A 16-year-old Ukrainian refugee named Mark Kurylenko is hospitalized with severe injuries following a car crash in Vancouver, Washington, on June 21. His family had recently relocated to Oregon through the Uniting for Ukraine humanitarian program to escape the ongoing war in their home country.
Kurylenko was a passenger in the backseat of a vehicle when the driver lost control, causing the car to swerve and roll over. Despite wearing a seatbelt, the teenager sustained catastrophic injuries. His mother, Nadia Kurylenko, described the severity of his injuries, stating that his nose was displaced to his eyes, a finger was nearly amputated, and his ear required reconstruction from 21 pieces. The crash also resulted in a fractured skull, severe facial injuries, and a significant loss of tissue from his knee.
Following the accident, Kurylenko was in a coma for several days. He has since regained consciousness but remains hospitalized and faces a lengthy recovery period. He will require reconstructive surgery for his nose and ear. However, the family's insurance coverage has been exhausted, and they have been informed that further treatment cannot proceed without payment. This presents a significant financial burden, as they navigate medical care in a new country, manage a language barrier, and care for their other three children.
Friends and family have described Kurylenko as kind and faithful, noting his ability to quickly form friendships after arriving in the United States. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist the Kurylenko family with their son's extensive medical expenses, aiming to raise $25,000. As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser had garnered $3,700. The Church of Grace, where the family found community, has also initiated a separate fundraiser to support them.
