Miss Universe at Philadelphia center to promote Ukrainian AIDS Awareness Weekend (05/25/03)

Miss Universe at Philadelphia center to promote Ukrainian AIDS Awareness Weekend

by Orysia L. Hewka

PHILADELPHIA - The weekend of May 2-4 was billed in Philadelphia as the first AIDS in Ukraine Awareness Weekend. The Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center (UECC) hosted the three-day event, which included a gala charity banquet and ball in Philadelphia, featuring the reigning Ukrainian-born Miss Universe as the celebrity guest.

Justine Pasek's visit not only brought beauty and charm to Philadelphia, but also presented a challenge to the Ukrainian diaspora to face the hard facts about an incurable infection threatening Ukraine. Proceeds from the events will benefit orphans with AIDS in Ukraine and AIDS awareness and educational programs targeted at high-risk groups, youths, orphans and street kids.

The weekend began with a special English-language radio program aired on WNWR 1540 AM at 7:30 p.m. detailing the events for the following two days and discussing the topic of HIV/AIDS and its escalation and impact on Ukraine, as well as the serious consequences of inaction in the fight against this deadly disease. Also that evening the Philadelphia Crown Lights heralded a greeting to Miss Universe atop the Philadelphia Electric Co. building in center city Philadelphia with the message: "Philadelphia Welcomes Miss Universe to the Ukrainian AIDS Awareness Weekend."

A national open forum/conference on the topic of the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Ukraine took place on Saturday morning under the co-sponsorship of the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center and the Ukrainian Medical Association of Pennsylvania headed by Dr. Wasyl Salak. The conference brought together a panel of medical experts from across the country and social service groups involved in humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

It ceremoniously opened with two young children in Ukrainian dress, Alexandra Chuma, age 7, and Borys Chabursky, 8, placing a flower and lighting a candle in memory of sick children in Ukraine and those who passed away from AIDS.

Dr. Roxolana Horbovy, conference chairperson, opened the session, followed by panelists Dr. Tim Clary from the U.S. Agency for International Development; Dr. Larissa Kyj, president, United Ukrainian American Relief Committee; Alexander Kuzma, executive director, Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund; Dr. Joseph Amon, USUHS from Bethesda, Md.; Maria Hrycelak, Chicago; Dr. Kate Schecter, American Health Alliance; and Joseph Sywenky, who presented slides of children suffering with AIDS in Ukraine.

There were exhibits of the work of several humanitarian organizations that work with orphans and children in Ukraine: the Ukrainian Gift of Life Organization, Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Ukrainian Medical Association of North America and the Ukrainian Orphaned Children's Fund of Philadelphia. The UECC had an information table.

Miss Universe arrived at 3 p.m. in a white limousine to a royal welcome by a crowd of children and neighbors and youth in costumes. Over the street in front of the UECC, a large banner welcomed her with the open invitation to the community "Come Meet Miss Universe, May 3 at the Ukrainian Center."

Dressed in traditional Ukrainian costumes, Natalia Antoniak and Erik Rizanow escorted Ms. Pasek from the limo and presented her with a bouquet. Borys Zacharczuk, president of the UECC, welcomed her at the door with a traditional presentation of bread and salt. The crowd cheered as Miss Universe entered the gallery of the UECC for the afternoon ceremonies. Miss Universe, who was born in Ukraine and represented Panama in the Miss Universe Pageant, is a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS.

The unveiling of a unique creative community endeavor - the "Rushnyk of Hope" - was a stirring moment for the public. The rushnyk (ritual cloth) is a colorful montage over 12 feet in length and over two feet in width of 100 hand-embroidered squares made by children as young as 5 to a senior age 94 from all over the United States as a symbol of hope for the HIV/AIDS infected children of Ukraine. Committee member Motrya Bojko-Walters, along with a group of talented volunteers masterfully joined the embroideries into a work of art that will be displayed at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center.

A tour for the "Rushnyk of Hope" is planned; it will encompass the Embassy of Ukraine, Ukrainian Consulates and other institutions. On the day after the banquet, Providna Nedilia, the Rushnyk was displayed at the museum in South Bound Brook, N.J., by Archbishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the United States.

Forty-three quilts which were donated through the effort of committee member Stephanie Hnatiw and the "Quilts for Kids" organization in the area run by Linda Ayre, were presented to Miss Universe. These quilts will be delivered to children with AIDS in Odesa.

The evening black-tie benefit banquet and ball in honor of Miss Universe were held in the banquet hall of the UECC. Among the honored guests was Metropolitan Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Archbishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Panamanian Consul Georgia Athanopulos. The banquet was opened with tenor Bohdan Chaplynsky offering the American, Ukrainian and Panamanian anthems to the accompaniment of Roksolana Harasymovych.

Sharing the stage for the concert program of the banquet were the Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Taras Lewyckyj, artistic director), Prometheus Male Choir (Nestor Kyzymyshyn, director, Halya Mazurok-Reh, accompaniment), the International Ballet Theater, (Volodymyr Shoumeiken, choreographer) and Yuriy Melnychyk, teen pop star from Ukraine, who was specially invited from Ukraine for this event. After the banquet there was dancing late into the night to the music of The Forth Wave Orchestra.

The gala banquet was preceded by a cocktail reception in the galley, and the opening of a weeklong photo exhibit devoted to Ukrainian orphans titled "Starving for Color." These 40 photograph are the inspired works of Dr. Roksolana R. Tymiak-Lonchyna of Chicago and made a visible impact on the viewers.

Congressman Joseph Hoeffel (D-Pa.), and former Congressman Jon Fox took part, offering warm remarks. State Rep. Ellen Bard issued a welcome citation for Miss Universe. A spontaneous pledge from Olha Bochna of $1,000 inspired others to support the AIDS benefit with other donations, Metropolitan Soroka and Archbishop Anton each pledged $1,000, followed by Dr. Gregory Geba and an anonymous donor at another $1,000 each. Many others declared pledges in various amounts. As of this date, the total amount raised has not yet been determined.

On Sunday, May 4, a press conference and luncheon were held at the new Independence Visitor Center across from the Liberty Bell at Sixth and Market streets, in the historic district of Philadelphia with Miss Universe participating. The press conference was moderated by Dr. Andrij Chuma. A Philadelphia city official, Mjemsi Traylor, presented a replica of the Liberty Bell to Miss Universe. Dr. Serhiy Korsunsky of the Ukrainian Embassy gave an overview of the concern of the Ukrainian government for the welfare of the population and the near-epidemic rate of HIV/AIDS, especially among the youth.

"Thank you all, thank you for all your efforts. They are highly appreciated in Ukraine. The clinics and cities in Ukraine know what is being done for them (in North America); they know how much you are helping. The children who are saved by your efforts will remember you," he stated.

Dr. Korsunsky also sparked applause from the audience by announcing that Ukraine will soon open an Embassy in Panama. He said jokingly that when the Ukrainian government learned that Miss Universe had been born in Ukraine, they decided immediately to open an Embassy in Panama. The Panamanian consul offered remarks and words of support.

Afterwards the committee invited Miss Universe across the street to the Liberty Bell for a picture-taking session.

Special reports were broadcast about the weekend events into Ukraine via Voice of America and Radio Liberty.

The planning committee also recognized the need to appeal to U.S. legislators for funding to be granted to Ukraine to help combat HIV/AIDS. A petition was drafted to President George W. Bush, Sens. Arlen Spector and Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, as well as to Congressman Henry Hyde, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. Richard Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urging that the U.S. Global AIDS Initiative be expanded to include direct financial and medical aid to Ukraine to help combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. The general community is encouraged to help in the petition drive and draft similar petitions to senators from each state.

The Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center (UECC) is a non-profit, non-sectarian institution serving Philadelphia and surrounding community for 23 years, providing cultural enrichment and a better understanding of the Ukrainian heritage. The UECC hosted these events to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in Ukraine. It is estimated that 300,000 to 400,000 people are infected with HIV, making Ukraine the highest infection rate in Europe and sixth in the world.

Orysia L. Hewka, executive director of the UECC, served as chairperson of the events with a dedicated and energetic planning committee whose members were: Dr. Roxolana Horbowyj, Dr. Salak, Dr. Andrij Tershakovec, Dr. Natalia Pazuniak, Dr. Chuma, Tekla Andruchiw, Oksana Antoniak, Irena Bereziak, Lesia Chmelko, Tamara Chomiak, Sue Cohen, Marusia Cyhan, Natalka Firko, Stephanie Hnatiw, Tonia Katruk, Elizabeth Kolomyec, Sofia Koropecky, Hanna Kricka, Yaropolk Kulchyckyj, Kristine Rizanow, Lee Rudakewych, Mary Rudakewych, Maria Schwed, Steve Vetterlein and Ms. Bojko-Watters.

For updated information readers may visit the UECC website at www.ukrainiancenterphila.org or e-mail contact@ukrainiancenterphila.org.

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