Ukraine Neurology Initiative

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The Ukraine Neurology Initiative (UNI) was formed in February 2022, soon after the invasion of Ukraine. Initially a grassroots movement of neurologists, UNI has now partnered with Brother's Brother Foundation Foundation (BBF), continuing to supply anti-seizure medications and other critical supplies for neurology patients in Ukraine who would otherwise not have access.

Epilepsy affects nearly 250,000 Ukrainian adults and children. Since February 24th, war has disrupted their access to medications, putting them at risk for serious injury and death. Neurologists across the country and the well-established non-profit Brother’s Brother Foundation (BBF) have been working directly with neurologists in Ukraine to ensure access to seizure and neurology medications for the displaced and besieged Ukrainian people.

As our effort has evolved, we have included other neurologic medications and disability needs: stroke, Parkinson's disease, and people with physical disabilities. To date, we have collectively raised 450,000 dollars (as of 12/22/22), of which about 120,000 dollars of medications and supplies have already arrived. Your support to this effort is vital and appreciated.

Goal

​Our goal is to provide immediate relief for patients with epilepsy and other neurologic disorders. Currently, many of these medications and supplies are not available in Ukraine (even hard to purchase).

Ukraine Neurology Fund

Brother’s Brother Foundation (BBF) has donated 150K towards anti-seizure and other neurology medications in the Ukraine Neurology Fund. An additional 75K has also been raised through grassroots efforts, and ~225K in funds to date have been donated and raised by BBF for collaborations with prosthetics and neurorehabilitation efforts. Medications and supplies are purchased and shipped to pediatric epileptologist Dr. Olha Tychivska, who confirms receipt and distributes throughout the country to their national epilepsy registry of outpatients, as well as to hospitals around the country.

Donate here. Choose "Ukraine Neurology Fund" for the gift designation. 100% of proceeds go directly to purchase of neurologic medications and other medical equipment identified as urgently needed by our partners in Ukraine. We are additionally raising funds and accepting donations for new coats and sleeping bags for the winter months.

Social media

Spreading our message through social media platforms has been an integral part of the grassroots response from our group, from the initial call to action from the Ukrainian League Against Epilepsy to the ongoing connections we have been able to make with different institutions. This is an important (and free) way to help.

Additional information

Our efforts have been published in news and academic settings.

Epileptologists Unite Across the Globe to Aid Ukraine

President's Column: Academy Updates from AAN's President | AAN

World Answers Ukrainian Neurologists' Desperate Cry for Help

Contact information:

Neurologists:

• Dr. Olha Tychivkska (olhatychivska@gmail.com)

• Dr. Agnieszka Kielian, agnieszka.kielian@childrens.harvard.edu,

• Dr. Svetlana Faktorovich, Sfaktorovich@baptisthealth.net

• Dr. Aris Hadjinicolaou, aris.hadjinicolaou@childrens.harvard.edu

• Dr. Christina Briscoe Abath, christina.briscoeabath@childrens.harvard.edu

• NP Danielle Friedman Danielle.Friedman@childrens.harvard.edu

• Dr. Alina Ivaniuk, alina.v.ivaniuk@gmail.com

• Dr. Irina Anselm, irina.anselm@childrens.harvard.edu

• Dr. Anna Minster, anna.minster@childrens.harvard.edu

• Dr. Alina Sharinn, alinasharinn57@gmail.com

• Dr. Alex Paciorkowski, Alex_Paciorkowski@URMC.Rochester.edu

• Dr. Elaine Wirrell, Wirrell.Elaine@mayo.edu

• Dr. Yuliya Snyder, yuliya_snyder@yahoo.com

Brother’s Brother Foundation:

• Ozzy Samad, osamad@brothersbrother.org

• Liam Carstens, lcarstens@brothersbrother.org

• Tanner Rowe, trowe@brothersbrother.org

Additional organizational partners and donors:

• Marcus Neuroscience Institute/ Baptist Health System, https://www.brrh.com/Services/Marcus-Neuroscience-Institute.aspx

• Rochester Regional Health Foundation, https://www.rocukrainemedrelief.net/

• Row Foundation, https://rowglobal.org/

• Upsher-Smith, https://www.upsher-smith.com/

• Liva Nova, https://www.livanova.com/en-u Non-Exhaustive List of Collaborators: Olha Tychkivska, Aristides Hadjinicolaou, Anna Minster , Irina Anselm, Danielle Friedman, Alina Ivaniuk, Elaine Wirrell, Alina Sharinn, Alexander Paciorkowski , Yuliya Snyder, Mike Corcoran, Todd Stone, Ozzy Samad, Agnieszka Kielian, Svetlana Faktorovich