Drug companies join forces to combat deadliest tropical diseases

Bill Gates gets pharmaceutical giants to promise drug giveaways and unprecedented pledge to share research on new antidotes

The heads of 13 of the world's biggest drug companies, brought together by Bill Gates, have agreed to donate more medicines and, in a rare spirit of co-operation, to work together to find new ones in an attempt to end many neglected tropical diseases that kill and maim some of the poorest people on the planet.

Rinat Akhmetov: The problem of orphanage is counting its last days

On 19 December, FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov along with the composer Igor Krutoy visited orphans from the Dnipropetrovsk region. During the visit, Rinat Leonidovich answered the questions from children and journalists.


- Rinat Leonidovich, what was the most difficult choice that you had to make in your life and what factors helped you make the right decision?

Synergy of business and heart

If you have a job or some income, then almost every day you have to solve the difficult moral problem: whether to give alms to beggars and the needy, who await you on almost central street. But then questions arise: To everyone or every second person? Every day or only on Tuesdays? In coins or notes? Only for bread or also for a shot of vodka? Yet these questions are so difficult that they often remain unsolved.

Yuriy Logush: Indifference is the main obstacle for philanthropy

Yuri Logush, vice president of Kraft International, chairman of the company “Kraft Foods Ukraine” told about the reasons that make him and his wife Tatyana support the literary contest “The Coronation of the Word“, about achievements and the innovations.
 
The idea of ​​establishing “The Coronation of the Word” (All-Ukrainian contest of manuscripts. – “Delo”) appeared in the late ’90s, when me and my wife Tanya came to Kiev bookstores searching for Ukrainian books, but we hardly found any!

And those that still were available, were gathering dust in the far corners of the shelves. Then we set a goal that each Ukrainian family was able to read in Ukrainian. At the time of Stalin’s purges about 250 writers were killed. We want to return to Ukraine the same number of new names.

And for today about 180 books were published – the winners of the contest.
And after we have established a literary contest, we wanted to share our achievements: to deliver new books to libraries, orphanages, boarding schools. That is how the idea of ​​creating the Fund “Art Skarbnitsya” (Art Treasury) appeared, meant to revive, promote and support еру Ukrainian culture and art. During the past five years, the Fund, leaded by Tatyana, has been holding annual charity masquerade ball “Carnival”, aimed to promote not only the noble entertainments, but also a noble tradition of philanthropy. Thanks to Fund “Art Skarbnitsya”, over 10 thousand books arrived to young readers from all over the country: Kiev, Zaporozhye, Sevastopol, Poltava.  We donate books to public libraries, orphanages, schools; we publish the books by the contest winners, and the readers buy them. Movies are made by works of authors of “The Coronation of the Word”   (“Button”, “They throw away the withered flowers” by I. Rozdobudko, “Dark Water” “The snake is crawling” by A. Kokotyukha), plays are staged (“Sweet Darusya” by M. Matios). I am extremely pleased to see how the competition is stimulating the authors for creative development: A. Kokotyukha, I. Rozdobudko, N. and A. Shevchenko are the novelists and screenwriters, A. Gavrosh combines the talents of the playwrighter and children’s writer, S. Mirny is as well both the screenwriter and novelist.

During the year the writers’ marathon is held inUkrainian cities, and every time our writers gather the full audience. It is already the promotion of reading in general – and this new level, which we didn’t even dreamt of, but have achieved.

In 2011, we will continue development of both “The Coronation of the Word” and “Carnival.”  The first one will introduce a new subnomination “The best work for children”, which will be awarded in each of the existing nominations: the best song for children, best screenplay for the children movie , best play and  novel for children. “Carnival” is now considering proposals for cooperation with other regions of Ukraine.

I believe, indifference is the major obstacle to the development of philanthropy in Ukraine, and, whether the lack of time, or opportunities to consider carefully the philanthropy matters. All of us should finally get rid of indifference to ourselves;  we should be open to the good, be prepared to do good personally.

via orekhovao.wordpress.com

Rinat Akhmetov Foundation “Development of Ukraine” together with FC “Shakhtar” gives a play-day for children from foster families

On September 20, before the national Adoption day, that is celebrated in our country in the end of the month, “Pitmen” were hosting children from foster families. FC “Shakhtar” together with Rinat Akhmetov Foundation “Development of Ukraine” have organized this party day for 37 children from 4 to 17 years from Donetsk, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions within the joint project, Say No to Orphanhood.

– In our country, there are about 100 000 orphans, and only one tenth of them being are brought up in families, says Yuri Sviridov, the Marketing and Communications Director of FC “Shakhtar”.  – Family-type organizations are very effective tools in the fight against social orphanhood in Ukraine. That is why FC “Shakhtar” has been involved for a long time in this project organized by Rinat Akhmetov’ Foundation, supporting this important direction. Together we want to draw attention of community and fans to this problem, using all our capacities.

Almost all the day kids from five families together with their foster parents were walking around the stadium and museum, had played tabletop football with the animators, and took the pictures with the Moles (mascots of Shakhtar). Even the Fan-cafe located at the stadium was at their disposal. Here, young visitors had the delicious breakfast and lunch, as well as rested after two hours of exciting excursions, but also met with the organizers of the festival, who presented gifts from Shakhtar.

– We are all so impressed – Elena Zosim-Vinnik, the mother of two and adoptive mother of five, could not hide her feelings. – Frankly, until now, I could hardly believe that kids could be invited and come to the stadium just like that and get such memorable experiences. I thought it was a joke and even called back – it turned out to be true. We are not accustomed to that much attention and such presents, so we are very grateful that we had an opportunity to visit Donbass Arena. After all, all our children are football fans. Look at them – they are happy!

According to the children, visiting their favorite team locker rooms and museum of the club was the most interesting thing for them on this day. Championship trophies, life-size statues of players, hand- and footprints of legendary players, photos of Pitmen on the Wall of Fame – everything was interesting to the children. They were taking pictures next to almost every exhibit. And the foggy screen and interactive “football” floor brought the guys to the real excitement.

Darya Kasyanova, Leader of foster care promotion and family building in Rinat Akhmetov’ Foundation “Development of Ukraine”:
FC “Shakhtar” has been our partner in the project Say No to Orphanhood since the last year. It is very important that the football club, players and employees share our values ​​and are doing their best that children live and are raised in the families. It has become a tradition that we invite children from family-type organizations to visit Donbass Arena. Last year we held such event, but only children from Donetsk region were invited. This time, we expanded the geography. The kids dreamt to see the Donbass Arena, they have never been here before. We gave them this opportunity and are happy that the children’s party was a success.

via orekhovao.wordpress.com

Tragic hockey star’s lifesaving legacy

A sad twist in the Yak-42 tragedy reveals that one of Lokomotiv players who died in the crash was anonymously giving money to sick kids, and the last half-million ruble payment was transferred to a young cancer patient minutes before the take-off.

It was several days ago that the parents of 16-year-old Diana Ibragimova from Voronezh learned the real name of the man who saved their daughter’s life. Ivan Tkachenko, captain of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey club, was sending big sums of money to Voronezh without disclosing his name or expecting any gratitude at all, Lifenews online tabloid reports.

Diana’s mother burst into tears when she learned Ivan had died in a horrible accident. It took her a long time to understand that the man she knew nothing about, just that his name was Ivan, was in fact Ivan Tkachenko, captain of the famous Lokomotiv hockey club.

The hockey player’s secret was disclosed thanks to a well-known Russian blogger, Varfolomeev. In one of his latest posts he wrote that the athlete had regularly been transferring large sums of money to sick children. Diana was one of the several lucky children whom Ivan had patronized.

Ivan transferred money to Diana’s family twice, and both times he asked that his name not be indicated under any circumstances. 

“We did not even know who our daughter’s benefactor was, just his first name,” cried Elena, Diana’s mother. “We received 500,000-ruble transfers twice; they both came from an unknown Ivan. I thought he might be a successful businessman and could not imagine he was one of the best-known Russian hockey players. Such a young man!”exclaims Elena.

After the family received the second transfer, they wrote a letter to Ivan, but they never received an answer. Neither Diana nor her mother knew that just minutes after sending the money, Ivan Tkachenko died in a horrific plane crash not far from the city of Yaroslavl. 

The modest young hockey player did not like to talk about his philanthropy. Only his closest friends knew that Ivan helped children who were diagnosed with terrible diseases. 

“Vanya adored children,” one of Tkachenko’s friends recalled. “His wife is now expecting their third child.”

His relatives say Ivan always rushed to help when he saw a child needed his assistance.

“Ivan did not want anyone to know he was taking part in charity,” said the authorities at the Advita charity fund. “He did not want gratitude; he just helped kids and adults who were in need of his help. He saved many lives!” they added.

via rt.com 

Vlada Prokaeva: The authorities do not have money to afford either a rural library or the talented young people

Vlada Prokaeva, Head of the Foundation “Talented Children are the Future of Ukraine” told about the priorities of her philanthropic activities.

Apple to match charitable donations made by its employees

The recently installed Apple CEO Tim Cook sent out an email to employees on Thursday announcing a matching gift program for charitable donations.

According to the email, obtained by MacRumors, when an Apple employee gives money to a non-profit organization, the Cupertino company will equal the donation up to $10,000 annually. The scheme kicks off on September 15.

The new program currently applies only to US employees of the computer giant, though there are plans to include Apple workers around the rest of the world at some point in the future.

When that happens, donations could add up to a sizable sum – Apple is thought to have around 50,000 employees globally.

Cook said in his email that it was the generosity of Apple employees who already make donations that inspired the creation of the program. Fortunately the company is in a healthy enough financial position to be able to launch the new scheme.

Here’s the full text of Cook’s email:

Team:

I am very happy to announce that we are kicking off a matching gift program for charitable donations. We are all really inspired by the generosity of our co-workers who give back to the community and this program is going to help that individual giving go even farther.

Starting September 15, when you give money to a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Apple will match your gift dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 annually. This program will be for full-time employees in the US at first, and we’ll expand it to other parts of the world over time.

Thank you all for working so hard to make a difference, both here at Apple and in the lives of others. I am incredibly proud to be part of this team.

If you’d like more information on the program, you can get it on HRWeb, which can be easily accessed through AppleWeb.

Tim

via news.yahoo.com

Vlada Prokaeva Charitable Foundation “Talented Children are the Future of Ukraine”

The Head of the Charitable Foundation “Talented Children are the Future of Ukraine” Vlada Prokaeva is a famous business lady, adviser to the Minister of Ukraine for Family, Youth and Sports, Deputy Head of UNESCO Department at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine under Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Miss Ukraine ’95, ex-president of one of most successful Ukrainian modeling agencies Karin MMG, the face of world-known brands and an idol of many Ukrainian girls. In 2007 Vlada founded a charitable foundation “Talented Children are the Future of Ukraine”, where she found her true calling.

Vlada was born in Brovary city, Kyiv region, on August 7, 1970.
In childhood she diligently studied music. In 1985 she graduated with an excellence award from Kyiv State Higher Music College named in honor of Glier majoring in fortepiano followed by Odessa Conservatory in 1994.
In September 2007 Vlada became a student at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She successfully graduated from the Academy in the summer of 2009 and became a postgraduate student in the fall. In September of 2010 Prokaeva was appointed the Deputy Head of UNESCO Department at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Adviser to the President of Ukraine announced the list of Ukrainian patrons

Anna German, Advisor to the President of Ukraine, announced the list of Ukrainian patrons
on August 19.
Among them were not only of Rinat Akhmetov, who is engaged in TB control and Viktor Pinchuk, who finances education of Ukrainian children abroad.
Boris Kolesnikov supports Ukrainian theatre, cinema and music, Dmitry Firtash helps WWII veterans and church communities. The noble tradition of philanthropy is developing among the wealthiest people. The name of Igor Voronov is worth to mention, who supports Ukrainian poets, actors, and never allows talking about it. The level of UKrainian poverty is similar to sand in the desert - there is no sign of those bits of help that drop out of wallets of wealthy people. It is a capitalist world. There are rich and poor. And we cannot help this - said German.
According to President's Advisor, a list of patrons is refilled with new names every year. 

ISD Corporation Charity and Sponsorship

Sergey Taruta, heading ISD Corporation, one of the largest private companies in Ukraine, was one of the top Ukrainian philanthropists in 2008-2009, according to portal delo.ua. 
There are seven key directions of ISD Corporation’s charity activity:

    * historical and cultural heritage retention;
    * modern culture;
    * children and future;
    * supporting medicine;
    * aid to low-income citizens;
    * support to the disabled;
    * developing sports

ISD Corporation's executives are among the most well-known philanthropists in Ukraine.
One of the most important projects aimed to retain Ukraine's historical heritage is Platar collection. At present it enumerates about 10 thousand unique items reflecting the historical stages of our country’s development within the period of eight thousand years.
Each year ISD supports a number of festivals and exhibitions of modern culture, many of them have already visited cultural capitals of Europe.
Among the most remarkable projects implemented under the auspices of ISD Corporation are the following events: a foreign tour of a symphony orchestra «Kyiv soloists», a European tour of a theatrical company of Zholdack, a Ukrainian director, and a jubilee benefit night of Ada Rogovtseva, a celebrated Ukrainian actress.
Each year we initiate and sponsor educational programs for youth and children. Best students of several universities in Ukraine and Eastern Europe as well as talented school children from musical schools receive grants from our company on a regular monthly basis.
The charity program aimed to support medical institutions in Ukraine and improve nation's health is a key project among other ISD’s philanthropic programs. Within recent years ISD Corporation initiated the providing of hospitals with unique medical devices and equipment. It rendered financial support to numerous hospitals. Among them is a Regional Clinical hospital for children, Donetsk regional anti-tumor centre, DOCTMO, a Regional research and practice centre for follow-up care of cerebral palsy and organic illnesses of children’s nervous system.
ISD pays attention to low-income citizens of Ukraine. It allocates financial aid to retired people and veterans on a yearly basis. It renders them monetary support on holidays. ISD Corporation together with Donetsk eparchy supports the home for elderly people in Telmanovo district, Donetsk Region.
ISD attracts public attention and renders aid to the disabled people. One of the brightest projects in CIS and Europe is «Touch and see», a tactile photo exhibition accompanied with sound for visually handicapped people. The idea of the project belongs to Yuri Bilak, a well-known Ukrainian French artist.

Company profile:
ISD Сorporation, headquartered in Donetsk, Ukraine, is a leading transnational steel company. The Corporation is a world-known producer of steel in Central and Eastern Europe, which production and rolling facilities are strategically situated in CIS and EU countries. Customers at world major sales markets are well-acquainted with ISD products.

Elena and Viktor Pinchuk obtained an award from Elton John AIDS Foundation

On 18 October 2010, during the annual ceremony «Enduring Vision» at Cipriani Wall Street, NY, Elena and Viktor Pinchuk obtained an award from Elton John AIDS Foundation for the significant contribution to the AIDS control. Video by Ukrainian STB TV channel.

NATIONAL CHARITY DAY IN UKRAINE

National Charity Day in Ukraine was established by President Viktor Yushchenko in 2007 and is commemorated every second Sunday of December.
Everyone is familiar with the concept of  the charity, it means support provided free of charge to those in need. Charity can be not only financial it can be rendered as free services, especially medical ones, free legal assistance, donation  of property, clothing, and performance of any work. Charity may engage both organizations and individuals.
In Ukraine, philanthropy issues have been discussed recently at the national level. In addition, one of the most important trends is the fact that the Ukrainian business entities have been actively involved in charity events, which, according to some analysts, represent the maturity of the Ukrainian business.
Ukrainian business leaders believe that the charitable activities in Ukraine are already in place, moreover, they have developed to a certain level.  Big businesses are also increasingly raising philanthropy issues.
Ukraine has also another philanthropy day,  which is the Adoption Day, marked annually on September 30.

RINAT AKHMETOV: CHARITY IS THE ABILITY TO FEEL OTHERS’ PAIN

Rinat Akhmetov: I will always be concerned in charity 

In March 2008 Charitable Foundation "Development of Ukraine" has reported on their activities for the first time for two years of its functioning. Project outcomes were summarized, Foundation’s complete financial report was presented, as well as the prospective directions and projects of the Foundation for 2008 presented. Rinat Akhmetov,  who established the Foundation, a businessman and MP from the Party of Regions  has allocated $150 million to finance the projects and programs of "Development of Ukraine" for the next 5 years.

Annual report of the Foundation "Development of Ukraine" was an important indicator of Ukrainian charity.
Presentation of Foundation’ annual report became an unprecedented event for Ukraine. It has become an important performance indicator not only for the Foundation, but for Ukrainian charity as a whole. And the remarkability of this event for the country lies in the fact that the revival of charity tradition is coming not from abroad, but is done through national efforts.

The announcement of the Foundation official status change was no less important: corporate "System Capital Management" charity foundation became Rinat Akhmetov personal Foundation.  

In his opening remarks, Rinat Akhmetov has noted that the presentation was a very important event to him. He believes that in Ukraine there are system problems that only a systematic approach can beat. In his view, these problems need to be sounded loudly. He said: “I do like the words, that charity has a quiet voice.  So, I silently donated and helped to those who needed it. That was my principle; it was my first stage of charity. But, unfortunately, in our country there are systematic problems that cannot be resolved quietly ".

Charity is the ability to feel others' pain

 
Corporate Foundation "Development of Ukraine" was created by SCM in 2005. "This was my second stage in charity: the stage of corporate social responsibility” - said Rinat Akhmetov. “And now, today, the third charity phase comes: the stage of personal responsibility." According to him, he would always be engaged in charity activities. Explaining his role in the Foundation, Rinat Akhmetov said that it consisted of three things: "First is to define Foundation philosophy, second is to create a team that shares this philosophy and third is provide steady funding. What is my philosophy of charity? Charity is the ability to feel other people' pain. Charity is the ability to share others’ pain. Charity is a systematic control of system problems. Charity means focusing on results and transparency. "

Synergy To Support Charities

On 16th June 2010, Ukraine's 11 largest charitable foundations have joined their efforts to create a powerful lobby for philanthropy promotion in Ukraine. In the «Opera» hotel, they signed Memorandum of Philanthropists of Ukraine to support the laws "On charity activities and charity organizations" and  "On introduction of amendments in some laws of Ukraine (regarding the reduction of tax burden for charity aid recipients)".

The largest philanthropic organizations of Ukraine signed the Memorandum, including Rinat Akhmetov's Foundation for Development of Ukraine, the International Renaissance Foundation, Alexander Feldman Foundation, Ukraine 3000 Foundation, Open Ukraine Foundation, Olena Franchuk ANTIAIDS Foundation, the Klitschko Foundation, Caritas Ukraine International Foundation, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk's "People of the Future" Foundation and other.

Philanthropy in Ukraine - PR or a generous impulse?

The tradition of helping the deprived and donating to charity is new to the independent Ukraine.
Patronage is the new concept for many people and somewhat smirched with some charitable foundations that served to launder money. Besides, the government is not interested that the rich help the poor.
On all-Ukrainian Charity Day, marked on each second Sunday of December, Anastasia Daugule, Podrobnosti correspondent, has tried to find out who the Ukrainian philanthropists are. This time is just fit for the active patronage, when winter holidays begin. Starting from St. Nicholas day till the New Year and Christmas day all kinds of philanthropists invade schools and orphanages. But once the New-Year trees are out, charitable activities die down, exactly for six months before Children's Day marked in summer.
By a happy coincidence cameras are always switched on when politicians, businessmen and showmen are reeling off with little deprived Ukrainians.

Akhmetov Foundation helps to save a child's family

On June 14th 2011, Rіnat Akhmetov Foundation for the Development of Ukraine, Donetsk City Council and international NGO HealthRight have signed a cooperation agreement for the implementation of the project "Save a Child's Family" 

Main objectives of the joint project are as follows: to identify and then to provide various assistance to families with children who appeared in difficult situations; to communicate with parents in order to prevent the deprivation of parental rights, and getting children to boarding schools, not to allow the streets teaching children. 

Dry statistics shows disappointing figures: in 2010 in Donetsk 208 families with 343 children received social welfare, while social services were provided nearly to 4,000 families. "Children in difficult circumstances should not remain alone with their problems. Our common goal is to do everything possible to make the life of our children better ", said Donetsk mayor Alexander Lukyanchenko. This is not the first experience of the city to jointly address problems of children in need. The mayor said that experts are now completing the design of the dormitory for orphans under 18 years. The municipal budget has allocated 1,7 million UAH to finance the newly created rehabilitation center for children with ICP (infantile cerebral paralysis), established by parents’ initiative. 
It is obvious to everyone that in addition to solving the problems associated with orphanhood, it is effective assistance to families is essential. We can say that today the best way to care for a child is to help his family, - said  Darya Kasyanova, Leader of Programm,  Foundation Development of Ukraine.

Anatoliy Zharov for daily Donetskie Novosti
16 June 2011