By JOHN LESLIE
The Ukraine Solidarity Network, a national network of organizations and individual activists, has embarked on our most ambitious project yet, a fundraiser to raise $38,000 for the Ukrainian nurses union. The union, Be Like We Are! (Будь як ми!), is trying to raise the funds for the purchase of two medical diagnostic machines in partnership with the Ukrainian-American nonprofit, Kryla.
A previous USN campaign raised more than $6000 for 12 portable generators for members of the Free Trade Union of Railway Workers of Ukraine, Kyiv region, and the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine in Kryvyi Rih. The USN gives unequivocal and unconditional support to Ukraine’s right to self-determination in the face of Russia’s brutal attempt to dismember Ukraine. We do this without giving political support to the capitalist Zelensky government. USN activists have also raised funds for Workers Aid convoys that have delivered aid to Ukrainian workers organizations.
The USN began this campaign at the Socialism 2025 Conference, handing out literature promoting the fundraiser. After returning from the conference, some Philadelphia-based USN supporters have begun outreach among local organizations. The plan is to promote the campaign as broadly as possible with local Ukrainian organizations, student groups, and the unions. On the first outing, they distributed literature to several Ukrainian organizations in the city, including the main Ukrainian Catholic Church.
More recently, activists went to several Ukrainian groups in the Philadelphia suburbs, where they handed out the flyer and had some friendly conversations. One organization, Ukrainian-American Relief, assured them that they would post the fundraiser in their online newsletter. More recently, they started doing outreach with local labor unions in the Philadelphia region.
What you can do:
- If possible, make a personal donation, but the main task is reaching out to community and labor organizations and the broad population with this campaign.
- Print out copies of the trifold brochure. The file is on the USN website along with other resources. Share the GoFundMe on social media.
- Look up local Ukrainian groups in your area and reach out. There are resources on the USN website. Ukrainian communities appreciate the fact that non-Ukrainians want to help. These organizations may not be in a position to help, but this outreach is still meaningful. These organizations may be wary of the left, given the legacy of Stalinism in postwar Ukraine. All of these groups are actively engaged in raising funds for projects in Ukraine.
- Look up local unions. Start with your own union, if you belong to one. Ask them to donate and offer to have someone from the USN come speak to the E-board. Healthcare unions are another natural place to ask for help. Labor for Palestine groups, like Healthcare Workers For Palestine, are also possible allies. Talk to co-workers and pass the hat. If people are interested, take a solidarity picture.
- Look for Ukrainian student organizations on your campus and ask them to take up this campaign. Nursing and medical schools attached to your university are good places to find allies.
This campaign is a vitally important opportunity to build real worker-to-worker solidarity with the Ukrainian working class. In this time of war, while Russian imperialism is ruthlessly bombing civilians, our solidarity takes on critical importance. We have already raised more than 10% of our goal, but much more is necessary.
Resources:
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-krylas-lifechanging-mission
Donate to Support Ukrainian Nurses! on the USN site: https://www.ukrainesolidaritynetwork.us/donate-to-support-ukrainian-nurses/ This includes downloadable literature and social media cards.
