Alcoa Foundation Supports Amputees and Healthcare Resiliency in Ukraine

An Alcoa Foundation grant of $330,000 to Aspen Medical Foundation is helping war victims and medical staff in Ukraine, with 55 patients helped and more than 250 medical professionals trained in 2024. Since 2022, the number of Ukrainians in need of amputation surged to over 35,000.

The grant was made in 2023 to provide prosthetics for amputees and training for rehabilitation staff at the First Medical Union (FMU) in Ukraine. The project focused on three elements to address the surge in amputations and significant need for specialized training in-country: prosthetics; training; and developing partnerships.

With funds from Alcoa Foundation, 55 patients received high-quality prosthetic limbs or components at the Unbroken Rehabilitation Center in 2024. The Unbroken Project, implemented by FMU, has assisted patients with rehabilitation, supplied prosthetics, and helped Ukrainian war victims back to a more normal life. 

Andry Skripchak was one of the many Ukrainian people affected by the war, in severe need of an amputation and rehabilitation. With the help of Unbroken, Skripchak was able to navigate his road to recovery amid life-changing circumstances.

“I was able to restore my health and return to an active life. As a result, I have been able to participate more in community events and support others going through similar challenges,” said Skripchak.

Through the comprehensive care provided by Unbroken, patients such as Skripchak are offered an individual recovery plan to assure effective results. They receive care through physical exercises, pain management techniques and self-control methods three times a week.  Unbroken also provides mental health support to help patients and their families return to their normal lives.

“Thanks to their efforts, my son is now confidently walking, running, and has returned to his normal life. Today, many people in Ukraine require assistance with prosthetics. It is incredibly heartening to know that there are partners and centers like Unbroken that provide this crucial support,” said Lyudmila Vavrychyn, the mother of Oleksandr Vavrychyn, a16-year-old Unbroken Patient.

In addition to prosthetics, Alcoa Foundation’s funding enabled more than 250 healthcare professionals in Lviv to receive specialized training.  In May 2024, Ukraine hosted a pain relief and rehabilitation symposium chaired by experts in pain management, such as Dr. Steven P. Cohen from John Hopkins University. The Symposium highlighted the importance of comprehensive pain management for war-affected individuals, such as the integration of non-opioid treatment and psychological support.

“This training from Aspen Medical Foundation helped us learn new knowledge, skills and gain good experience and practice that will help us in the future,” said Oleksandr Solodukha, Prosthetist from Unbroken.

The Unbroken executive team spent two weeks training in the United States. Their tour included visits and collaborative opportunities with military research hospitals and institutions such as Walter Reed Medical Center and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

The visit resulted in two new research projects, including a major amputee pain study, donations – including a fractional laser system from Mass General and Harvard – and other partnerships with leading experts and organizations to improve outcomes for patients.

The project with Aspen Medical and Unbroken National Rehabilitation Center has made a lasting impact on the recovery of those affected by the conflict. Due to its durability and lightweight, aluminum plays a vital role in prosthetics and rehabilitation through the use in connective components and joints of prosthetic devices to reduce the strain on the residual limb and ensures users can ensure everyday activities without sacrificing comfort. Aluminum plays an equally important role in rehabilitation equipment, such as walkers, canes, and crutches to aid in mobility and balance as individuals adjust to their new limbs.

“I’d like to thank Aspen Medical Foundation and all those who collaborated with Unbroken on this impactful project,” said Caroline Rossignol, President of Alcoa Foundation. “It is a powerful example of community resilience amplified by partnerships and of the use of aluminum in critical industries like healthcare.”

Read more about Alcoa Foundation’s partnership with Aspen Medical Foundation and the Unbroken Project.