacle was quickly overcome thanks to the generosity of many local Ukrainians, as well as non-Ukrainians.

The first child provided with help was Olha K., who was seriously ill and required highly specialized medical care. She was unable to receive such care in her native Ukraine because of lack of proper medical technology and drugs.

Olha arrived in Minneapolis with her mother in the fall of 1990. Their lodging was provided at a house owned by St. Constantine's Parish. Olha received free medical care at North Memorial Medical Center, and living expenses were covered by the recently established temporary fund. To obtain those funds, a group of parishioners under the leadership of Dmitro Tataryn organized a series of social events.

It was not long before the local news media reported the arrival of Olha and her mother from Ukraine. This caused wide interest in her medical struggle and many physicians freely offered their medical skills. Transportation for many weekly hospital treatments and visits to doctors was provided by Dr. Kozak's wife, Lidia.

In the early 1990s the Rev. Knapp retired and the Rev. Michael Stelmach took his place. The Rev. Stelmach showed great interest in the care of these children and always took great care to make their stay in Minneapolis as comfortable as possible.

With the arrival of more children, it became necessary to establish a permanent foundation at the local Ukrainian credit union under the sponsorship of St. Constantine's Parish.

Deep appreciation is due to Ukrainian publications - The Ukrainian Weekly, Svoboda, America and The New Star - for publishing appeals for donations. There was tremendous response on the part of several organizations and many individuals. Great financial support was provided by the local choir, Dnipro, under the direction of Kira Tsarehradsky, the Ukrainian Church Ladies Association, under the leadership of Nina Chorewych and Claudia Korsun, The Chornobyl Committee of Washington, under the leadership of Danusia Wasylkiwskyj, attorney Arthur Belendiuk of Washington and many others. The Shriners Temple provided tremendous financial support under the guidance of John Dennis and his colleagues.

In the fall of 1996, Mykola Megits, a newly arrived immigrant from Ukraine, suggested that the local Ukrainian community honor Dr. Kozak and his colleagues with a banquet recognizing their kind efforts. The banquet was held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, with over 300 guests in attendance. A special recognition award was presented to Dr. Kozak by a representative of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago. Proceeds from this event substantially increased the funds available to take care of the living expenses of the children and their mothers who arrived in Minneapolis for medical treatment.

Children who required facial plastic surgery were treated at North Memorial Medical Center, and those with orthopedic problems at Shriners Hospital for Children. To date, 20 children have been successfully treated. Their stays varied in duration from six to 12 months. Some of them had to return a year later for follow-up care.

Local activists are happy to report that the first patient, Olha K., and the children who followed her, are doing very well.

There are still many children waiting for the opportunity to receive medical care in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, because of a change in rules regarding foreign patients, no new admissions will be provided to Shriners Hospital.

At present, a 10-year old girl from Odesa will soon undergo facial surgery at a local hospital. Dr. Kozak continues to find new resources to provide more free medical care for the needy children of Ukraine.

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