March 28, 2022
Dear Colleague,
Many of you have reached out to us, asking how you can contribute to the care of victims in war-torn Ukraine.
At this time, no current role or mechanism exists for safe travel to help in person. Healthcare facilities seem to be well staffed but supplies and equipment are desperately needed.
Listed below are a few non-governmental organizations that are asking for monetary donations and/or supplies:
- Ukrainian Medical Association of North America, headquartered in Chicago and run by George J. Hrycelak, MD, FACS
- Cleveland Maidan Association, via a Go Fund Me page organized by Laura Bukavina, MD, FACS
- Razom’s Emergency Response, which operates primarily in Ukraine
- International Medical Corps, a first responder agency that provides emergency relief services and training in areas affected by conflict, disaster, and disease
- Global Surgical and Medical Support Group
- Global Response Management to the Ukraine
In addition, we are accepting donations to get Stop The Bleed to people on the ground in Ukraine and Poland.
We will continue to update you on this evolving situation and look for additional opportunities in which ACS members can support the victims of this crisis.
Sincerely,
Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS
Executive Director
Michael Sutherland, MD, MBA, FACS
Director, Member Services
Girma Tefera, MD, FACS
Medical Director, Operation Giving Back
March 11, 2022
Help us get STOP THE BLEED® supplies into the hands of those who need our help to save lives right now—the people of Ukraine.
With your support, the American College of Surgeons STOP THE BLEED® program will organize shipments of STOP THE BLEED® supplies with bleeding control instructions to people on the ground in Ukraine and Poland.
March 1, 2022
Dear Colleagues:
With anguish, we are following the developing human tragedy in Ukraine. The loss of life is profound, and the destruction of infrastructure is devastating. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) denounces this violence leading to unnecessary suffering and loss of human life.
This is a complicated emergency that places innocent people in peril and in harm's way of armed conflicts. It will lead to food and water insecurity, limited—or no—access to medical care, and will separate and displace families and friends away from their homes without a safety net.
Even though many of us live at least a continent and ocean way from this escalating tragedy, we encourage all to act in good faith from afar. Now is the time for all of us to help, in any way we can, to mitigate the suffering of people who are in desperate need.
Several communities within the US are already organizing efforts to support refugees from Ukraine. We encourage all ACS members to consider helping to provide these groups with much needed material or financial support.
This article from National Public Radio lists organizations that are already working to make an impact. We're also aware of these two groups:
If you know of other relief efforts of which we should be aware, please feel free to share that information with us. Groups that offer medical assistance are of particular interest, but right now, assistance will be needed to support all facets of the refugees' lives.
We thank you for your support as we all keep those affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be forthcoming, as appropriate.
Sincerely,
Julie A. Freischlag, MD, FACS, FRCSEd(Hon), DFSVS
ACS President
Anton N. Sidawy, MD, MPH, FACS
Chair, ACS Board of Regents
Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS
ACS Executive Director
Girma Tefera, MD, FACS
Medical Director, ACS Operation Giving Back
Michael Sutherland, MD, MBA, FACS
Director, ACS Member Services
