Message from Ukraine

Hospitals receiving items from second 40' container made possible by international Catholic partnership

This morning we received photos of our Ukrainian partners unloading the second 40' container of requested medical supplies and equipment that was shipped from Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach. This ongoing support for Ukraine is in partnership with International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), Catholic Health Association of the United States, and the Knights of Columbus of Poland and Ukraine. We’re especially grateful to Bon Secours Mercy Health, who financially sponsored this container. Our thanks also go to Hospital Sisters Health System, Ascension, Mercy Health, OSF HealthCare, and all our supply and equipment donors who make these shipments possible!

The photos below were accompanied by a letter from Christian Kostko, a Ukrainian American who works for the ICMC and serves as a consultant for the Catholic Response for Ukraine (a group convened by the Vatican to help Ukrainians – particularly in rural areas – who are affected by war). Christian has been the coordinator of both containers we sent to Ukraine, and his expertise has made the logistics of the distribution run as smoothly as possible.

You may remember that last April I visited Ukraine with ICMC and Catholic Health Association to meet with administrators and clinicians from hospitals that received items in the first container we shipped – want to know more? We’ve got a few blog articles on that.  

The strength and perseverance of the Ukrainian people is admirable. If you have been watching the Olympics, you know that by hearing the stories of their incredible athletes.

Here’s the letter from Christian – I hope it makes your day as much as it made mine. Please remember to think of our neighbors in Ukraine and all those in the world who are living their lives and serving others, even amid war and other enormous challenges. 

Dear Erica,

I am happy to report that the second container of medical equipment has been delivered to a hospital in Izmail. This is a small town in southern Ukraine right on the border with Romania and very close to Moldova, with a population of about 70 thousand. It is about 150 miles from Odesa where we visited in March.

The transportation from Lviv to Izmail (650 miles) was arranged and covered by the Knights of Columbus. 

The donation was made through the local Greek Catholic hospital chaplain (seen in some of the pictures in green cassock) just as with the other donation sites which we visited on out trip.

On behalf of the Ukrainian people who will benefit from this donation I would like to thank you and your colleagues at the Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach for your work and commitment to serving others.

With best regards,

Christian