Community & Giving: Quest Diagnostics opens its doors to the Children of Chernobyl

Every summer, approximately 120 children of the Chernobyl Children Project visit the United States in order to receive extensive medical evaluations resulting from their proximity to the site of the nuclear disaster of 1986 in Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine. These children, ages 11 to 16 years old, visit the U.S. to stay with host families in the Boston, MA area, and, beginning in June 2006, Quest Diagnostics proudly joined the list of the healthcare contributors.

On April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, a reactor exploded, sending a plume of radioactive fallout over the entire geographical region. Large areas in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia were badly contaminated, resulting in the evacuation and resettlement of over 336,000 people. The explosion was approximately 400 times the size of the fallout that was released by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in World War II, and is said to be considered the worst nuclear power plant disaster in history.

One of the biggest catastrophes of the century is increasingly forgotten. Many radioactive elements appear to have the same composition as the natural and vital minerals that our bodies need, and are therefore causing damaging effects on the residents of this region today. For example, radioactive iodine is responsible for the increase in cancer of the thyroid that has been seen in children. Strontium 90 has also been found in the area, which is similar to calcium and becomes part of the bone structure. Types of bone and bone marrow cancers may be the result of ingesting this chemical.

In an effort to provide aid to the suffering children of this region, the staff at our Cohasset, MA, Patient Service Center has partnered with a local pediatrician's office to provide diagnostic services to approximately 30 children who are part of the Chernobyl Children Project. The children generally have a routine examination by the pediatrician, and then have their blood drawn and provide a urine sample. In coordination with the laboratory tests that they undergo, these children also schedule visits with optometrists, dentists and other health care professionals.

“The Chernobyl Children Project is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of these children, and nothing is overlooked,” said Clare Wahl, Territory Manager, Patient Services. “The process is efficient and effective, and it has always been my pleasure to be involved in this project. I enjoy it tremendously and I am proud to represent Quest Diagnostics in such a positive and worthwhile endeavor.”

The Chernobyl Children Project is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian organization whose mission is to offer care and relief to the forgotten children of Chernobyl. There are approximately 4 million children suffering the effects of this disaster, including illnesses such as thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism and other radiation-related sicknesses.

“We very much appreciate the generous donations from Quest Diagnostics every year,” said Patricia Doyle, President of the Chernobyl Children Project. “Without their ability to accurately diagnose the children, this project would not be able to assist the physicians from the Chernobyl region in treating these young children properly. We extend our greatest thanks to the company.”

Although many are still suffering, we hope that our efforts to properly test and provide hope to these children will offer some relief to their families back home. For more information on the Chernobyl Children Project, please visit their Web site: www.ccpusa.org.