When Ukraine was invaded again in 2022, DrumsForCures started focusing its rhythmic efforts on humanitarian aid in support of Ukrainians’ needs. Many of us have watched this situation with compassion and interest in helping reduce the suffering of the people.
The Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv was founded as the premier pediatric oncology center in Eastern Europe and is the largest operating public health facility in the country. They are now one of the only major hospitals accommodating pediatric cancer cases, and availing their services to war victims; particularly orphaned and injured children.
For the past year we have been working to coordinate facilitated interactive rhythm events and our team launched the ‘Rhythm Aid Projects’ Ukraine program in May 2023. We are currently facilitating multiple sessions weekly with children, young adults, families and staff.
The DRUMSTRONG rhythm therapy sessions put long absent smiles back on their faces.
The hospital (and families) recognize the immediate benefits. We will add additional programs to benefit even more.
Our facilitators are very sensitive to louder, disruptive sounds given patients’ exposure and experiences with war factors and help them ease issues. We are also programming sessions with the guidance of the Director of Psychology specifically for staff ‘burnout’, loss/grief, and the PTSD impacted.
Our facilitators are making personal time to avail themselves for the hospital/patient schedules; sacrificing their already war-impacted, limited income for their community and country.
We are seeking participation in the ongoing expenses as to enable keeping the rhythm in motion there.
DrumsForCures is helping to sponsor and subsidize the projects but this is not sustainable. The Remo Drum Company donated beautiful, sanitizable equipment. Good people all around like Caryl & Mickey Hart and the Hart Center for Deep Rhythm, Jon Fishman and Phish’s WaterWheel Foundation, Don Lombardi with DW Drums know the value and are pitching in. Obviously, when you embrace the efforts with funding it will be the beautiful catalyst that perpetuates continuity.
Over the past eighteen years DrumsforCures has facilitated rhythm aid in 80+ cities in 29 countries through DRUMSTRONG charity events benefiting local needs. This is a “First” in that the immediate needs are so profound and at emergency levels. Many hospital staff have simply “moved in” to be available. They relocate children to the basement when air-strikes threaten. Stress and PTSD is off the charts…
We understand the value of this service and the great potential for healing in this environment. The DRUMSTRONG ‘Rhythm Aid Projects’ are helping to reduce pain, fear, depression, trauma, and build community in the way only rhythmic bonding can.
Donations of support can be made through our 501(c)(3) #20-8297035 and all funds will directly and securely benefit the Rhythm Aid Projects at Ohmatdyt.
Please DONATE HERE
These are the munificent Facilitators in Kyiv who are helping to bridge the gap to health :: Maxim Yunga, Igor Fund, Vitaliy Petrenko and photographer Anastasia Demidova
Це милосердні Фасилітатори в Києві, які допомагають подолати прірву до здоров’я: Максим Юнга, Ігоря Фонд, Віталій Петренко та фотограф Анастасія Демидова
Along with the Director of Psychology, Press Director, administrators, several doctors, nurses and staff joining in and assisting. All are sensitive to the needs, fears and experiences of their populations in the sessions.
These are some of the kind souls who have embraced DrumsForCures’ ‘Rhythm Aid Projects’ and are helping to facilitate funds for our facilitators to keep the rhythm in motion!
Caryl and Mickey Hart :: Hart Center For Deep Rhythm
Photos by Jay Blakesburg
Grammy award-winning percussionist, Grateful Dead, Global Drum Project, Planet Drum, MHB
Author, “Drumming at the Edge of Magic”, “Planet Drum”, “Spirit Into Sound”
Jon Fishman :: The WaterWheel Foundation :: Phish
Christine Stevens, MSW, MA, MT-BC, Chief Advisor :: Rhythm Aid Projects
UpBeat Drum Circles, Author of Music Medicine, The Healing Drum Kit and The Art and Heart of Drum Circles. Founder of UpBeat Drum Circles.
Phish’s WaterWheel Foundation
Mike DeMenno :: REMO Drum Co.
Robert Shen :: REMO Drum Co.
Bob Yerby :: REMO Drum Co.
Brian LeVan :: REMO Drum Co.
Maksym Deomin :: acclaimed Ukrainian drummer, educator & author
Arthur Hull :: Village Music Circles
Mark Schulman :: Rockstar Attitude
Will Lee :: https://www.willlee.com/
Elliott Randall :: https://elliott-randall.com/
Rick Fitts :: Fitts Production Associates
And our benevolent Sponsors ::
Hart Center For Deep Rhythm :: Community Foundation for Sonoma County
Christine Stevens :: UpBeat Drum Circles + Global Rhythm Sangha
“Christine guides groups to the secret world of the rhythmic arts.” – Mickey Hart
Musical Ambassadors of Peace promoteing peace world-wide through the power of music. We work to heal the emotional wounds of war and displacement by helping people build trust, cultivate resilience and return to joy.
PlayMore Design + EnSoul Music
Lori and Eric Sklut Family
S. Swimmer Family
Ambassador Warren Tichenor
Don Lombardi :: DW Drums
Photo Credits ::
Anastasia Demidova
Krystyna Sahirova
Anastasia Magerramova
Please DONATE HERE
