Publications / Airlifts #22 and #23 Delivers $1.6 Million in Aid

In its latest effort to reduce infant mortality in regions affected by the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, CCRF launched its 22nd and 23rd airlifts on April 28th and May 5th, successfully delivering 31 tons of medicines, medical equipment and supplies to Ukraine, valued over $1.6 million dollars.

These airlifts were coordinated with the United States Department of State and coincided with the thirteenth anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster.

The medical aid was delivered to maternity and pediatric centers in Kyiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Znamyanka, Lviv, Lutsk, Zakarpattia and Mukachevo. The key in-kind donors included Siemens Medical Systems, Catholic Medical Mission Board, International Aid, Rotary Club of Fishkill, NY, Meritage International, Allegiance Healthcare Corp., Becton Dickinson Healthcare Systems, Bristol Myers Squibb, STAT Medical Equipment Corp. and the American

Board of Radiology. Among the most valuable commodities delivered were a Ford ambulance donated by the Rotary Club of Fishkill, NY, neonatal intensive care equipment including incubators, ventilators, infant warmers and monitors with all accessories, ultrasounds and a variety of medications and antibiotics. The ambulance will be used primarily to transport infants with life-threatening respiratory conditions from remote villages in Eastern Volyn to the provincial capital of Lutsk. The eastern areas of Volyn were especially hard-hit by radiation from Chornobyl. This help has given Ukrainian doctors the critical tools they need to combat infant mortality.

CCRF's 22nd and 23rd airlifts and neonatal conference were organized as a continuation of CCRF's long-term commitment to its medical programs in Ukraine. It is our mission to saves as many lives as possible, while at the same time creating a self-sustaining environment for our partner hospitals. Since 1989, CCRF has delivered more than 1,100 tons of medical aid to Ukraine valued at $40 million dollars.

CCRF's donors and partners have helped set these high standards, providing desperately needed medical aid to mothers and children in Ukraine - saving their lives. We thank you for understanding the value of CCRF's assistance as a PVO working in Ukraine for the past ten years, and for helping us provide the desperately needed medical aid to the mothers and children of Ukraine. Thank you for being a part of our medical programs, sharing in our vision, and supporting our mission.