Naperville Organizations Shift to Raise Funds for Medical Aid for Ukrainian’s Military Hospitals

Naperville, IL–The Naperville Sister Cities Commission has been partnering with Marquette Companies, Edward-Elmhurst Health, the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and KidsMatter, to collect donations to provide desperately needed medical supplies and equipment to Ukrainian refugees. One of Naperville’s Sister Cities, Nitra Slovakia is on the border of Ukraine. In the past few weeks, the effort has shifted to send medical equipment and supplies to military field hospitals in Kyiv, the nations’s capital.

“Members of Naperville’s Sister Cities Commission have been watching the ongoing military invasion in Ukraine with the same shock and helplessness as many in Naperville and around the globe,” said Patty Gustin, Naperville City Councilwoman and Council Representative to the Commission. “As this ongoing humanitarian crisis evolves, we know one thing will remain in the coming days and week- Ukrainians need our assistance.”

Sister Cities Commissioner Peter Foyo also serves as an Honorary Counsel of Ukraine. As the fighting continues and many civilians have evacuated, it has become critical to send medical equipment and supplies to the capital where it can be distributed to military field hospitals that are receiving the wounded. All donations raised will be used to purchase portable medical equipment and supplies urgently needed including defibrillators, ultrasound equipment, perfusors, scalpels, sterilization kits, gowns, gloves and bandages. To make a secure donation via credit or debit card visit http://helpdisplacedukrainians.com.

“We are all aware of how fiercely the Ukranians are defending their sovereign nation. Our hope is to show Naperville’s compassion and cooperation as we support those helping the wounded,” says Foyo, who has family and friends in Ukraine. “ We have already begun to send equipment , but every day we get requests for more help. Every little bit helps us secure what is needed so desperately. Please give whatever you can.”

The Sister Cities Commission creates a greater understanding of and fosters a lasting friendship between the people of Naperville and its sister cities: Nitra, Slovakia; Cancun, Mexico; and Pátzcuaro, México. The commission supports the goals of the Sister Cities Program including creating opportunities for cultural exploration; providing economic development and trade opportunities; opening a dialogue that addresses mutual issues; and developing partnerships through which we can creatively learn, work and solve problems together.