News
CCRDF’s 20th Anniversary Celebratory Event Raises $171,000 for the Needs of Kyiv Children’s Hospital
April 26, 2010
Over 200 guests gathered on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Kyiv’s InterContinental Hotel to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the founding of Children of Chornobyl Relief and Development Fund. This charity event’s purpose was to raise funds to purchase life-saving medical equipment for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Kyiv City Clinical Children’s Hospital #2.
The event was attended by diplomats, business elite, and other members of Kyiv’s international community as well as doctors from partner hospitals who have been working with CCRDF for many years. Among the guests was U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John F. Tefft, Deputy Volodymyr Yavorivsky, and actor Bohdan Stupka.
CCRDF’s Country Director Alexa Milanytch was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening.
Individuals who played a major role in the Fund’s development and provided enormous support to CCRDF throughout many years were distinguished with awards.
Ukraine’s Deputy Volodymyr Yavorivsky was honored with CCRDF’s Humanitarian Award. Deputy Yavorivsky, one of the founding fathers of the organization, initiated the work of CCRDF and supported it throughout the past 20 years. Dr. Zenon Matkiwsky, who presented the award to Mr. Yavorivsky, said: “It has been twenty years since I first met this dynamic patriot of Ukraine – an individual whose concern is the wellbeing of his people – and I remember the statement he made at the Washington Press Club saying, ‘Without healthy children, Ukraine as a nation has no future.’ This statement prompted our [Dr. and Mrs. Matkiwsky] immediate reaction.”
Accepting the award, Deputy Yavorivsky said, “During my first visit to the United States back in 1989, I appealed to Dr. Zenon and Nadia Matkiwsky with an urgent request to help the children in Ukraine suffering from the horrifying accident at the Chornobyl nuclear station. At that time, Dr. Zenon was a prominent general surgeon in the USA, and his wife Nadia had been actively involved in charity work for over 25 years. They were truly concerned with the situation in Ukraine and immediately organized a committee to provide the first medical relief cargo to Ukraine. It was just the first step in implementing the long-term mission of CCDRF, which has become one of the leading charity organizations in Ukraine”.
As an Ambassador of Goodwill, Vera Farmiga, nominated for the 2010 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, was recognized with CCRDF’s Distinguished Achievement Award. As a Ukrainian-American growing up in the United States, Vera was instilled with a Ukrainian identity which taught her to respect her parent’s and ancestor’s homeland and help those in need. Through her active participation in CCRDF’s commemorative event of the Chornobyl catastrophe in 2006, she helped shed light on the situation, which occurred 20 years ago.
“I believe in the work that has to be done by CCRDF,” said Farmiga in her acceptance video and continued, “I know of the great need to help the medical sector in Ukraine. I know that the hospitals are constantly seeking better and more equipment. I know that the doctors’ hands need to be filled with the proper medical supplies to help their patients. I know of the parents’ pleas to help their suffering children. And, as a parent expecting my 2nd child, I can imagine the relief to know that my children can be treated because the equipment, supplies, and medicines exist in the hospitals.” She addressed the guests and said, “I urge you all to support CCRDF’s humanitarian mission and help make a difference for the children.”
CCRDF Founder Nadia Matkiwsky presented Elena Khomenko, Managing Director of Philip Morris Ukraine, Caucasus, and Moldova, with a Distinguished Achievement Award for the continuous support of the Fund’s humanitarian mission and contribution to its development. Mrs. Matkiwsky referred to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s book It Takes a Village to emphasize that even a small group of people can make a big difference. Mrs. Matkiwsky noted: “Recently, Elena Khomenko was recognized as one of the top tree Business Woman Leaders in Ukraine. This caring woman has been determined to make a difference in the wellbeing of humanity. Elena Khomenko took a leadership position and made a difference.”
CCRDF’s 20th anniversary celebration marked another milestone – the honoring of two individuals who were recognized for their massive efforts, instrumental work, and daily service to the Fund for the benefit of the children. Their boundless energy and compassionate dedication to the children of Ukraine inspire thousands of supporters throughout the world to help the children in need. Presented by Deputy Volodymyr Yavorivsky, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to the Founders of CCRDF Dr. Zenon and Nadia Matkiwsky. The award was kept in secret till the very moment when presented and all the guests welcomed the honorees with a standing ovation. The applause continued through the moving picture slideshow, showing 20 years of their dedicated work at CCRDF. As a special surprise, the Matkiwky’s four children and thirteen grandchildren sent their congratulations.
Ukraine’s Got Talent winner Kseniya Simonova dedicated a video compilation of her award-winning sand artwork for the 20th anniversary of CCRDF, which was shown as a video clip to conclude the official ceremony of the charity gala.
Throughout the evening, guests were invited to make their winning bids on auction prizes. Generous in-kind sponsors provided prizes for the silent auction and prominent Ukrainian artists donated their paintings for the art auction including Anna Kryvolap, Maksim Vityk, David Sharashidze, Serhiy Savchernko, Olena Ryzhukh, Victor Ryzhykh, Larisa Klyushkina, Anna Gidora, Volodymyr Zinchenko; Kyiv.Fine Art gallery donated a painting by Ihor Galan, Persona Gallery donated Igor Gubskiy’s artwork.
Medical equipment was displayed as a special exhibit at the charity gala. Guests had a chance to see the equipment, learn how it works and talk to Dr. Korniychuk, Chief of the Neonatal Intensive Care Department of Kyiv City Children’s Hospital #2. He states, “Establishing one NICU station for newborns increases our chances of saving children with critical weight at birth (less than 1 kg) and children born with respiratory complications and birth defects. It allows saving from 60 to 80 newborns per year” and continued, “By providing hospitals with needed equipment, CCRDF creates an opportunity for our doctors to work efficiently and save the lives of children.”
President and Founder of CCRDF Dr. Zenon Matkiwsky said, “I am pleased to acknowledge the increase in the quality of health care in Ukraine in the past 20 years of our Foundation’s work here. There are wonderful talented doctors here, devoted to their work, but there is still an issue with providing hospitals quality equipment. We at CCRDF thoroughly investigate the needs of Ukrainian doctors, listen to them and do our best to support their tremendous work by providing the needed equipment, medicines, professional literature, as well as organizing professional trainings and conferences.”
The night of the Gala, the 6th edition of the “Neonatal Manual,” translated into Ukrainian and printed by CCRDF, was presented. This is the third Ukrainian edition of the “Neonatal Manual,” translated, published and distributed free of charge by CCRDF. This medical textbook is recommended by Ukrainian Ministry of Health as textbook for medical universities. Translation and publication of the “Neonatal Manual” was sponsored by the CCRDF’s New Heaven Chapter.
Thanks to charitable donations from sponsors and partners in Ukraine and abroad, CCRDF raised $171,000 for the needs of the Kyiv City Children’s Clinical Hospital #2. An unexpected donation was made by Tatiana Franchuk of Kyiv.Fine Art gallery and her husband Manuel Alves of MCA Grupo. That evening, the couple first had a chance to personally learn about CCRDF’s humanitarian work. The Fund’s accomplishments motivated them to make a generous donation of $25,000 to benefit the hospital.
The funds raised have been used to purchase two fully equipped Neonatal Intensive Care Units, an electroencephalograph, and four compressors at the Kyiv City Children’s Clinical Hospital #2 valued at $171,000.
CCRDF’s 20th Anniversary Celebratory event took place at InterContinental Kyiv, which chose CCRDF as their Charity-of-Choice 2009-1010 and allowed the organization to broaden its funding capabilities.
CCRDF’s Charity Gala has been made possible thanks to the leading sponsors, partners and in-kind contributors. Sponsors and in-kind contributors: Salans, Ukraine International Airlines, American Medical Center, Philip Morris Ukraine, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Bank Forum, Allianz, SPRI Clinical Trials, Guliev Wine, Euroholod, Avis, and Admiral Club.
Partners: LeoBurnett, Running Code.
Media support: Kyiv Post, What’s On, Korrespondent, Business Ukraine, ICTV, Radio Kyiv and Business Radio.