2022 Report
Project Director
UDP Highlights
- Since 1990 over 1900 children with diabetes have each received diabetes supplies
- Each child has received 10 hours of diabetes education
- Over 1.9 million dollars worth of diabetes supplies have been provided to these children in Ukraine
- Children have participated in UDP camps in seven regions of Ukraine including Cherkasy, Poltava, Kharkiv, Vinnitsa, Ternopil, Sukak, and Kiyiv
Diabetes Summer Camp in Kiyiv
In July, Andy Skrypka, Ukrainian Diabetes Project Director, Ellen Simpson MD, and Kate Broderson made the 11th journey to Ukraine, returning to the Kiyiv region for the fourth year. As in the past, the medical team spent two weeks teaching children and their parents about diabetes care. This medical team also provided education, blood testing strips, and lancing devices to 120 children.
As a new venture, UDP sponsored four village children at the camp. “We would not have had the opportunity to participate at camp this year if it wasn’t for the support of the Ukrainian Diabetes Project (UDP)”, expressed one grateful mother.
The UDP not only teaches children and their parents how to live a healthy life with diabetes, but it encourages the fight for better healthcare. A long time advocate for patients’ diabetes needs in America, Skrypka encourages Ukrainian parents and children to do the same in Ukraine.
Kiyiv’s diabetes Camp “Orlenok” is located on the outskirts of Kiyiv. The UDP participated in two of the four camp sessions.
For the second year, through a special donation from Bayer Corporation, a DCA 2000 meter was brought to the camp. This meter measures blood glucose levels over a 3 month period called glycosylated hemoglobin or HbA1C. Seventy-five children were tested in 1999. “They were very anxious to have the test repeated again this year, Skrypka explained. They wanted to see if they were able to improve their blood sugar control over the past year.” Many new children had the test done for the first time. The American Diabetes Association recommends all diabetics have their HbA1C measured 2-4 times a year. Most children in Ukraine have never had the opportunity to take this test. The average HbA1C test for the 72 children tested was 10.5%. Normal HbA1C is 4-6%. The average HbA1C of diabetics in the US is 9.4%
Village Children
This summer brought great fortune to four village children: Yanna Dmitrechenko, Vova Boiko,Ksenia Vikulina and Vasa Bacal. Through financial support from the Ukrainian Diabetes Project, four families were able to participate at Camp Orlenok for one 2-week session. “The families were overwhelmed with emotion upon meeting us,” expressed Andy Skrypka, Project Director, filled with emotion herself. “It was a wonderful opportunity for all.”
The campers:
Yanna Dmitrechenko, 10 years old, lives in Sverdlovs’k. She was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of four. Vova Boiko, 12 years old, lives in Spassk-Dal’niy. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1997.
Ksenia Vikulina, 14 years old, lives in Sverdlovsk. She has had diabetes for 11 years. And last but not least is Vasa Bacal. He is 12 years old, lives in Boguslav and has had diabetes for 6 years. Each child was accompanied by their mother.
Living in a village brings extra concerns to children with diabetes. Distance to the hospital, lack of emergency vehicles, no personal transportation, and no phones, are just a few obstacles. These realities can mean life or death for a child with diabetes
Camp was a great opportunity for the mothers to connect with each other and talk about the battles ahead. Diabetics continue to cry for better healthcare, better insulin, access to information on diabetes and more.
Diabetes Charity Fund of Kiyiv
It is widely known that diabetes is not so much an illness as it is a way of life. Whether it is a manageable way of life depends on the availability of high-quality insulin and blood sugar controlling products to a diabetic. Access to social assistance and the means to self-control diabetes are also important. Unfortunately, in Ukraine little of this exists. Thus, people who have diabetes must fight for their lives by uniting together and forming organizations.
In 1993, in the city of Kiyiv, the capital of Ukraine, individuals did exactly that-founded the organization “Diabetes Charity Fund of Kiyiv.” It is a nonprofit organization that protects and represents the interests of individuals with diabetes. Currently, the Diabetes Charity Fund of Kiyiv represents 1500 members, 420 of which are children under the age of 18.
“We gather together to help teach each other ways to create a healthy lifestyle while living with diabetes,” Fund president Natalya Vlaseko explains.
This organization works closely with government officials and sponsors seven programs throughout the year to keep its momentum.
- Since 1990 over 1900 children with diabetes have each received diabetes supplies
- Each child has received 10 hours of diabetes education
Ukrainian Diabetes Project – 10 Year Anniversary Approaches
The Ukrainian Diabetes Project tries to stay informed about other diabetes camps active in Ukraine. Since 1990, UDP has collaborated with the medical staff in seven regions of Ukraine: Cherkasy, Poltava, Kharkiv, Vinnitsa, Ternopil, Sudak, and most recently in Kiyiv. According to resources attending a conference in November 2000 in Kiyiv, Days of Diabetes, most camps were not in operation this past summer. This was mainly due to the great economical burden the country continues to experience. Kiyiv is very fortunate to have the non-profit organization “Diabetes Charity Fundof Kiyiv” led
by visionaries who continue to keep their summer camp alive. The Ukrainian DiabeteProject tries to stay informed about other diabetes camps active in Ukraine. Since 1990, UDP has collaborated with the medical staff in seven regions of Ukraine: Cherkasy, Poltava, Kharkiv, Vinnitsa, Ternopil, Sudak, and most recently in Kiyiv. According to resources attending a conference in November 2000 in Kiyiv, Days of Diabetes, most camps were not in operation this past summer. This was mainly due to the great economical burden the country continues to experience. Kiyiv is very fortunate to have the non-profit organization “Diabetes Charity Fundof Kiyiv” led by visionaries who continue to keep their summer camp alive.
About Dmitriy…
I want to thank very much the American families who support the efforts of the UDP, who have told us about diabetes and how to live with it
Dmitriy…
Dmitriy Sumofal, age 20, died this summer from a complication unrelated to diabetes. He was a camp counselor at Camp Orlenik in Kiyiv. He had diabetes and was a great athlete. He was a positive role model to the young children at camp.
Until there is a cure, there is education.
