Friends mobilize to help save ailing man (09/18/05)

Friends mobilize to help save ailing man

by Donna Kuzemczak

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. - Paul Baran, 42, a resident of Cedar Knolls, N.J., is facing his toughest battle. This cherished husband, a beloved father of two young children, a dear friend to many and a valuable member of the Ukrainian Community has recently been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

Mr. Baran and his wife, Nina, are originally from Clifton, N.J., where they were parishioners of the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church and active members of the Passaic branch of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM). For the past six years they have resided in Cedar Knolls and have been parishioners of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church and members of the Whippany branch of SUM. They have many new friends and a loving family, but their world has been shattered by cancer.

The disease has put unthinkable hardship on Mr. Baran, his wife and children. The financial implications alone are staggering; they have been faced with decisions that no one would ever want to make.

An ad hoc group that is calling itself Friends of Paul Baran is appealing to Ukrainian Americans for their help. "This is where we all have the opportunity to help. Perhaps in a small way we can lessen the financial burden from Paul's shoulders while he waits for a bone marrow match to be found and focuses on beating this disease," notes a letter sent to Ukrainian American community members.

Contributions, with checks made payable to Paul Baran, may be sent to: Paul Baran Fund-Raiser, c/o Donna Kuzemczak, 67 Forest Way, Morris Plains, NJ 07950.

In addition, a fund-raising dinner will be held on September 21 at the Ukrainian Center, 240 Hope Ave., Passaic, N.J., at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in attending should contact Ms. Kuzemczak, (973) 644-4920, or Walter Hryckowian, (973) 471-2191.

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