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MYHAL FAMILY FOUNDATION PLEDGES TO MATCH DONATIONS UP TO $1,000,000 BETWEEN OCTOBER 5th and OCTOBER 31st

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For most Canadians, it’s difficult to imagine having to worry about our children starving or succumbing to hypothermia. For many Ukrainian mothers, this is their current reality. 

Meet Antonina Ostapenko and her family. Their home village was five kilometres from the Sumy region’s border with Russia. In 2022, their village came under Russian occupation, forcing them to flee to Krasnopillia—a town slightly farther away but still dangerously close to the frontline. 

In September 2024, Russia launched an attack on the Ostapenko family’s new town of Krasnopillia, killing one person and injuring five others. Civilian infrastructure was targeted via guided aerial bombs and damaged 15 homes; for those who already have so little, attacks like these take away resources they might have to help them get through the cold, brutal winter. 

Russia’s attacks aren’t stopping. Ukrainians continue to lose part or all of their homes, exposing them to the dangers of the cold. In addition to fearing for her life due to Russian bombs, Antonina had to worry about her young baby and toddler becoming dangerously cold. Our Winterization Program efficiently supplies Ukrainians near the frontlines with essentials like wood-burning stoves, food boxes, and medications to help them through the winter months. With the family’s new wood-burning stove, Antonina has peace of mind knowing she can keep her little ones warm and fed. 

With your overwhelming support this week, we exceeded our goal of $100,000 for the Roadburg Foundation’s matching pledge to our Winterization campaign. Your enthusiasm and commitment are truly inspiring, and we cannot thank you enough for your support. Each one of your donations has made twice the impact this week in helping us keep Ukrainians warm this winter. Due to the overwhelming response we received from our generous donors, we are excited to announce one of our biggest opportunities yet to double your impact! The Myhal Family Foundation is raising the bar higher and is pledging to match $1,000,000 of donations made to CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal’s Winterization Campaign through October 31st. With this incredible opportunity, you can share the blessing of warmth and light with countless families in Ukraine. 

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Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

The Myhal Family Foundation was created by George and Rayla Myhal to assist in supporting causes within Canada that are Health and Education based. The foundation has worked with numerous hospitals in the GTA as well as educational institutions to help support, create and upgrade existing facilities and programs for the betterment of Canadians as a whole. Their work with the Ukrainian community has been extensive.

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Winter Is Coming!

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While we plan to buy salt for our icy driveways, many Ukrainians are in desperate need of necessities for the upcoming winter months. 

It’s important to remember that the crisis in Ukraine is ongoing. Russia continues its targeted, relentless attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. With power stations destroyed across the country, many families in Ukraine must worry about not only surviving Russian bombs, but also the freezing cold that comes with them.  

Many families near the frontline, who are often overlooked, are made up of vulnerable populations with unique needs. Our Winterization Program, which assesses local needs with the help of our long-term partners on the ground, has made a significant difference in their lives. It has previously helped many families like these to stay warm and dry. In the Dnipro region, one brave woman, Marichka, has continued her work as a foster mother thanks to the heat and warm meals provided by the stoves. 

“Thank you for the heating and cooking stove we received recently. I am a foster care provider; I have six children in my care. We often have power outages. Thanks to your stove, we can keep warm, and I can dry the children’s clothes because they go to school. We will be able to cook.”

Canadian children get excited about missing school when it’s too snowy to leave the house. A snow day for them means getting cozy under blankets, sipping hot chocolate, and watching a movie after a long day of playing outside in the fresh snow. For Ukrainian kids like these in Dnipro, a foot of snow means hours of being cold, hungry, and isolated from the world. 

Another mother in the Dnipro region has been able to keep herself and her diabetic son with a visual impairment warm in the winter: 

“I live with my son. He is a disabled person of the first group. He has diabetes and has completely lost his eyesight. Since there is a war in Ukraine, we often have power cuts. Thanks to the heating and cooking stove, we can now stay warm and warm up our home. Thank you very much!” 

This year, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation is running its third annual Winterization Program through the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The program aims to equip Ukrainians for the winter months with essential supplies such as cooking and heating stoves, food, medicine, and generators.  

Your donation can mean the difference between a family stranded in the cold and dark, and one that has access to the resources necessary to stay warm, dry, and fed this winter. The overwhelming response from our generous donors to the Roadburg Foundation’s matching pledge, which has already surpassed our goal of $100,000. Stay tuned for our next matching pledge coming soon—in the meantime, continue donating to ensure that more families across Ukraine have access to warmth and hot meals this coming winter. 

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Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

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Biomiq and Canada-Ukraine Foundation Partner to Donate Critical Wound Care Solution to Frontline Hospitals in Ukraine

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The Canada-Ukraine Foundation has partnered with Biomiq Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of advanced wound care medical devices, to deliver wound treatment solutions critically needed in Ukraine. Through this partnership, over 4,000 bottles of PureCleanseTM STAT, a hypochlorous acid cleansing wound lavage, have been donated to two hospitals in Ukraine and the upcoming missions of CUF’s Canada Ukraine Surgical Aid Program. This wound-cleansing solution will help address urgent wound care needs faced by clinicians seeing a high number of patients with complex ballistic injuries sustained in Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine. 

“We are seeing unprecedented types of wounds that pose significant challenges in terms of infection control,” said a clinician from one of the hospitals (location remains undisclosed for security reasons). “Our resources are stretched thin, and having a product like PureCleanse STAT, which can be delivered deep into the wound bed, offers a crucial advantage in fighting infection and improving patient outcomes.”

PureCleanse™ STAT is a hypochlorous acid-based solution that cleanses wounds safely without damaging healthy tissue. It works similarly to saline but with an added benefit: it also kills harmful microbes, helping to prevent infections. This unique combination of safety and antimicrobial effectiveness makes it stand out. Additionally, the fact that this product can be delivered deep into wounds is especially important for treating severe trauma, making it a valuable tool for clinicians dealing with complex injuries on the front lines.

“At our facility, we see many critical cases where time is of the essence, and infections can quickly escalate,” added a representative from one of the recipient hospitals. “Access to this product gives us another tool to improve care for our patients by targeting the infection risk at its source.”

Biomiq’s donation arrives at a time when healthcare providers in Ukraine are facing a critical need for effective treatment options to counteract drug resistance increasingly seen in wounded patients.

Robert Fuller, Managing Director of Biomiq said, “We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the Canada-Ukraine Foundation on this initiative. With this donation to hospitals in Ukraine, we hope to offer real support to the clinicians working tirelessly to care for patients with complex injuries. It’s an honour to play even a small part in helping these brave individuals on their path to recovery.”

Valeriy Kostyuk, Executive Director of CUF, added, “Delivery of PureCleanse STAT to the hospitals in Ukraine shows how practical support from Canadians can make a difference in the treatment of critically injured patients. We are immensely grateful for Biomiq’s commitment to supporting our ongoing relief efforts in Ukraine.”

As we head into the winter season, the medical crisis will only worsen. Through partnerships with Canadian organizations like Biomiq, we can effectively provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians having to endure even tougher conditions during winter. From September 20th to October 31st, the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal is running a special winterization fundraising campaign for our Winterization Program to help many people in Ukraine have their essential needs covered. 

Donate to impact the lives of Ukrainians in need this winter!

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Background

Biomiq Inc. is a Canadian leader in advanced wound care solutions, specializing in innovative, pure hypochlorous acid-based products. Based in Kitchener, Ontario, Biomiq’s mission is to empower healthcare professionals with tools that improve patient outcomes through safe, effective, and cutting-edge technologies.

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

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The Roadburg Foundation Is Matching Donations Up To $100,000!

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DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT!

Winter is coming faster than we think! As we are thinking about swapping car tires for winter ones or comparing different models of snowplows, Ukrainians need help to get through this winter with limited power, heat, and constant bombardments by the Russian Federation. 

Your support is crucial. With the generous support of the Roadburg Foundation, your donations made between September 26th and October 6th will be matched up to $100,000. This means your contribution will have double the impact, providing essential aid to Ukrainians. 

The Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation is a private charitable foundation established in 2021 through the estate of the late Vancouver businessman Ronald Roadburg. The Foundation is rooted in a strong sense of community and responsibility, engaging in an array of philanthropic initiatives in the Jewish and broader communities in British Columbia, across Canada, in Israel, and around the world. We at CUF are grateful to the Roadburg Foundation for supporting the Winterization Program and their leadership in strengthening the bond between our two communities.  

Your donation is part of a larger, impactful initiative. The funds raised will be directed towards our 2024 Winterization Program through the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA), a joint project between CUF and UCC. This initiative is crucial in addressing the immense challenges faced by Ukrainians under Russia’s violent attacks, particularly during the harsh winter months. 

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BUSINESS IN ACTION!

Responsible businesses are the backbone of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s ability to deliver effective and impactful programs.   

Perogie Lili is a Ukrainian perogie (varenyk) counter-service restaurant in the Mile End neighborhood of Montreal. Perogie Lili’s team has donated $400 of their sales from their Grand Opening week in August to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, and they plan to donate on a monthly basis. Thanks to them and other businesses around Canada donating to CUF, we can kickstart our winterization mission to ensure that thousands of Ukrainians have access to essentials during the winter months.

Valeriy Kostyuk and Marianna Kaminska, CUF,
meeting with Nestor Lewyckyj, Perogie Lili co-founder

As a responsible business, your contribution is invaluable. By donating and joining the Canada-wide fundraising initiative, you become a crucial part of the collective effort to aid Ukrainians in need.

Your support is not just appreciated; it’s essential. 

Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine

Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

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Let’s Keep Ukrainians Warm This Winter

Canadian winter is a beautiful sight. Despite heavy snow, ice, blizzards, and wind chills, we can find comfort and warmth in our home, surrounded by family and friends. Across the ocean, in the centre of Europe, Ukrainians are heading into a different kind of winter – one without electricity, heat and water.

For the past two winters, the Russian Federation targeted Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, leaving millions stranded in the cold and darkness for hours and days at a time. This winter promises to be no different.

Together, we can help – let’s keep Ukrainians warm this winter!

From September 20th to October 31st, CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal will run a special winterization fundraising campaign to help many people in Ukraine have their essential needs covered.

As Canadians, we know what it takes to be prepared for winter. The Canada-Ukraine Foundation will launch its third annual winterization program this fall. Previously, with your help, we provided Ukrainian people with the following.  

·     161 generators

·     81 tons of medicines and medical supplies

·     5,000 wood-burning stoves

·     8,400 beds, mattresses, blankets, and bedding sets

·     10,000 water purification kits

·     150,000 food boxes

This year’s winterization program will again respond to the local needs identified by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s long-term partners on the ground in Ukraine. The program will be tailored to help the most vulnerable population in Ukraine, residing predominantly along the frontlines and those internally displaced throughout Ukraine.

Let’s keep them warm! Make your donation today!

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Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

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2023 CUF Annual Report

Dear Friends,

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) is pleased to share our 2023 Annual Report with you. It details the programs and projects we carried out with your generous support of our mission to help Ukraine.

As we reflect on the past and look into the future, we would like to thank everyone for your generosity, kindness and resilience. In 2023, your donations helped us sustain much-needed humanitarian aid to over 2 million people across Ukraine and displaced Ukrainians in Canada.

On the cover of this year’s report, you will see an image of 9-year-old Polina. Her family is originally from Kupyansk in the Kharkiv Region. Polina’s father and older brother were killed in a heavy shelling of their town. Through your donations, Polina, her mother, and four siblings could find refuge in The City of Goodness in Chernivtsi Region. You can read more about Polina on page 22 of the report.

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If you would like to order a hard copy, please follow the link. The report is currently available in two official languages.

Thank you for enabling us to deliver on our commitment to help Ukraine!

Sincerely,

The Team of Canada-Ukraine Foundation

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Oleksandra Matviichuk’s speaking tour raises over $300,000

In June 2024, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation organized a historic Canadian speaking tour for the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, the head of Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties. During her time in Canada, Ms.Matviichuk headlined 37 separate events in four Canadian cities: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg.

Oleksandra Matviichuk’s Canadian visit constituted her longest speaking tour in any single country since she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of her Centre for their work investigating and cataloguing Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Ms.Matviichuk typically never stays in any country longer than three or four days, as her demanding schedule constantly takes her between the UN and the Hague, government meetings in global capitals, and conferences and symposia worldwide.

The Canadian tour objectives were threefold: to increase awareness of the war crimes perpetrated by the Russian Federation in Ukraine, including drawing attention to the plight of over 20,000 Ukrainian children abducted by the Kremlin and to raise funds for vital human rights initiatives.

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation thanks Ms. Matviichuk for giving so much of herself to this tour, which she afterwards said was the best she has ever had. These successes were only realized with our corporate sponsors, led by the Temerty Foundation, and the dozens of volunteers who helped plan, organize, and smoothly execute such an important event.

Through this tour, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation was able to raise over $300,000 towards human and civil rights initiatives aimed to address the critical needs of children who returned home from Russian captivity, women suffering at the hands of war and other key work in this sector.

On September 1st, 2024, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation opened its fall applications intake. We encourage groups and organizations focusing on human and civil rights work to apply. Please visit cufoundation.ca/apply for funding to learn about the granting process and other funding areas available this grant season.

Background

Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) – founded in 1995, CUF has a strong track record of providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the areas of healthcare, education and civil society. CUF collaborates with aid providers in Ukraine, Canada, and beyond to maximize impact and cost-effectiveness of your support.

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Canada-Ukraine Foundation condemns including a film promoting Russian narratives at the Toronto International Film Festival

The film Russians At War by Anastasia Trofimova, which received $340,000 from the Canada Media Fund—monies directly taken out of Canadian taxpayers’ pockets—will be featured as part of the official program of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Cinema is an aid for the soul and a tool to amplify the truth and unite people for what is right. In 2023, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation established an Aid for Artists Fund to provide an outlet to support the arts and artists of Ukraine who are forward-facing, courageous, and united. As part of this program, CUF has supported countless projects which celebrate Ukrainian culture and address lies spread by the Russian propaganda machine. Unfortunately, the Canada Media Fund decided to fuel that propaganda machine, and the Toronto International Film Festival provided a platform to promote it.

In the spring of 2024, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, through the Aid for Artists Fund, supported the creation of two films highlighting the devastation of Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine and its impact on the lives of civilians. Doors of War by Gambade Films and Ride the Line by Igor Volochiy are a testament to the resilience of Ukrainians facing the Russian war. The funding of these films, done through contributions from you, Canadians, demonstrates the unity of our society in support of Ukraine. We genuinely hope that TIFF will consider including these films in its future programming and that the Canada Media Fund will support films that are in line with the moral values of Canadians.  

Please consider donating to CUF Aid for Artists Fund to support Ukrainian cinema and art projects.

To learn more about the current issue, please see the Ukrainian Canadian Congress statement.

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Background

Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) – founded in 1995, CUF has a strong track record of providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the areas of healthcare, education and civil society. CUF collaborates with aid providers in Ukraine, Canada, and beyond to maximize impact and cost-effectiveness of your support.

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News Humanitarian/Medical

OHMATDYT HOSPITAL FUNDRAISER UPDATE

On July 10th, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation launched a special campaign for the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv through the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA), a joint project with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC).  

Just 2 days prior, on July 8th, Russia launched a targeted missile attack on Ohmatdyt – Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital, where hundreds of pediatric patients received specialized care, such as dialysis and cancer treatment. At the time of the barbaric attack, which resulted in the damage and destruction of several departments, there were 627 children at the hospital. Svitlana Lukyanchuk, a 30-year-old nephrologist working with dialysis patients at the time of the attack, was killed. Hundreds of people, including young children, were wounded. A boy who was in the ICU, had died a few days later. Due to this attack, which destroyed life-supporting infrastructure, hundreds of children have to seek medical treatment elsewhere. 

CBC: The National report about Solomiya, who was treated at Ohmatdyt on the morning of the attack and Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s fundraiser.

With the help of you, our generous donors, our campaign raised an incredible $821,243.27 for the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital between July and August. The funds will help restore the hospital’s capacity to treat young children with complex medical conditions, including the provision of life-saving medications that the patients so desperately need. 

The Canadian spirit of unity and dedication to helping Ukrainian children made a real difference. All of us at the Canada-Ukraine Foundation want to thank you for your unwavering support of our mission in Ukraine. 

Our work doesn’t end here. Please continue supporting those in need by donating to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

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FINAL DAY TO HELP UKRAINIAN CHILDREN

Today is the last day for you to become a part of our Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital Campaign to raise 1 million dollars.

Russia’s targeted approach to destroying hospitals is inhumane and barbaric. The bombing of Ohmadyt is a great tragedy and has a destructive impact on the lives of many Ukrainian children. For instance, Solomiya Fomenyuk, age 16, and Andriy Ilnytsky, age 11, were undergoing dialysis treatment when a Russian missile hit the toxicology department of the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv on the morning of July 8.

The equipment provided by Canadian donors through the Canada-Ukraine Foundation was used for treatment on the day of the attack.

Solomiya’s mother, Oksana Fomenyuk, says that it was a miracle that the children survived. A 30-year-old doctor, Svitlana Lukyanchuk, who was in the same room at the time conducting the life-saving procedure, was killed during the attack while moving the children to safety. Although the children were moved into safety, they still suffered shrapnel injuries. Solomiya’s eye was damaged, and Andriy received multiple bruises and cuts from glass.

Solomiya, who has had a spinal hernia since birth, developed chronic kidney failure. She regularly travels from Rivne in western Ukraine to Kyiv for treatment. Solomiya is the eldest of four children. Her mother has been living with her at the hospital to ensure she receives the much-needed treatment. Solomiya needs dialysis three times a week, which lasts four to five hours at a time. Solomiya sees her family only on weekends, leaving Kyiv for Rivne on Friday to be back on Monday, as no dialysis machines are available in her hometown.

Andriy Ilnytsky is from the small town of Dolyna in the Zakarpattia region. He was brought to Kyiv from an orphanage in a dangerous state. Andriy was born with kidney defects. He had his first surgery at the age of 3. Last year, Andriy underwent his fifth kidney surgery. Like Solomiya, he also spent a lot of time in the toxicology department over the previous two years with a similar treatment schedule.

Without undergoing hemodialysis three times a week, these children will not survive for more than three days. Currently, they are receiving treatment at another hospital where dialysis machines are used in four shifts due to the limited availability of such equipment in Ukraine.

As Canadians, we must stand on the side of light. Ukrainian children urgently need such essential medical treatment, which is only possible with your help!

Make your contribution today to make an impact!

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Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian assistance/relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.