A Lifeline in Wartime

Polish Knights donate a much-needed ambulance to a Ukraine hospital.

By Karolina Świder

March 5, 2025

A group of six individuals in formal attire stand in front of an ambulance, showcasing unity and community support. Notably, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori is amongst the men pictured. — Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore stands in front of an ambulance donated by Knights in Kraków, Poland, to Chornomorsk Hospital in Ukraine after blessing the vehicle in Lviv on Oct. 21, 2024. Joining him are, from left, Immediate Past State Deputy Youriy Maletskiy of Ukraine; Bishop Mykhaylo Bubniy, exarch of Odesa, Ukraine; Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv; State Deputy Mykola Mostovyak of Ukraine; and representatives from Chornomorsk Hospital. (Photo by Andrii Gorb)

More than 1,500 attacks on hospitals, clinics and emergency medical transports in Ukraine have been documented during the past three years of war with Russia. Nearly 1 in every 10 Ukrainian hospitals has suffered damage, and medical evacuations have become increasingly difficult as health care facilities near the front lines struggle to operate under the threat of destruction.

Knights of Columbus councils in Poland and Ukraine have responded to this challenge by providing crucial aid to ensure hospitals receive the lifesaving equipment they desperately need.

In the war-ravaged city of Chornomorsk, access to emergency medical care is more needed than ever. The strategically located port city in southern Ukraine is a key transit hub and has faced immense challenges since the war began, experiencing frequent missile strikes and drone attacks that place civilians and critical infrastructure at constant risk.

Through the generosity of K of C councils in Kraków, Poland, and support from the Ukraine Solidarity Fund, Chornomorsk Hospital received a new ambulance this past fall. Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori blessed the ambulance in Lviv on Oct. 21 during his second visit to Ukraine.

In Lviv, the supreme chaplain met with local K of C leaders including State Deputy Mykola Mostovyak of Ukraine; past State Deputy Youriy Maletskiy of Ukraine; Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv; and Bishop Mykhaylo Bubniy, exarch of Odesa and state chaplain of the country’s Ukrainian Greek Catholic Knights.

“This ambulance is more than just a vehicle — it is a symbol of hope and compassion, a testament to the unwavering support we offer to those who are suffering,” Archbishop Lori said.

The Chornomorsk hospital, which continues to operate despite logistical challenges and shortages of medical supplies, remains one of Ukraine’s most vulnerable health institutions, and ambulances have been targets of destruction. According to the World Health Organization, more than 600 emergency vehicles have been damaged or destroyed nationwide, leaving patients in dire need of transportation for urgent care.

“In emergency situations, when every second counts, transportation difficulties can cost lives,” explained Viktor Stepanovych Hoidyk, medical director of Chornomorsk Hospital. “Our hospital is essential to the community, but without proper emergency vehicles, getting patients to the care they need is nearly impossible.”

Chornomorsk’s hospital must be prepared to serve both its civilian population and military personnel, many of whom require urgent medical evacuations to larger facilities, such as those in Odesa. However, Ukraine’s emergency medical services only provide immediate stabilization at the scene, not long-distance patient transportation. This creates a gap in care — one that the newly donated ambulance now helps bridge.

“We transport seriously ill patients, for example, to the infectious diseases department in Kharkiv, or even to Odesa for specialized treatment,” explained Maryna Rodenka, head of the Emergency Medical Assistance Department at Chornomorsk Hospital.

Beyond urgent care, the ambulance is essential for transporting individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities.

“There are people who cannot walk due to their health conditions. This ambulance helps transport them to our hospital, ensuring they receive the care they need,” explained Hoidyk.

“Purchasing such an expensive vehicle was beyond our hospital’s capabilities,” Hoidyk added. “All our funds are allocated to medicine, equipment and improving health care services. This donation was an unexpected but deeply appreciated gift.”

With modern equipment, and better patient accommodations, the ambulance donated by the Knights in Kraków has filled a critical void in Chornomorsk’s health care system. It is not merely a means of transportation — it is a lifeline for those in need.

“We had a pregnant woman with severe bleeding due to premature placental separation,” recalled Rodenka. “Thanks to the ambulance’s speed and medical equipment, we were able to transport lifesaving blood supplies from Odesa and save both the mother and child.”

Nadiia Petrivna, an 80-year-old resident of Chornomorsk, also faced a desperate situation when her bedridden daughter, Diana, needed urgent surgery. With no means of transporting her safely, she turned to the hospital for help.

“If not for this emergency service … I don’t know what I would have done. I prayed to God,” she recalled. “The hospital arranged for the ambulance, and people helped carry her in. Thanks to this transport, she could receive the treatment she needed.”

An ambulance donated by the Knights of Columbus is parked outside Chornomorsk Hospital in Ukraine on Feb. 4. (Photo by Victor Solodukha) — An ambulance donated by the Knights of Columbus is parked outside Chornomorsk Hospital in Ukraine on Feb. 4. *(Photo by Victor Solodukha)*

Ihor Divnych, a district deputy and member of St. Andrew the First Called Apostle Council 17258 in Odesa, explained the deep sense of responsibility the Knights feel in providing aid during wartime.

“When you see people who have lost everything — their homes, their families — and you have the chance to help, you just do it,” he said. “You see their gratitude, and you know that this is what you are meant to do. And we are not alone in this effort. Our brother Knights abroad, in Poland, the United States and other countries, continue to send support, and we pass it on to those who need it most.”

Beyond medical aid, the Knights have been actively involved in distributing food, winter clothing and essential supplies to displaced families and communities in the Odesa region.

“We have provided warm jackets for children, food kits for refugees, and household supplies for those who have lost everything,” said Divnych. “And now, thanks to the generosity of our brothers, we were able to provide an ambulance — an act of mercy that can save lives.”

For the Knights, this initiative is not just about material aid; it is deeply rooted in the mission of the Order’s founder, Blessed Michael McGivney. Father Yuriy Stronianskyi, a priest serving at the Parish of the Ascension of the Lord in Odesa, sees the donation as an embodiment of faith in action.

“The Knights of Columbus stand out in the world because they live their mission of brotherhood,” he said. “They extend a helping hand, one brother to another, regardless of borders. This is especially crucial now, during the war, when Ukrainians need both material and spiritual support.”

The ambulance represents more than just transportation — it is a symbol of hope and solidarity. It is part of a broader effort to uplift those suffering from the consequences of war, continued Father Yuriy.

“The war has not ended, and we do not know what tomorrow will bring,” he added. “But what we do know is that the support of the Knights, both in Ukraine and abroad, reassures us that we are not alone.”

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KAROLINA ŚWIDER writes from Kraków, Poland.