California association supports UMANA Eye Project (05/25/97)

California association supports UMANA Eye Project

by Anne Kokawa Prokopovych

LOS ANGELES - Entering through a canopy inspired by traditional Ukrainian embroidery, guests at the California Association to Aid Ukraine (CAAU) Ball dined and danced in a wonderfully transformed setting, all for a worthy cause.

Proceeds from the May 3 event have been designated for the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA) Eye Project, headed by Dr. William Selezinka, founder and project medical director. During the dinner program, Bohdan Malaniak, CAAU President, presented a check to Dr. Selezinka representing contributions to date. Total proceeds now exceed $10,000.

The theme of the ball, "Vyshyvani Vechirnytsi" (Evening of Embroidered Treasures), was brought to life through the creative artistry of designer Luba Dmytryk. Banners with larger-than-life replicas of traditional embroidery motifs draped the entrance and the walls of the ballroom, setting a festive ethnic mood.

UMANA Eye Project

The UMANA Eye Project was initiated by Dr. Selezinka in 1991, shortly after Ukraine's independence, to establish a program of humanitarian medical assistance that would provide improved vision care capability not available under the Soviet regime.

Within four years, the project has delivered over $1 million, (wholesale value) of donated ophthalmic surgical supplies, equipment, and medicines. In addition, medical teams assembled from leading U.S. universities have made five trips to Ukraine to teach, consult, perform surgery, and instruct Ukrainian medical care personnel in appropriate use and maintenance of the donated humanitarian aid.

The initial regional focus of the project has been on the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, through the new City Eye Clinic of the University Hospital. Future projections are to expand the scope of the medical specialties and geographical penetration to provide more services for a broader population in Ukraine.

As a part of its multi-faceted objectives, the UMANA Eye Project will be sending a team of 14 doctors and support personnel to Ukraine at the end of May to perform surgeries, conduct training and continue developing the program locally. All 14 of the team members are contributing their services, and the doctors are paying for their own transportation.

California Association to Aid Ukraine

CAAU was initiated in March 1990 as a grass-roots Ukrainian American community response to democratic developments in Ukraine; it was subsequently chartered as a non-profit corporation.

The mission of the CAAU is to coordinate local efforts to aid Ukraine in the fields of health, ecology, economy, education, Ukrainian cultural development and national democratic processes.

Since 1990, the CAAU has coordinated several fund-raising programs to channel support through organizations such as the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, International Center of Physics in Kyiv, Children's Medical Care Foundation, International Education Program, Direct Relief International and the Sabre Foundation.

The CAAU has provided direct assistance to the University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and other education institutions, and various hospitals and medical research facilities. The CAAU has joined with the Coordinating Committee to Aid Ukraine (U.S.A.) to support the rebirth of sports in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Olympic Team, and the publication of Ukrainian-language books for schools in Ukraine.

To supplement contributions from the community, the CAAU has begun fund-raising efforts with corporate and other institutions. Major underwriting for this year's ball was provided by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. This support complements other programs at Cedars-Sinai, which include those of its research institute that encourage exploring research opportunities with Ukrainian research investigators, especially in joint projects to find new cures and modalities.

The CAAU is continuing to accept contributions for the UMANA Eye Project. Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to: California Association to Aid Ukraine (UMANA Eye Project), c/o Bohdan Mykytyn, (treasurer), 5325 Teesdale Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91607.

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