Deputy Director of the Institute of Pediatric Hematology, Professor Alexey A. Maschan, says:

Experience and time show that no improvement of the situation in our country, no federal financing can make Russian medicine really up-to-date. Unfortunately, the very organization of the Russian health care system and the method of its financing are not favorable for the introduction of new technologies. Only the help of private foundations and groups indeed makes it possible for us to move forward.

Unrelated marrow transplantation, an extremely promising treatment method, was implemented in our hospital solely thanks to the Charity Foundation of the Help Group. This group of enthusiasts and volunteers, as well as numerous benefactors and sponsors, ensured the survival of this cause when we had no other financing at all. Thus, our team and technology were preserved, and many lives were saved. Many people who supported us in difficult times are well-known to us, yet many are not. As a rule, these people are modest and unwilling to reveal their personalities or names. But we are just infinitely grateful to all of them.

Human concern and friendly attitude are especially necessary for the young patients of our hospital and their parents. Unfortunately,

official psychotherapeutic services are absent in Russian hospitals. In this situation, the work of the Help Group becomes absolutely necessary. Its members support children and parents, who would otherwise have to face their trouble all alone, and help them carry the enormous psychological burden, which is immeasurably heavy, much heavier than even the financial burden...

When the Help Group made its Internet site, I didn't believe in this technology and thought it was too impersonal. However, in our present conditions, "electronic charity" (if this term is suitable) has proved efficient. Having visited many hematology hospitals in our country, knowing their problems, I can say that the Web site of the RCCH Help Group is absolutely unique. I think that it would be wondeful to spread this form of charity activities as wide as possible.