Emergency help for kids after Russian shelling

Our dear Friend,

With hearts full of boundless gratitude, we reach out to you. Your compassion illuminates the darkest hours for many Ukrainian families. It gives them the strength to fight, to never surrender, to hold fast to the belief in a brighter tomorrow. 

This profound impact was never more visible than on that harrowing morning of July 8, 2024. Russia launched a powerful strike — 38 missiles. One of them hit the “Okhmatdyt” hospital. The largest children's hospital in Ukraine, which has been treating the most complex children's diagnoses and saving hundreds of lives for years.

The attack killed two people and injured dozens of others. One building was completely destroyed. Other buildings were damaged, including the new one with oncology departments. This day was a painful reminder of the challenges Ukrainians face.

But among the ruins of that day, we saw incredible humanity and unity grow. We have launched an emergency project called “Emergency help for children after the shelling”, which raised almost $300 000. Thanks to your support, the support of Ukrainian philanthropists, and international companies, we managed to raise more than $2.59 million for “Okhmatdyt”.

No matter how much you contributed, your support meant more than just the money. It was a crucial act of solidarity at that time. Without it, the restoration process would have taken much longer. 

Since the first days after the attack, Tabletochki has been working to help Okhmatdyt recover and ensure uninterrupted, high-quality cancer treatment for its patients.

As of June 30, 2025, more than $1.5 million has already been allocated to support the hospital and its patients. Here's how these funds were used:

• $322 000 — expert assessment of the damage, emergency stabilization, and repairs in the hospital’s new building, which became the core facility after the missile strike.
  Thanks to these efforts, the building endured the winter without further damage, and the hospital never stopped operating — not even for a day.

• $978 000 — medicines and medical supplies for children at Okhmatdyt. This included targeted support for 258 families and centralized procurement for the hospital departments. 
  
  
• $165 000 — infrastructure recovery, including critical IT systems.
  
  
• $21 000 — temporary housing for patients and their families in outpatient apartments rented by us. Due to damaged wards, this need has increased.
  
  
• $24 000 — essential items for patients and medical staff, including blankets, pillows, food, clothes, and toys.

Despite the missile attack, all oncology departments at “Okhmatdyt” continue to work. We support infrastructure projects, buy equipment, medicines, and supplies, maintain educational programs for doctors, and provide patients all sorts of assistance on a regular basis.

But that's not all. We joined in the hospital's reconstruction financially and coordinatively. Viacheslav Bykov, the foundation's executive director, joined the Okhmatdyt Restoration Council under the Ministry of Health.

This allows us to ensure transparent and efficient use of donors' funds, advocate for the needs of Ukrainian children and promote the hospital's development.

• “Recovery after terror creates opportunities. Opportunities to do something in a new way and reach a level of care even greater than before. As a person who supports Ukrainian healthcare for a long time, I want Okhmatdyt not to miss these opportunities,” said Viacheslav.

Rebuilding a huge hospital that cannot stop working even for a day is an extremely complex project. There is still a lot of work ahead. The war continues. But we continue to fight because we believe that no child in Ukraine should die because of cancer.

We are not alone. From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for standing with us on that terrible day. Thank you for helping the hospital keep doing its vital work, and for ensuring children get the treatment they need.

Your sensitivity is changing the world for the better!