‘WITH OUR SOLDIERS’ CAMPAIGN CONTINUES TO ASSIST ARTSAKH VETERANS
Wednesday, April 10th, 2013
An Artsakh war veteran receives an MRI
GLENDALE-The Armenian Youth Federation is continuing its efforts to
bring medical assistance to the veterans of the Artsakh Liberation
Struggle. Since launching the “With Our Soldiers” campaign last year,
the AYF has provided medical assistance to over 40 freedom fighters
in the Homeland and is aiming to aid an even larger amount of heroes
in the months ahead.
>From its inception, the campaign has developed a series of procedures
in order to effectively verify the identity of the assistance-seeking
veterans, as well as to ensure each patient receives proper care.
Consequently, all patients have been required to submit their
official military documentation, proving their service during the
Artsakh Liberation struggle, and their complete medical history to the
hospital. These documents are first reviewed by the “With Our Soldiers”
task force in the United States, and later by the hospital’s doctors
in Armenia. Upon approval, initial checkups and physicals are conducted
to help ensure the accurate diagnosis of patients.
Thereafter, the task force reviews the recommendations from the
Yerevan Medical Center, meticulously approves each patient’s prescribed
treatment and distributes funds to the hospital appropriately.
“The doctors at the Yerevan Medical Center have been instrumental in
providing assistance to the veterans on the ground,” said WOS task
force member, Caspar Jivalagian. “Without the help of Dr. Taron Tonoyan
and Dr. Hakob Balayan, this campaign would not have been possible. We
express great gratitude to them and our operations Coordinator in
Armenia, Unger Kevork Parseghian, for their invaluable support and
dedication to our nation’s veterans.”
In the spirit of accountability, the AYF has shared with the
community numerous video updates to further illustrate the stories
and treatments of individual veterans being assisted by the ‘With Our
Soldiers’ campaign. These moving reports, prepared by Yerkir Media,
about the post-war conditions and treatments of our freedom fighters
have truly inspired Armenians in the diaspora and Armenia alike. Most
importantly, they have been successful at their aim of revealing the
stories of our country’s heroes, who, at times, have been neglected
by government and abandoned by society.
The medical treatments provided by the campaign have varied in
complexity, cost, and urgency. Yet, all of them have played a vital
role in helping reconstruct the lives of our freedom fighters. Earlier
this year, Rafik Vardanyan, a veteran who participated in the Battle
of Shushi, received a life-saving brain surgery, which he would have
otherwise not been able to afford with the small pension he received
from the government. In addition, the funding from the With Our
Soldiers Campaign allowed Hrachik Melkonyan and Garnik Madinyan, two
azadamardiks struggling to find employment, to receive eye surgeries
that helped restore their longtime damaged visions.
“What we are doing for our veterans through this campaign is not merely
assistance or an act of charity,’ said David Arakelyan, Chairperson
of the WOS task force. “We are simply repaying our debts to these
heroes for the sacrifices they made in order to give us a free and
independent Artsakh.”
Medical support is not limited to freedom fighters alone; in some
cases, the campaign has helped the family members of veterans as well.
Alvina Azaryan, the wife of freedom fighter Edik Azarian, from the
Kotayk province, had a serious heart condition requiring a surgery
the Veteran’s family could not afford. The With Our Soldiers Campaign
funded surgery and after a difficult, but successful procedure,
the life of Edik’s 55-year old wife was no longer in danger.
Since its launch in 2012, the ‘With Our Soldiers’ campaign has received
strong support from members of the Armenian community. To date, over
$60,000 has been raised through individual donations and the efforts
of the AYF Western Region Chapters. The Armenian Youth Federation
is extremely grateful to all of its friends and supporters for their
commitment to the wellbeing of our veterans and for their continued
trust in AYF and its “With Our Soldiers” campaign.
As the work to provide essential medical assistance to our veterans
continues, the “With Our Soldiers” task force will release periodic
reports about the progress of the campaign and share the new stories
of veterans who receive the campaign’s help. Community members are
encouraged to visit the website, as well
as follow the AYF and WOS Facebook pages for periodic updates. All
questions regarding the campaign can be directed to the AYF Western
Region Office.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and
most influential Armenian-American youth organization in the United
States working to advance the social, political, educational, and
cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.
http://asbarez.com/109314/%E2%80%98with-our-soldiers%E2%80%99-campaign-continues-to-assist-artsakh-veterans/
www.withoursoldiers.com