UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA

CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

PRESS RELEASE

Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel Deliver Additional 117,000HRV in Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine

Many Ukrainian Patriots are in the line of fire without proper medical support and training.  International experience shows that 60% of deaths in combat are caused by critical bleeding, 30% from tension pneumothorax (the accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity due to chest wounds), and 10% from blocked airways.  These three states – Critical bleeding, tension pneumothorax and blocked airways--require immediate attention before even seeing a doctor.

Namely because of these facts that His Eminence Metropoliutan Antony, who recently traveled to Ukraine upon the invitation of the President of Ukraine, in order to participate in the observance of 1000 years of repose of Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Volodymyr, and His Grace Bishop Daniel, who visited Ukraine due to the academic theological advancement program of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orhtodox Theological Seminary, reached out to "Patriot Defence" organization, a humanitarian initiative of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) that began its activities in May 2014. The project was founded by Dr. Ulana Suprun, Director of Humanitarian Initiatives of the UWC, Stefan Romaniw OAM, President of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations & UWC Secretary General, and Stepan Kaczurak, President of the Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine Inc..  "Patriot Defence" was established to address specific needs in Ukraine-- Combat Lifesaver Training Courses and NATO-standard Improved First Aid Kits (IFAKs) for Ukraine's servicemen.

Meeting with Dr. Ulana Suprun, who serves as Coordinator of the Combat Lifesaver Training Program for Ukraine, the hierarchs of the UOC of the USA learned about the valubable life-daving mission of the organization. Moreover, the bishops reviewed a presentation of Dr. Suprun, at the end of which a donation of $5500 (117,000HRV) was offered from the faithful of the Ukrainian Orhtodox Church of the USA in order to further the mission of saving lives of wounded combat heroes of Ukrainian armed forces and volunteers.

Originally, the purpose of the initiative was to train and provide IFAKs to 10,000 Ukrainian servicemen.  On February 18, 2015 the ten thousandth kit was presented to a 19-year-old Ukrainian Marine from Mykolayiv.  As of March 2015, Patriot Defence has conducted more than 155 training missions, providing Combat Lifesaver training to over 15,000 soldiers and cadets across the country.

The humanitarian initiative operates in accordance with the resolutions adopted by the participants of the first international conference on “The Development, Standardization and Implementation of Tactical Medicine in Ukraine”.  Patriot Defence aims to implement tactical medicine in Ukraine by current TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) protocols.  After all, it is a matter of national security.

“Patriot Defence” is a team of coordinators, led by Dr. Ulana Suprun, Director of Humanitarian Initiatives at the Ukrainian World Congress and a group of instructors, trained by foreign professionals in tactical medicine and combat lifesaver training.  It is also made up of the hundreds of donors and volunteers around the world who help the initiative effectively realize their goals and allow for its continued success.  And last but not least, it is the wonderful partners who provide the organization with free legal advice, brokerage fees, valuable information, and all other types of unwavering support.

The war in Eastern Ukraine is a war of values.  Liberation from the remnants of a system that fails to protect its defenders will guarantee victory over the enemy. The organization’s slogan is “Tactical medicine or death! Get Involved!”

Дякуємо Українській православній церкві Сполучених Штатів Америки за допомогу нашій організації у захисті українських військових! Щиро вдячні митрополиту і першоієрарху Антонію, єпископу Даниїлу та Українській православній церкві Сполучених Штатів Америки за молитви та фінансову підтримку "Захисту Патріотів"!

Thank you to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America for helping our organization in defending Ukrainian soldiers! We are grateful to His Eminence Metropolitan & Prime Hierarch Antony, His Grace Bishop Daniel and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America for their prayers and financial support for "Patriot Defense"!