Hi, I’m Dennis Mashevsky, Anatolii Ishchenko is my cousin.
On January 22nd, 2026, my cousin Anatolii - who would be 30 years old - went to the hospital in a moment of crisis. He left the waiting room on the coldest day of the year in Winnipeg, and unfortunately that was his last day with us.
After three months, with 100 volunteers, just before the second ground search - the Red River gave us his body back on April 18th.
He asked for help. He was a hard worker by multiple accounts. He listened to advice. He was genuinely striving to be the best version of himself. He cared about his family very much. If it were summer, he would still be with us.
His parents and brother are in Ukraine, struggling through a war, and are unable to come to Canada.
We want to honor him here in Canada, and bring him home to his family.
Funds will go toward:
- Funeral and cremation costs.
- Travel for family to Canada, and to Ukraine with his remains.
- Travel documents and repatriation of his remains to Ukraine.
In the news:
https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/2026/04/19/family-volunteers-speak-after-a-missing-man-was-found-dead-in-red-river/
Please donate if you can, but if not - please share. Thank you.
Thank you to the incredible Ukrainian community in Winnipeg - your mobilization is an example for all of us in finding closure for grieving families, and my cousin’s death has prompted calls for change in how Canadian hospitals respond to psychiatric patients in crisis.
Organizer
