Contact:
| Michael Snyder 317-829-7408 msnyder@expidant.com |
Victor Kubik 317-216-0802 |
LifeNets announces plans to raise $150,000 for children victims of Chernobyl,marking the 15th anniversary of the nuclear disaster and the plant’s final closing
INDIANAPOLIS—LifeNets (www.lifenets.org), a nonprofit international relief organization based here, will work to raise $150,000 in 2001 for children still suffering from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, according to Michael Snyder, LifeNets chairman. "The Chernobyl plant is finally closed and international awareness is fast fading of its horrific impact, but in reality the disaster rages on in what has been termed ‘the lost generation,’" Snyder said.
A recent study in Cancer magazine reported that current thyroid cancer levels in Chernobyl area children are ten times the pre-disaster level (the study was jointly conducted by the University of Pennsylvania and the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine).
LifeNets has been supporting the Chernihev Centre of Medical Social Rehabilitation (located 40 miles from the now-dormant Chernobyl nuclear power plant) since 1997. The Centre, which was founded in 1996 by a former Ukrainian now living in the United Kingdom, specializes in the treatment and rehabilitation of children suffering from medical and psychological effects of the 1986 nuclear disaster. LifeNets sponsored the first U.S. research trip by the Centre’s director, Dr. Vasil Pasechnik in 1999. During the trip he met with several oncologists and pediatric specialists at the Mayo Clinic, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and other medical research facilities, and also met with Indiana First Lady Judy O’Bannon and officials from the Hudson Institute, Eli Lilly, Barnes & Thornberg and the International Centre of Indianapolis.
"LifeNets is our chief supporter, without whom we would face grave difficulties in continuing our operations," Dr. Pasechnik said. "We remain very grateful for this current effort, as it will relieve many of our ongoing challenges to extend our operations for the very needy."
"To raise this money during Chernobyl’s 15th anniversary is very appropriate," said Victor Kubik, LifeNets president and founder. "Only a few years ago many medical officials thought the aftereffects of the disaster would be light. Now the horror of the disaster is openly relived through innocent children stricken with cancer. We must not forget these helpless victims, as their numbers grow daily."
LifeNets has previously sent hundreds of thousands of dollars in supplies, medical equipment and donations to the Centre in efforts led by Kubik. The organization hopes to raise the funds by the April 26 anniversary date, Snyder said.
LifeNets is a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization and all donations are tax-deductible in the United States. More information about LifeNets activities in Chernobyl and other international regions can be found at the organization’s Web site: www.lifenets.org
Donations can be made to
LifeNets - Chernobyl
3707 Turfway Ct.
Indianapolis, IN 46228-2095