WA Ships Ukraine 32 Tons Of Medical Supplies

Seattle WA

29 March, 2022

3:32 PM

Description

SEATTLE — A cargo plane packed with medical supplies departed Seattle for Ukraine on Monday, thanks to a region-wide effort to collect donations to help Ukrainian hospitals treat patients as the Russian invasion continues. Gov. Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell were among the delegation gathered at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Monday afternoon to see the plane off, which was loaded with 32 tons of donated medical supplies valued at $3.5 million. "Once again, Washingtonians are stepping up to serve as a beacon of hope and support in the fight for freedom and democracy," Inslee said. "The world has been inspired by the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people, and we are standing with them and taking action however we can reinforce their efforts." Monday's shipment is the result of a joint humanitarian effort between the nonprofit Nova Ukraine, Stanford University, the Ukrainian Association of Washington State and the Ukrainian-American Cultural Association of Oregon. The groups collected supplies from Medical Team International and Medical Team Worldwide, and sorted donations from local hospitals, including EvergreenHealth Medical Center and Overlake Medical Center. Officials said the immediate need in Ukraine made utilizing cargo ships unfeasible, and flying the sizeable shipment was the only way to make a difference in time. "Typical container shipping to Ukraine by sea took two months before the war," said Igor Markov, director of Nova Ukraine. "Currently, the urgent need for medical supplies requires the use of cargo planes. We are able to get supplies to hospitals in two weeks or less." According to the Port of Seattle, Monday's shipment included: Surgical supplies like surgical tools, sutures, drug eluting cardiac stents, vessel loops, sterile field equipment, etc.Emergency supplies like hemostatic agents, traction splints, chest tubes, laryngoscopes, ET tubes, etc.Medical machines like anesthesia machines, vital monitors, ECGs, etc.General hospital supplies like gauze/bandages, IV/arterial lines, sterile syringes/needles, etc. Pre-hospital treatment supplies to help civilians wounded during Russian attacks such as pre-made Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK), bulk tourniquets, QuikClot, sucking chest wound seals, gauze, and bandages. In addition to the donated medical supplies, Constantine said King County workers donated thousands to help organizations that organize shipments of supplies and other aid. "Hundreds of King County employees have also answered the call, raising more than $150,000 through our Employee Giving Program to donate to organizations helping send supplies and aid to the people of Ukraine," Constantine said. "As we continue to watch the bravery of the Ukrainian people, standing up and fighting for their country — and fighting for the future of democracy in Europe and around the world — we echo our ongoing sentiment: we are with you in this fight." Next month, three dozen King County mayors will host the "Mayors' Concert for Ukraine and Refugees Worldwide" at the Seattle Symphony, with donations collected to support the Seattle Refugee Fund. Those interested in donating to the organizations involved in this week's shipment can visit the following websites: Nova Ukraine — novaukraine.orgUkrainian Association of Washington State — uaws.orgUkrainian Student Association at Stanford — Stanford Student FundraiserUkrainian-American Cultural Association of Oregon