Help My Ukrainian Cousin Fund Critical Surgery

My name is Greg Marick and I am fundraising on behalf of my cousin, Ruslan Savko, who lives in Kyiv, Ukraine.

 

On February 24, 2022, Russia committed unprecedented military aggression against Ukraine. After three months of "special military operation," there have been thousands of human casualties and unimaginable atrocities; civil infrastructure is badly damaged; and the national economy is in tatters. And even though Russian troops have retreated from Kyiv, it is impossible to conduct business normally.

 

As if this were not bad enough, Ruslan is in a difficult health situation. He suffers from arthrosis of both hip joints 4 (left) and 2 (right) stages with pain syndrome. He has been on the waiting list for arthroplasty at his local medical clinic for two years and was expecting to have surgery this year. However, because of the war and the current situation in Kyiv, such operations are not being performed.

 

The only way Ruslan can receive treatment is in the European Union. Fortunately, many EU countries are accepting Ukrainian refugees on preferential terms, but the necessary treatment will still require certain (possibly significant) costs, including temporary resettlement.

 

Ruslan is 59 years old and is married to his wife, Elena. They have two adult sons, Vladislav and Evgeny. Ruslan and Elena also have a granddaughter, Lisa, who turned 3 on May 15th. Unfortunately, due to the war, everyone's income dropped catastrophically. On top of that, Elena is recovering from cancer and receives only a very small pension from the government.

 

 

 

 

The good news is that Ruslan has most of the money he needs to fund treatment and resettlement, but estimates that he is about $5,500 short of the total necessary. Ruslan did not imagine having to ask anyone for help, but the situation is dire in these wartime conditions. He is grateful for the USA's moral and financial support of Ukraine and appreciates your gift of any amount to help him get the surgery he needs.