Before the war escalated here, I worked in a home for elderly and disabled veterans in Mariupol. I ended up staying there for two weeks, working around the clock — my patients really needed me and the bombing made it too dangerous to leave. Once my patients were able to evacuate, I still wanted to help.
I started driving around my city to see patients that had been displaced by the war. My own car became my clinic.
Eventually I started working with the IRC mobile medical team to see patients who couldn't otherwise be reached.
Many people, especially elderly and those too sick to evacuate, had no way to find care unless we came to them.
Anastasiia, 25, and her son Rinat, 2, at an appointment with Dr. Oleg. Her son has heart problems, and there is no doctor or medical facility where they'd get help.
I am happy to ask you to support the IRC, because we are providing a level of specialized assistance that many other organizations cannot in Ukraine. Donate now to send 3x the emergency aid to Ukraine and crisis zones around the world. Harsh winter weather is taking hold and children and families need blankets, heaters and medical care to survive.
The first few times our mobile medical team saw new patients we had to explain they could trust us to follow up, that we would not abandon them.
It's a promise I'm proud to keep, but it's only possible with your support.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity, especially today.
Dr. Oleg
Dr. Oleg Marchenko
Ukraine Mobile Medical Clinic
International Rescue Committee
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