Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe and is the largest country within Europe. Ukraine borders Russia, home of the highest mountain in Europe, Mt. Elbrus. They have an estimated population of 44 million. There are 55 functional cancer institutions with radiation therapy in the Ukraine. They have over 90 radiation machine, the majority, more than 80%, are cobalt machines. There has been a major push in the Ukraine to remove all the cobalt machines. Even with more than 90 machines, they have only 1 machine for on average 500,000 people. This is still, far, below the suggested standard of 1 radiation machine per 100,000 people- however they have made great strides.
Ukraine has many hospitals with radiation oncology. We have been working with the cancer center in Kharkov. We donated a linear accelerator which was shipped to the Ukraine and installed in the National Science Center- Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology (KIPT) in the winter of 2014. This is an up and coming cancer center with hopes to be a leader radiation oncology and cancer care.
Global Radiation Oncology Outreach Workforce (GROW)
- Project Manager: NA
- Representative of International development: Ihor Bodnar
- Project Advisor: Tom Ladd
- Director of Physics: NA
We donate a linear accelerator to the cancer center in Kharkov. We donated a Varian linear accelerator 2300 C/D. We have worked with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). They have started an initiative to remove all cobalt machines from the Ukraine. The linear accelerator we donated to the Ukraine came from a generous donation from the University of Minnesota. The donation of this machine was well received in the Ukraine and received much publicity. Here is an article published regarding that donation.
NNSA Supports Permanent Threat Reduction in Ukraine through Alternative Technology
Washington D.C. – The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) today announced the successful transfer of a linear accelerator (LINAC), used for cancer therapy treatment, from Radiating Hope to the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology (KIPT) in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
In exchange for the shipment, Ukraine has agreed to disposition two of their aging Cobalt-60 (Co-60) teletherapy units. These units contain high-risk radioactive material that could be attractive for terrorists’ use in a dirty bomb. Providing a non-isotopic alternative to the Co-60 teletherapy units supports NNSA’s comprehensive global campaign to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear and radiological material. NNSA has been at the forefront of the United States’ long history of cooperation with Ukraineand other international partners in the area of radiological security. NNSA has also worked with Ukraine to provide physical security upgrades in 71 buildings that use and store radiological material and has removed more than 2,000 sources to secure storage.
The LINAC was identified and donated to Ukraine by the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital through the nonprofit group, Radiating Hope. Radiating Hope identifies needs for radiation equipment through partnerships with organizations, such as KIPT, to facilitate donations that update and advance cancer care globally.
The delivery of the LINAC to KIPT in Ukraine will allow the healthcare professionals of the Kharkiv Regional Oncology Clinic (KROC) to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment to patients in need. According to Dr. Kathryn Dusenbery, Department Head of Radiation Oncology at the University of Minnesota, this donation was important because "over half of all cancer patients are benefited by radiation therapy during the course of their disease. In many areas of the world, aging cobalt units are the only radiation option. Cobalt units have several disadvantages over linear accelerators including delivery of a higher skin dose, longer treatment times and less sharp treatment borders. This donation of a linear accelerator vastly improves cancer care to the patients in that region. "
KIPT explained that “the newly delivered Varian 2300 will allow substantial improvement of patient management, allow enhanced safety of radiation treatment due to shorter irradiation times compared to depleted teletherapy Co-60 machines, and permanently resolve security issues associated with Co-60 radiation sources. This project synergizes improved medical care with Ukrainian national security interests by replacing teletherapy units with alternative LINAC technology. One more new or used LINAC will allow the Kharkiv region to dispose of all Co-60 based units.”
“This operation is part of NNSA’s broad strategy to enhance our nation’s security by keeping dangerous nuclear and radiological material safe and secure,” said NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation David Huizenga. “This mission demonstrates how NNSA utilizes its unique expertise and technical resources to partner with government and non-governmental organizations to make our cities safer here and around the world.” NNSA plans to build upon this successful cooperation to replicate this model in other countries around the world.
NNSA, Argonne National Laboratory, the Department of State, and the nonprofit organization, Radiating Hope, jointly supported this mission. This initiative is part of a broader cooperative effort to help combat nuclear and radiological terrorism around the world. Converting or replacing isotopic devices with non-isotopic alternative technology achieves permanent threat reduction by decreasing the availability of high risk radioactive material.
For more information on NNSA's work to reduce and protect high-priority nuclear and radiological material click here.
Follow NNSA News on our Blog and on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube and Flickr.
Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. Visit www.nnsa.energy.gov for more information.
In exchange for the shipment, Ukraine has agreed to disposition two of their aging Cobalt-60 (Co-60) teletherapy units. These units contain high-risk radioactive material that could be attractive for terrorists’ use in a dirty bomb. Providing a non-isotopic alternative to the Co-60 teletherapy units supports NNSA’s comprehensive global campaign to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear and radiological material. NNSA has been at the forefront of the United States’ long history of cooperation with Ukraineand other international partners in the area of radiological security. NNSA has also worked with Ukraine to provide physical security upgrades in 71 buildings that use and store radiological material and has removed more than 2,000 sources to secure storage.
The LINAC was identified and donated to Ukraine by the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital through the nonprofit group, Radiating Hope. Radiating Hope identifies needs for radiation equipment through partnerships with organizations, such as KIPT, to facilitate donations that update and advance cancer care globally.
The delivery of the LINAC to KIPT in Ukraine will allow the healthcare professionals of the Kharkiv Regional Oncology Clinic (KROC) to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment to patients in need. According to Dr. Kathryn Dusenbery, Department Head of Radiation Oncology at the University of Minnesota, this donation was important because "over half of all cancer patients are benefited by radiation therapy during the course of their disease. In many areas of the world, aging cobalt units are the only radiation option. Cobalt units have several disadvantages over linear accelerators including delivery of a higher skin dose, longer treatment times and less sharp treatment borders. This donation of a linear accelerator vastly improves cancer care to the patients in that region. "
KIPT explained that “the newly delivered Varian 2300 will allow substantial improvement of patient management, allow enhanced safety of radiation treatment due to shorter irradiation times compared to depleted teletherapy Co-60 machines, and permanently resolve security issues associated with Co-60 radiation sources. This project synergizes improved medical care with Ukrainian national security interests by replacing teletherapy units with alternative LINAC technology. One more new or used LINAC will allow the Kharkiv region to dispose of all Co-60 based units.”
“This operation is part of NNSA’s broad strategy to enhance our nation’s security by keeping dangerous nuclear and radiological material safe and secure,” said NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation David Huizenga. “This mission demonstrates how NNSA utilizes its unique expertise and technical resources to partner with government and non-governmental organizations to make our cities safer here and around the world.” NNSA plans to build upon this successful cooperation to replicate this model in other countries around the world.
NNSA, Argonne National Laboratory, the Department of State, and the nonprofit organization, Radiating Hope, jointly supported this mission. This initiative is part of a broader cooperative effort to help combat nuclear and radiological terrorism around the world. Converting or replacing isotopic devices with non-isotopic alternative technology achieves permanent threat reduction by decreasing the availability of high risk radioactive material.
For more information on NNSA's work to reduce and protect high-priority nuclear and radiological material click here.
Follow NNSA News on our Blog and on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube and Flickr.
Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. Visit www.nnsa.energy.gov for more information.
Ukraine occupies 8th place in Europe by the number of tourists visiting, according to the World Tourism Organisation rankings,[265] due to its numerous tourist attractions: mountain ranges suitable for skiing, hiking and fishing: the Black Sea coastline as a popular summer destination; nature reserves of different ecosytems; churches, castle ruins and other architectural and park landmarks; various outdoor activity points. Kiev, Lviv, Odessa, Kamyanets-Podilskyi and Yalta are Ukraine's principal tourist centers each offering many historical landmarks as well as formidable hospitality infrastructure.
The Seven Wonders of Ukraine and Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine are the selection of the most important landmarks of Ukraine, chosen by the general public through an internet-based vote.
The Seven Wonders of Ukraine and Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine are the selection of the most important landmarks of Ukraine, chosen by the general public through an internet-based vote.
- Linear Accelerator and any imaging machine, CT scanners, MRI, PET/CT
Pictures coming soon.