The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and the National Cancer Institute Signed a Memorandum of Cooperation

Today, on 4 February, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and the National Cancer Institute (UNCI) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The event is timed to coincide with the World Cancer Day (International Breast Cancer Day). The purpose of the Memorandum is to join efforts in order to raise the level of cancer prevention and diagnostics in Ukraine.

‘The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has extensive experience in helping people diagnosed with cancer. Back in 2008, the Foundation developed and during many years operated the program CANCER CAN BE CURED. It became the first and largest program in Ukraine to assist adult cancer patients. Within its framework, the Foundation helped one million citizens of the country survive, and almost a quarter of Ukrainians now have access to modern diagnostic equipment provided by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation to the country’s healthcare institutions. The continuation of this program was the project RAKNEVYROK (“cancer is not a verdict”), which was launched in October last year. Its main objective is to make people aware, using the example of real-life stories of its heroines, that life after a diagnosis is possible, and cancer can be defeated,’ said Iryna Blazhan, Project and Program Chief Director of the Foundation.

She reminded the audience that the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and UNCI have had warm and friendly relations for a long time. Thus, back in 2012, the Foundation purchased for the Institute and set up the only mobile diagnostic facility in Ukraine, Mobile Women’s Health Consultation, mounted on board of an 18-meter trailer. Its purpose is to make a mass health examination of women and identify a threat to life at an early stage.

‘We sincerely believe that our joint efforts within the framework of the charitable project Rinat Akhmetov – Saving Lives. Mobile Women’s Health Consultation will not only continue, but will also become a starting point for new areas of cooperation, and will also help save the lives of many women,’ added Iryna Blazhan.
In turn, acting Director of the National Cancer Institute Andriy Shypko stressed the importance of this event. According to him, this is a step towards a common fight against the threat to the nation.

‘Today is a significant day for the National Cancer Institute. Together with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, we are starting a very good and important initiative – the fight for the health of our women. Cancer diseases are a challenge not only for individual people, but also for the entire state as a whole. Therefore, I want to express my gratitude to the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation for the fact that it constantly provides support, helps and does everything for the sake of people’s health. It is a pleasure to work with you,’ said Andriy Shypko.

He said that in the spring of this year, the Mobile Women’s Health Consultation will go to the regions of Ukraine to conduct preventive health checks.

The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation also provided a platform for the best oncologists and psychologists in the country to help women cope faster with the first shock of the diagnosis, accept it and start fighting the disease, as well as to remind Ukrainian women that it is very important to have regular health examinations, because cancer can affect everyone, and early diagnosis can really save life and health.

You can learn the project’s materials and leave your story here https://akhmetovfoundation.org/en/rinat-ahmetov-poryatunok-zhyttiv/project/raknevyrok.