At the Front – Our Volunteer’s story

We are thrilled to publish the series of articles written by our volunteer Megan M. after her first lifesaving mission in the east of Ukraine. Megan joined us in the first days of October 2024, and right after, she went to support the Medical Evacuation project. This is the first part of her text about volunteering near the frontline: courage, professionalism, danger, and teamwork. No words can express our appreciation for your work, Megan!

Day 1: Arrival and First Shift

“Megan, you need to remember these words: gleba and vypad.” I’m told as we make the drive towards Donetsk Oblast. It’s my third time in Ukraine, but first time so close to the front. “What do they mean?” I ask. It turns out these words are used in the event of a Russian aerial attack and mean that I need to immediately take cover. We continue driving. It’s dark out. We eventually make it to the apartment where we’ll stay for the night. Tomorrow, the work begins. 

Day 1: I wake up that morning and realize we don’t have any running water. Just last night we heard what sounded like shooting on the street below. Not even 24 hours have passed since arriving. 

We leave the apartment around 1100 for our shift. 

We make it to our post. On our way there, I’m told we are in the last city before the front line. We get dispatched out of the “Base”. There, we evacuate soldiers from the stabilization point to the hospital.

Not long after we arrive at the Base, a few explosions ring out. They must have been close because the building shook. Me and another guy are playing ping pong. We pause for a second to see what will happen. The first one rings out, then the second. Nothing. We’re still alive. We continue playing. It’s an escape from the reality around us.  

Still no running water. It’s almost 2200.  

We also have five fighter jets over us. I’ll try to rest.

0345 and the radio chirps. It’s our turn to be dispatched. We have to work at night. During the day is too dangerous. On our way to the stabilization point the sky lights up white. I’m asked, “do you see that light?” “Yes.” I respond. “Explosions.” He says calmly. 

We successfully transport our first patient. On the way back to the Base the sky lights up again. More explosions. 

We typically work 24-hour shifts, and our first, is coming to an end.