Get JT home from Ukraine

Russian landmine tragically wounds selfless Canadian now stranded in Ukraine.

 

The last thing JT ever wanted to do when he retired in 2021 from a 27+ year career in the Canadian military was go back to a war zone. But the heartbreaking images of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine were ones he could not just ignore. Knowing that he had the rare expertise and skills needed to make a real difference in these dire circumstances, after his respected career as an infantryman, combat diver, combat engineer and specialized explosive devices tracker, serving in Bosnia and Afghanistan (amongst many other conflict zones), he felt a compelling need to answer Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s desperate call for volunteers to come help Ukrainian people in their time of greatest need. To learn more about JT’s powerful motivation for volunteering with Ukrainian forces, please read his interview with the CBC from April 4, 2022  Former Canadian soldier joins fight in Ukraine 

For safety reasons, we cannot reveal JTs real life name, as he’s still in an active war zone with enemy combatants, but know that he is the kind of man, the kind of Canadian, we can all respect and admire. As a born and raised Albertan, it’s in his very nature to push up his sleeves and get right to work on whatever needs to be done. Even when it’s hard. Even when it’s dangerous. Especially when it means he can spare someone else the awful consequences of having to do it.

 

Recently, while on active combat duty in Ukraine, JT’s vehicle hit a landmine, exploding the vehicle with him in it.

 

JT is alive but has suffered numerous grave injuries that will impact him for life including 2nd and 3rd degree burns across a significant area, multiple broken bones, some hearing and vision impairment, nerve damage, open wounds and severe post-concussion syndrome. He requires extensive medical care, in addition to the emergency surgery he has already undergone in Ukraine and will need prolonged rehab to make a stronger recovery. Understandably, Ukraine is not in a position to provide this despite their great appreciation for his actions. 

We need to get him home.

 

JT has always been the kind of guy to step right up, help others and do the right thing without hesitation. This time, he needs our help. The cost for a medically staffed and equipped air ambulance from Eastern Europe to Ottawa is astronomical but he is not stable enough to travel any other way. We need to raise $100,000 for the ground and air ambulance to get him out of Ukraine and home safely. Once he’s back home in Canada he will need medical treatments, physio and rehab and medications and will not be able to work for quite some time. We’re hoping to raise an additional $100,000 to support his recovery once he’s home. Any amount raised above our goal of $200,000 will be used by JT to continue covering medical costs including access to accessible housing, caregiver expenses, purchasing assistive equipment as needed and day to day living.

 

We may not all have the skills, the bravery or the selflessness to help the Ukrainian people fight this inhumane war Russia is unleashing on them like JT does, but we can help an injured man find his way home. Your donation will bring this retired Canadian soldier, who did everything he possibly could to make a positive difference, back to Canada. Please donate today and help us spread the word. Thank you so much.