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01 February 2007 14:37

Concluding Press Conference Held on the Healthy Heart of the Child Charitable Action

February 1, 2007, a concluding press conference was held, dedicated to the Healthy Heart of the Child charitable action organized by the Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Fund and McDonalds Ukraine Ltd. Head of the Supervisory Board of the Fund Mrs. Kateryna Yushchenko, Director General of McDonalds Ukraine Ihor Dielov, Chief Cardiologist of Ukraine Yuri Sirenko, and Director of the Ukraine 3000 Fund’s Hospital to Hospital Program Vira Pavliuk took part in the event hosted by UNIAN press agency.

Addressing the journalists, Mrs. Yushchenko thanked all participants of the action. “This project sets an example of how a small contribution from everyone can solve most sore problems of the society. It proves that together we can change our life for the better, and, most importantly, make difference to the fate of sick children, to whom this equipment gives a chance to survive,” she said.

Mrs. Yushchenko confessed that, announcing their expectations regarding funds to be raised before the start of the Healthy Heart of the Child action, the partners had hoped that it would be enough to purchase equipment for 13 hospitals. “But the action turned out such a big success that we had raised much more money than was expected. This proves that charitable actions and projects, if organized in a professional, systemic, and transparent manner, succeed greatly in Ukraine,” she said.

The Healthy Heart of the Child charitable action was held from November 8 to 20, 2006. In this period, every McDonald’s customer in 16 Ukraine’s cities could buy symbolic memorabilia: special paper hands, bracelets, or charms.

The action’s major goal was raising funds to purchase cardio equipment for Ukrainian children’s hospitals. The organizers also strived to draw public attention to the growing rate of cardio diseases among children. The total sum of raised funds and, consequently, total value of purchased equipment and consumables, is UAH 500,000 ($100,000).

January 26, 2007, the Strazhesko Cardiology Institute hosted a ceremony of donating cardiologic equipment, purchased with the money raised in course of the Healthy Heart of the Child action, to representatives of 18 Ukraine’s children’s hospitals. Each hospital received a cardio equipment set including 12-channel synchronous ECG recorder (with 100 paper rolls and 12 bottles of ECG gel), and 24-hour blood pressure monitor. At present the equipment is already being used at functional diagnosing units, ICUs, and admission departments of these hospitals.