CCI’s life-saving cardiac mission was a huge success!

World-renowned cardiac surgeon, Dr Novick, and his team of international doctors flew to Ukraine to carry out urgently needed operations on dozens of babies and young children from the Chernobyl region who are suffering from genetic heart defects.

Speaking about the return of these life-saving surgeries, CCI CEO, Adi Roche, said: “The team of Irish funded paediatric cardiac surgeons worked around the clock to save the lives of dozens of babies and young children who have inherited the deadly legacy of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. It is inspiring, that despite the COVID-19 Pandemic, these doctors have travelled to Ukraine to deliver these life-saving surgeries. Without the generosity of the Irish people and the bravery of these doctors, these babies and young children would die”.

Thirty-five years after the accident at Chernobyl, CCI continue to lead the international humanitarian response to the fallout of the worst nuclear accident of all time. The heart is one of the organs most vulnerable to the effects of radiation, and every year, thousands of children in the Ukraine and Belarus are born with life-threatening genetic heart diseases and defects. One of these defects is the deadly condition known as “Chernobyl Heart.”

Through CCI’s Cardiac Programme, CCI has saved the lives of over 4,000 children who suffer from a marked increase in cardiac birth defects since the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. Without CCI’s intervention, many of the children would die within 3 to 5 years.

Renowned US Cardiac Alliance Surgeon, Dr William Novick, head of the international team of doctors that have travelled to Ukraine, said: ‘Ireland is leading the world in this work here in Ukraine. It is fantastic that a little island has stood by the people of Ukraine over all these years. These kids would be dead only for Ireland.’

Adi Roche added: “No other nation in the world has stood by and championed those whose lives have been destroyed by Chernobyl as much as Ireland has and this recent Cardiac mission is another reflection of Irish compassion. These children and babies would die without Irish intervention, and these vital surgeries are miracles that are happening just in time for Christmas.”