Since the very beginning of the conflict, the Herosi Foundation has been providing assistance to the youngest Ukrainian cancer patients, and our activities continue uninterrupted to this day. A huge, coordinated effort that provides assistance to Ukrainian families suffering from two serious events at the same time: a child’s cancer diagnosis and the ongoing war in the country.
Shortly after the first bombs fell, colleagues from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and ALSAC contacted our foundation to ask if we would join the effort to coordinate and transport hundreds of seriously ill children with cancer who were fleeing Russian attacks in their homeland, often with only the things they could carry.
The mobilization of St. Jude Global Alliance members led to the creation of the SAFER Ukraine initiative. Thus began the difficult task of ensuring continuity of treatment for all children with cancer in Ukraine.
As soon as the war broke out, the evacuation of children requiring urgent treatment was a key activity. Thanks to the involvement of the foundation, it was possible to transport young patients to specialized hospitals around the world. A triage center was established in Poland and we organized buses, trains, cars, ambulances, and planes to safely transport children and their families to specialist clinics in Poland, Europe, Canada, and the United States. What began as evacuations of small groups turned into large convoys with long lines of ambulances and buses, and eventually into rail convoys.
The assistance system developed by SAFER Ukraine, in which the Herosi Foundation has participated from the beginning, has become a model for the evacuation of patients in other conflict regions, including the Gaza Strip and Syria. The effective organization and safe transport of oncological children has been appreciated by international organizations such as WHO and Unicef and was presented at the European Parliament.
Since the beginning of the war, we have been a leading partner of the SAFER Ukraine initiative, working closely with the Ukrainian Tabletochki foundation, which is the largest organization providing assistance to Ukrainian children with cancer. The war has been going on for 3 years now and although evacuations are not so numerous at the moment, unfortunately, they are sometimes caused by a lack of medicines. There are 3 leading children's centers in Ukraine that treat cancer, but over the past few months there has been an increasing shortage of not only medicines but also basic medical supplies. Our cooperation with the Tabletochki foundation is crucial because we are sure that the aid reaches those most in need and Tabletochki guarantees the proper distribution of the donated medicines and medical supplies.
After three years of conflict, the situation of Ukrainian pediatric oncology is difficult. Many medical resources, including medicines and equipment, are directed first to the areas most affected by war destruction. International transport is difficult, and local factories of medicines and medical supplies often do not operate or have been destroyed. All this means that children with cancer may be left without key treatment or forced to evacuate.
Additionally:
• Oncology patients are particularly vulnerable to infections and dangerous war conditions.
• Support in the form of providing medicines and medical supplies is more effective and less expensive than any evacuation of the patient.
• When treating in Ukraine, we avoid separating families, it is possible to support entire families, there are no difficulties with communication - therefore access to medicines on site is crucial.
There is a lack of basic cytostatics, infusion fluids, sterile dressings, gauze and syringes and many others. Without them, hospitals implement some substitute methods, not always equally effective. Access to medicines is crucial to saving the lives of children with cancer. Hence our initiative and request for help - every donation brings us closer to ensuring that they continue their treatment locally in Ukraine
Although three years have passed since the outbreak of the war, the situation of many children with cancer is still dramatic. They need constant access to medicines, therapy and specialist care. You can help by donating to our fundraiser - every złoty is a step towards saving a life!
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