I am the author of the Goodacity blog, a journalist, and a translator. For 16 years, I have worked in professional journalism, contributing to regional and national publications, both in print and online media. I have written reports, conducted interviews, reviews, articles on cultural, social, and charitable topics, as well as materials in the style of "solution journalism" and communication materials.
My focus is on creating interesting and exclusive content. Journalism, to me, is primarily about human stories, to which I always find the key, empathize with the people I write about, and love all my heroes. Journalism, to me, means telling people about what truly matters to them, informing and inspiring them. It is not just a job, but a way of life, just like for all those who dream, create, and are inspired by it.
So, if you are looking for stories that inspire and motivate, that instill faith and help find meaning while believing in goodness, read my stories on the Goodacity website.
I am a manager of cultural affairs and a project manager with over 14 years of experience at United Thinkers. I have participated in the organization of numerous successful social and charitable projects and have implemented informational campaigns and communication cases.
As a marketing manager, I have been involved in organizing marketing and sociological research, working with media and partners, developing advertising and marketing strategies, as well as planning and implementing advertising campaigns.
I believe in the power of goodness and I am happy that as part of the Goodacity project, I can contribute to its expansion. I believe in the power of words and in the fact that communication can help make the world a better place. I know how, where and when to speak in order to be heard. And when you are heard, you can change the world!
Blood donation is a form of volunteering, too!
“The daunting words ‘Kharkiv region! Dnipro! There’s a significant need for blood donors of all groups!’.
A small minivan slowly overcomes a thirty-five-kilometer stretch of rugged terrain, eventually reaching the border with the Kharkiv region, Ukraine, with another 70 km to go to our destination.
Thankfully, we managed to leave the areas under attack, where our community is bombarded daily by the enemy. Each of us, fully aware of the risks, did not hesitate to make our choice and, following the call of our hearts, embarked on this long journey to join a grand mission and become a blood donor…”.
Last year, we met the incredible volunteer, Kateryna, thanks to the “warm_front” project – she, along with like-minded women, knitted and sent warm clothing to Ukrainian defenders at the front. Her native village in the Sumy region, Ukraine, is just three kilometers from the Russian border… “We’re under fire all the time,” the woman says. “But we live on and try to help our defenders in any way we can… Knitting is not the only thing – we also have projects for sewing blankets, pillows, covers, special mats for sitting, drying tea sets, and a very special project for me – blood donation.”
We Are of the Same Blood!
“The donor movement in our border village began in 2018 after my students’ victory in the regional literary contest ‘The Red Line of Rescue’,” the woman shares. “Since then, we have written and produced numerous poetic works and videos on the topic of donation, and in 2020, we won second place at the national level in the Small Academy of Sciences of Ukraine’s research competition. Over thirty people from our village have become donors, some of them regularly… And as much as possible, we conduct such campaigns together, highlight them on social media to draw as much attention as possible to this incredibly important matter!
“You are neither a king nor a god, you are not a wise man or a magician, yet your strength lies in boundless love! Someone’s fate is in your caring hands, and your act is noble because you are a blood donor!”.
These words from our regional project ‘The Red Line of Rescue,’ written by my former pupil Yelyzaveta, marked the beginning of our media campaign to foster a culture of donation. Today, the girl serves in the police and actively continues her donor journey, which we started together at the Sumy Regional Blood Service Center.
Personally, I have made 25 charitable blood donations, and all my family are donors. I’m delighted that I celebrated my small milestone – 25 donations – among wonderful people, my fellow villagers, colleagues, volunteers, friends! There were also moments when my former students celebrated their 18th birthday in the donor chair, together with their parents and friends. I recall an incredibly touching occasion when one of the women who came to donate was able to meet her son, a soldier she hadn’t seen for a very long time, that day.
Let me tell you about one of our donor trips – to convey the incredible atmosphere when you share your blood with others…
This time there were 12 of us – a sacred number, so everything had to go well. Twelve people of different ages, statuses, and wealth, with different views and professions, united by a great sense of humanity and compassion, went with one thought, to ensure nothing hindered a successful donation. The day before, Kharkiv, Ukraine, had been subjected to another missile attack, nobody knew what the day would bring, but everyone understood the extraordinary importance of this deed.
It might seem, a big city, a metropolis, would there be such a need for donor blood, why would people overcome such distances amidst many problems and risks?! But since the full-scale war began, hundreds of donors joined the ranks of defenders, some were evacuated, others were let down by their health… So, don’t think that someone else will do the blood donation for you…
Especially since the need for donor blood and its components has increased hundreds of times. No matter the level of modern medicine, there is unfortunately no substitute for human blood. Thousands of our wounded soldiers, civilians, those pulled from under the rubble, the seriously ill, and mothers in labor – every minute, medicines from donor blood components save someone’s life!
… With God’s blessing, we all passed the medical testing and successfully made our donations. Among us were both regular donors and beginners, and everyone left the donation room in a wonderful, uplifted mood, unanimously deciding to become a single donor team for conducting regular charitable campaigns! Together, we made the decision in a war zone, together we traveled over 100 km each way, together we donated a part of our love to those in need, together we became part of a large donor family!”.
We Are a Donor Team!
“The only issue in our donor team is transportation funding,” notes Ms. Kateryna.
“The nearest donor centers are a hundred kilometers away from us (Kharkiv, Sumy). Currently, there’s no direct transportation that wouldn’t require spending two nights in the cities, only one bus per day, and not everyone can afford the ticket prices. The only option left is to hire transportation.
We’re looking for local sponsors, but it’s very challenging at the moment because they also support our defenders. And we ourselves can’t afford it, because, what kind of jobs and salaries do we have in the village?!
However, recognizing the critical importance of the donor cause and wanting to help save the lives of our citizens, Ukrainians, as much as possible, we continue to seek solutions to these problems – because we want to help our Armed Forces, the wounded, or those suffering from the war, saved by medicines made from blood components! Therefore, thanks to all the caring philanthropists who have helped us with the trip’s funding, especially Goodacity!
It’s such an incredible feeling – to give blood following the call of your heart! What motivates me? I’ve never asked myself that question. Isn’t it normal to help people?
Our slogan: “For today and the future – become a donor! SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE!”
I don’t know who will receive my blood, but I understand that I’ve done something good and this blood might save someone’s son or father. When you realize how important this is, there can be no doubt. Our country already has an emotional unity, and donating blood is, in a sense, a physical unity – “We are of the same blood.” It’s inspiring, and it makes you want to continue! Knowing that your blood is saving lives is a significant motivation to become a donor again and again”.
