Commentary by Rachael Babin, Editor-in-Chief, The Oncology Network
I am writing today in response to the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine. Many of us are scanning the headlines hourly and wondering what can be done to help.
Access to healthcare has been interrupted for many Ukrainians, particularly those living in siege conditions the east, those who’s hospitals have been targeted by shelling and those requiring urgent surgeries and medication.
Oncology services have been dramatically impacted and supplies of medications and medical equipment are scarce.
Here we wrap up current news and recap resources and links to organisations you can donate to.
In Summary:
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the USA have a specialist team at the Polish border helping to transport Ukrainian paediatric oncology patients to other countries with appropriate specialist teams.
- Dr Roman Kizyma has received praise across many national and international news channels in recognition of his incredible work moving paediatric oncology patients out of Lviv to other European countries. The Daily Mail has an interview with him here.
- The Lancet has published an editorial on ‘Conflict in Ukraine and its impact on cancer care‘ declaring that the lives of many Ukrainian patients with cancer are ‘in grave peril’. It also highlights the Ukraine has one of the highest childhood cancer mortality rates globally.
- The World Health Organization said it has so far verified 43 attacks on health care, with 12 people killed and 34 injured, including health workers in Ukraine. The agency said the war is having “devastating consequences for the health of Ukraine’s people; consequences that will reverberate for years or decades to come” during remarks made at the United Nations security council meeting on Thursday 17th March.
- The WHO is working with partners to alleviate shortages of life-saving equipment and medication in the Ukraine. Today (14th March 2022) they reported shortages in oxygen and insulin, surgical supplies, anaesthetics, and transfusion kits to collect, test and safely transfuse blood. They are shipping oxygen generators, generators to maintain electrical supply in affected health facilities, defibrillators, monitors, anaesthesia drugs, rehydration salts, gauze and bandages into Ukraine to save lives and maintain health services.
- ASCO have produced a webpage on ‘Information for Patients With Cancer & Physicians in Ukraine & the Neighboring Countries‘.
- Dr Julie R. Gralow, Executive vice president, American Society of Clinical Oncology, wrote a guest editorial for The Cancer Letter: Reflecting on 25 years of collaboration and friendship with cancer patients and physicians in Ukraine
- ASCO Daily News Podcast Episode on War in Ukraine: Treating Patients Under Fire
What You Can Do To Help:
- The American Cancer Association is calling for volunteer oncologists and oncology nurses who speak English and/or Central and Eastern European languages to join their Clinician Volunteer Corps and provide teleconsults to patients. Click here for more information.
- The European Cancer Organisation (ECO) and ASCO have created a Special Network dedicated to the Impact of the War in Ukraine on Cancer. If your organisation can offer any support please contact: [email protected]. A webinar is scheduled for Friday 18th March 2022 to provide an update on the situation in Ukraine – I am attending and will share my report on the meeting afterwards.
- Donate to:
- WHO Health Emergency Appeal for Ukraine
- International Committee of the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal
- Together for Ukraine: Polish Crowdfunding Campaign supporting established charities and NGOs in Poland who are providing care to refugees: Donate here
- Together for Ukraine are also running specific campaigns to aid the purchase of 1) tactical first aid kits: https://zrzutka.pl/dlaukrainy and 2) bulletproof vests and helmets: https://zrzutka.pl/pomocukrainie should you wish to make a donation toward a specific item.
- Kyiv Independent: Independent journalism is more important than ever so I would also like to mention the team at Kyiv Independent who produce crowdfunded English-language news from the Ukraine. You can support them on Patreon here.
If you have other news, links or resources to share please contact me and we will add them to the lists above: [email protected]..
To any healthcare professionals currently working in the Ukraine, Poland and other countries helping refugees, thank you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
