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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.

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Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital Update- Donate Now!

ONE MONTH, ONE MILLION,

SAVING COUNTLESS CHILDREN’S LIVES

We have only 4 days left to reach our goal of $1 million for the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital!  

Last week, we announced another opportunity to double your impact on Ohmatdyt—ReliefAid, which has been delivering life-saving aid to Ukrainians since 2022, pledged to match each donation made to us for Ohmatdyt up to $50,000 until Monday, August 5th. 

This week, we are incredibly pleased to announce that our generous donors surpassed the $50,000 goal and raised $78,640 in just five days! Every dollar donated to our Ohmatdyt fundraiser between August 1st and 5th, up to $50,000, is matched by ReliefAid and donated directly to the hospital, meaning that the hospital and its young patients receive $128,640 from these five days alone. In total, we’ve raised over $700,000 for our Ohmatdyt campaign, and with your generous support, we are getting closer to our goal of $1 million dollars. 

Ohmatdyt was once Ukraine’s leading centre for oncology and pediatric illnesses and one of Europe’s largest children’s hospitals. Now, following Russia’s barbaric missile attack on July 8th, one wing of the hospital is destroyed with several others badly damaged, two doctors are dead, hundreds are injured, and many pediatric patients have been displaced to receive treatment from hospitals elsewhere.  

Thank you to each of our generous donors. Your continuous support, matched up to $50,000 this week by ReliefAid, is critical to our mission to help give these young children another chance to live.

DONATE

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.

ReliefAid is an independent, international humanitarian organisation specialising in delivering emergency humanitarian aid to families in conflict zones. They are currently delivering aid to families on the ground in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria and Afghanistan. ReliefAid, founded in late 2014 by kiwi Mike Seawright, has brought lifesaving aid to over 700,000 people caught in the crossfire of war. Their tag line ‘aid that cannot wait’ captures their DNA; they do whatever it takes to get aid where it’s most needed but least accessible.

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Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital – new opportunity to double your impact!

ONE MONTH, ONE MILLION,

SAVING COUNTLESS CHILDREN’S LIVES

We have just over 1 week left to reach our goal of $1 million for the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital!

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed so far to get us to almost $600 thousand, and we’re excited to announce another opportunity to double your impact.

ReliefAid, which has been delivering life-saving aid to Ukrainians since the start of the full-scale war in 2022, has pledged to match each donation made to us for Ohmatdyt up to $50,000 until Monday, August 5th. Every dollar donated to our Ohmatdyt fundraiser will be matched by ReliefAid and donated to the hospital, accelerating its timeline to rebuild and deliver much-needed pediatric medical care.

Ohmatdyt was once Ukraine’s leading centre for oncology and pediatric illnesses, and one of Europe’s largest children’s hospitals. Now, following Russia’s barbaric missile attack on July 8th, one wing of the hospital is destroyed with several others badly damaged, two doctors are dead, hundreds are injured, and many pediatric patients have been displaced to receive treatment from hospitals elsewhere.  

Your continuous support, which will be doubled this week by ReliefAid, is critical to our mission to help give these young children another chance at life.

Donate

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.

ReliefAid is an independent, international humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters. They were founded in late 2014 by New Zealander Mike Seawright following a decade of experience in conflict affected countries such as South Sudan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and to Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022.

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Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital – 10 days to make your mark!

Fundraiser for Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital closes on August 10th – make your mark today!

Thank you to all who helped us get to almost $600 thousand in the last 20 days! We have just over 10 days to reach our goal of donating $1 million to Ohmatdyt to help the pediatric patients with acute needs to receive the care they desperately need.

The Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, where the most difficult pediatric cases from across Ukraine were receiving care, was hit by a targeted Russian missile attack on July 8th – one part of the hospital was completely destroyed and several others were severely damaged.

Two weeks ago, we met with the CEO of the Ohmatdyt Foundation to assess the needs on the ground and discuss where your donations will have the biggest impact.

As we work on selecting the most suitable project to support, please give generously, if you haven’t yet, so that together, we could rebuild the hospital and save many children’s lives!

DONATE

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.

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News

Executive Director Appointed

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation board is pleased to announce that Valeriy Kostyuk has been appointed as the Executive Director. Valeriy will work with the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s team to accomplish its mission according to the board of directors’ strategic direction.

Valeriy comes from the entertainment sector and is a Ukrainian-Canadian producer of art and cultural projects. He has worked on theatre productions, concerts, and exhibits with leading companies such as Starvox Entertainment, Lighthouse Immersive, and Theaturtle. Some of Valeriy’s professional highlights include the Immersive Disney Animation exhibit, which has been seen by millions internationally, WOW Las Vegas Spectacular in Dubai, and CHARLOTTE: A Tri-Coloured Play with Music, the first professional Canadian production to tour Ukraine.

Since 2020, Valeriy has been producing Ukraine’s first immersive exhibition, Immersive Shevchenko: Soul of Ukraine, which has toured internationally to promote and raise funds for Ukraine. Over 50,000 visitors have seen Immersive Shevchenko: Soul of Ukraine, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Viktor Yushchenko, Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, and many others.

Please join us in welcoming Valeriy to his new role as the Executive Director at the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.

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Temerty Matching – Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital

Last week, we announced that the Temerty Foundation was generously matching donations up to $50,000 made to the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal fundraising campaign for Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, “One Month, One Million, Countless Children’s Lives”. This initiative was to double the impact of donations made between July 17th and July 21st for the victims of the July 8th targeted missile attack on this children’s hospital.

Today, we are thrilled to share that our generous donors raised $281,319 for the children of Ohmatdyt! With the $50,000 pledge from the Temerty Foundation, this brings the number up to an incredible $331,319 raised in just 5 days!

Thank you to each of our charitable donors for your kindness — every dollar will make a difference for these pediatric patients fighting for their lives amidst violent russian attacks.

We are grateful to the Temerty Foundation for their generous matching pledge that encouraged so many to donate! This week has been an amazing example of our community coming together, providing essential resources and support to the patients and staff at the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital.

We are almost at the mid-mark of our fundraising campaign for Ohmatdyt and thanks to your support, we are about halfway to our goal of raising one million in one month for the children of Ohmatdyt hospital. If you haven’t yet donated, please give generously and give these kids a chance at life. Thank you! Дякуємо вам!

Please donate

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.

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News

Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital – Donate today to have your dollars matched!

Last week we announced a campaign to raise $1,000,000 in one month through the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal for the children affected by the violent Russian attack on Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv.

Thanks to your generous response, we have raised over $165,000 towards our goal!

Today, we are excited to share an opportunity to double the impact of your donation. The Temerty Foundation has generously pledged to match every donation made to the Ohmatdyt fundraiser until July 21, up to $50,000.

DONATE TODAY TO HAVE YOUR DOLLARS MATCHED!

One of the largest children’s hospitals in Europe, Ohmadyt was Ukraine’s most advanced for pediatric illnesses and oncology. On July 8th, the Russian military struck it with a cruise missile in a targeted attack, killing two doctors and injuring hundreds. 

The number of casualties is rising. Since the strike, a young boy who had been in Ohmatdyt’s ICU at the time of the missile attack has died after being transferred to another hospital in Kyiv.

Your donations matter. The Canada-Ukraine Foundation has been supporting the international Institute of Postgraduate Studies for years, and now its staff and students from the Center of Psychological Counseling and Traumatherapy “Open Doors” are providing psychological support to the 31 children at a hospital that has accepted these young patients from Ohmatdyt.

With your continuous support, we can increase our assistance for the victims of the barbaric July 8th targeted attack and join the international effort to provide the resources and care the young patients need.

Please give today – doubling your gift with the Temerty Foundation’s generous pledge – and let these young children know they are not alone. Together we can give them hope for a brighter future.

Background

The 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.

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News Fundraising Events Humanitarian/Medical

CUF-UCC CALLS FOR SUPPORT OF OHMATDYT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

DONATE NOW TO RAISE $1,000,000
FOR OHMATDYT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

For more than ten years now, Ukraine has been the victim of countless war crimes committed by the Russian military. But the July 8th attacks on the Children’s Hospital Ohmatdyt, maternity hospital and fertility clinic in Kyiv is undeniable proof that Russia is waging a genocidal war on Ukraine: targeting Ukrainian children – the healthy, the seriously ill, and the unborn.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal is launching a one-month campaign to raise one million dollars for the hospital and its patients. Please donate now.

At least 41 people died as a result of the attack, and more than 170 are injured. Countless seriously ill children no longer have a place to receive treatment. This is the aftermath of July 8th attacks across multiple cities in Ukraine, including Kyiv.

Ohmatdyt is the largest specialized children’s hospital in Ukraine, treating 20,000 children and performing 10,000 surgeries annually. It is where young cancer patients get treatment. For many children, this is their last chance to recover and regain their health and childhood, and ensure they live a full life. The consequences of a rocket hit for these children are irreparable, including sickness from the suddenly non-sterile conditions, physical injuries, and death.

The CUF-UCC joint Ukraine Humanitarian Relief Committee is actively working with the management of the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital to best target all the funds we raise through this special fundraising drive. 

Donate now to get the help to the young patients clinging to life at Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital.

The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF) 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.