IMPACT
THE IMPACT OF EVERY STEP
Since 2022, Oleksandr “Olek” Kyyanytsya has completed five long-distance fundraising walks across Canada, raising a total of $67,000 CAD for medical aid in Ukraine.
WHERE THE FUNDS HAVE GONE
Supporting Children Affected by War
Equipping Frontline & Mobile Hospitals
At the beginning of the war, funds raised through Olek’s walks helped support children affected by the conflict, including Children’s Hospital #2 in Kyiv, the Neurological Institution, and the Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine.
Funds also supported the Neurosurgical Institute in purchasing medical shunts.
Equipping Frontline & Mobile Hospitals
Equipping Frontline & Mobile Hospitals
As the war continued, the mission expanded to support field and mobile hospitals providing urgent care to wounded soldiers and people affected by the Russian invasion. This included support for two mobile hospitals near Donetsk, where medical teams provide first aid and treatment in extremely difficult conditions.
Partnering with Volunteer 100
Partnering with Volunteer 100
Since 2023, Olek has also worked with Volunteer 100, also known as Dobrovolya, a volunteer organization in Ukraine that helps provide medical equipment to frontline hospitals.
Through Gift of Walking, funds raised help cover the cost of surgical and medical equipment for Ukrainian doctors, frontline hospitals, and mobile medical teams.
WALKS COMPLETED
Montreal to Ottawa — 2022
Olek’s first long-distance fundraising walk took place from July 16 to July 30, 2022. Over three weeks, he walked approximately 200 kilometres from Montreal to Ottawa and raised $22,000 CAD.
Of those funds, $17,000 CAD was donated to two children’s hospitals in Kyiv. The remaining funds supported the Neurosurgical Institute in purchasing medical shunts.
Montreal to Ottawa — 2023
In 2023, Olek completed the Montreal to Ottawa walk for a second time, walking from May 20 to June 9 and raising $8,000 CAD.
That year, Olek began collaborating with Volunteer 100, also known as Dobrovolya, a volunteer organization in Ukraine that helps provide medical equipment to frontline hospitals.
Montreal to Ottawa — 2024
In 2024, Olek walked from Montreal to Ottawa for the third time, completing the route from July 12 to August 16. This walk raised $2,000 CAD for frontline medical support in Ukraine.
Toronto to Niagara Falls — 2024
Also in 2024, Olek completed a second walk from Toronto to Niagara Falls, covering approximately 150 kilometres from May 18 to June 16.
This walk raised $8,000 CAD, which was directed toward frontline hospitals and medical support for people affected by the war.
Calgary to Banff — 2025
In 2025, Olek completed his most successful fundraiser to date: a walk from Calgary to Banff.
With support from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Calgary, UCC Bow Valley, the Ukrainian community in Cochrane, volunteers, and generous donors, the walk raised almost $27,000 CAD.
More than 80 volunteers helped bring this project to life, showing the power of community behind Olek’s mission.
CONTINUING THE MISSION
Olek’s work is not finished.
Gift of Walking continues to grow as Olek prepares for future fundraising walks and seeks new ways to bring communities together in support of Ukraine.
Every donation, every volunteer, every host, every shared message, and every act of encouragement helps move the mission forward.
Together, we can help Olek continue turning every difficult step into hope for Ukraine.
