A Message from the Board of Directors
The International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) is devastated by witnessing the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and have great concern about the significant impact it is having on cancer patients fleeing the country, as well as those who cannot. Critical diagnostic evaluations, cancer treatment and supportive care have been and continue to be disrupted. The safety of people living with a cancer diagnosis, along with their carers and healthcare providers, must be a priority.
IKCC is committed to supporting patients and healthcare professionals in Ukraine and bordering countries which are receiving refugees to help ensure cancer patients get the continued care and support they need. We encourage kidney cancer patients to reach out to IKCC and Affiliate Organisations in the affected regions to help them navigate the local health systems and access care.
Specifically, IKCC has been working with local clinicians, cancer societies and patient groups to help patients access the continued care they need. We have engaged medical translators who are translating medical records to Polish and English to help ease and expedite the transition. IKCC is also translating kidney cancer-specific resources into Ukrainian to be shared by Affiliate Organisations in their regions.
In addition, IKCC has made a financial donation to the Rakiety Foundation, a charity based in Poland working directly with refugees who are cancer patients. This charity is focused on providing medical transport from the border, facilitating continuity of care and treatment in Poland, providing psychosocial and basic needs support, and managing a 24-hour Info-line. We encourage others who can, to donate to the Foundation here.
Please contact Julia Black at julia@ikcc.org if you have any questions, would like to provide additional support or your organization needs help to assist Ukrainian cancer patient refugees.
IKCC Affiliate Organisations in Eastern and Central Europe
Czech Republic: Onkomaják
Germany: Das Lebenshaus e.V.
Germany: Uronauten e.V.
Macedonia: BORKA-For Each New Day
Poland: Association “GLADIATOR”
Poland: Polish Amazons Social Movement