Page 63 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2022

CLASSNOTES

Supporting Ukraine during the war

Nina Babchuk, (BVetMed 2018)

Nina Babchuk is an RVC graduate for the people on the frontline of this war With momentum rapidly building and
and second generation Ukrainian. – items I found that I was familiar with. donations flooding in, I was kindly put in
Since graduating she has worked in Tranexamic acid, haemostatic sponges, contact with another brilliant like-minded
independent first opinion veterinary broad spectrum antibiotics, gauzes vet, Till Hoermann, who during this
clinics before undertaking a rotating and tourniquets. These were items I time had also organised his own similar
internship at Willows referral hospital. knew were easily obtainable and as a mission. Till had organised his own
Since then, she has developed genuine vet also with the RSPCA, my values of donations and taken them himself to the
enthusiasm for being a charity vet at prevention of cruelty to animals was then Polish-Ukrainian border for use on the
the RSPCA whilst fueling her passion not restricted to the domestic veterinary Ukrainian frontline. Together, with the use
for ophthalmology by undertaking animals we usually treat. of a grain store he acquired, we acted as
the BSAVA certificate in veterinary I knew I was not the only one who a central depot for the vet school hubs
ophthalmology. to deliver to. Another massive thanks
wanted to feel like we were doing
Nina explains the work she is doing to something positive to help, and must be given to those lovely veterinary
professions who gave up their time to
support Ukrainians. understanding the veterinary profession help deliver donations to us.
was a profession filled with empathetic,
As a second generation Ukrainian, the
feeling on that dreary February day caring individuals – the next step was I have extraordinary pride in confirming
will not be soon forgotten. A mixture rallying us all to show that we could do that we have sent five articulated lorries,
of heartbreak and worry, and the something! Hence the Facebook group, and multiple vans full of both veterinary
feeling of history repeating itself, as British Veterinary Professionals for and human transferrable supplies to the
my grandparents were forced to leave Ukraine, was formed. Ukrainian frontline. Unfortunately, the
Ukraine in the last World War. The Realising that vets all around the UK war is not yet over, and I implore you not
overwhelming emotion, however, was the were ready and willing to donate and to forget about Ukraine and continue
drive to do something to help. It seems help where they could led to the first helping where you can. British Veterinary
the world is becoming aware of this logistical problem of where to house Professions for Ukraine are continuing to
Ukrainian mentality – we’re not ones to these donations prior to delivery to accept monetary donations to purchase
just lay down and succumb but driven to Ukraine. With veterinary schools being and deliver the direct requirements for
stand up for what is good and right. scattered throughout the country, the those animals suffering in a war zone.
resolution presented itself and most Find out more at:
During this time, I was also a home schools quickly agreed to be drop off www.gofundme.com/f/British-
euthanasia vet and therefore understood points for all these donations – huge Veterinary-Professionals-for-Ukraine
the “ins and outs” of purchasing thanks to my alma mater, RVC, for their
veterinary supplies. A post was shared immediate support and being the first vet
on social media of the items in dire need
school on board!

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