BBF has awarded a grant to West Penn Allegheny Health System, Inc. in support of professional training for specialists from Bogomolets National Medical University (NMU) in Kyiv, Ukraine. The grant covers travel, accommodation, meals, medical insurance, and related expenses for three Ukrainian professionals to complete a two-week training at the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute in Pittsburgh. The training will focus on radiation oncology, preparing the team to operate advanced equipment being installed in Kyiv.

This initiative builds on BBF’s ongoing partnership with AHN Cancer Institute, Radiating Hope, and Elekta to establish a cancer treatment center at NMU. In 2023, BBF shipped a linear accelerator (LINAC) to Ukraine, donated by Radiating Hope, to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment for patients who have had limited access to care during the war. The LINAC delivers highly targeted radiation therapy that conforms to the shape of a tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.

Staff from AHN Cancer Institute and Elekta will continue working with Ukrainian clinicians to ensure effective use of the equipment through both in-person and online training.