On June 4, 2026, a press conference was held at the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, during which the results of the 33rd charity Chestnut Run were announced.

During the event, the project team presented the Center with two symbolic checks. The first, totaling UAH 2,400,000, was raised thanks to thousands of participants, teams, partners, and supporters who joined the 33rd Chestnut Run. The second check, worth UAH 580,000, came from an anonymous donor who made one of the largest individual contributions in the history of the Run’s online format.

As a result, the total amount transferred to the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery reached UAH 2,980,000.

This year’s Run also set a new online participation record. Despite martial law and ongoing security challenges, more than 10,000 participants from Ukraine and around the world joined the charity initiative—the highest number recorded since the event moved online.

The funds raised will be used to purchase a modern video laryngoscope for the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care for Newborns at the Center.

This equipment is critically important for treating children with congenital heart defects and complex airway anatomy. A video laryngoscope allows doctors to clearly visualize patients’ airways during procedures, act with maximum precision, reduce the risk of complications, and ensure safer medical interventions even in the most challenging cases.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Chestnut Run was held online for safety reasons. Participants completed the symbolic distance wherever convenient while remaining united by a common goal—to help the Center’s young patients.

This year, participants joined the Run from 79 localities across Ukraine and more than 39 countries worldwide, including Australia, Austria, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Guyana, Denmark, Estonia, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Canada, Kenya, Cyprus, Curaçao, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United States, Thailand, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Finland, France, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Chile, and Switzerland.

A particularly symbolic start took place in Kherson. Despite daily challenges and dangers, a team of colleagues and supporters joined the Run in their hometown for the first time.

The largest international start was held in Vienna, Austria, where the Ukrainian community gathered 284 participants. For several years now, the Austrian capital has demonstrated strong support for the charity project, bringing together Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine around a common cause.

A particularly warm and inspiring start took place in Ireland, joined by Ukrainian skeleton athlete, Olympian, and sports diplomat Vladyslav Heraskevych. His participation became another symbol of international support for the Ukrainian charity initiative.

This year, the project received informational support from Ukrainian embassies in Albania, Austria, Armenia, Greece, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, China, Latvia, Moldova, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Serbia, Slovakia, Uzbekistan, France, Chile, Switzerland, and Japan. Ukrainian consular offices in Antalya, Bali, Barcelona, Bălți, Wrocław, Hamburg, Kraków, Lublin, Milan, and Munich also supported the initiative. Thanks to this support, people around the world learn about the Ukrainian charity project, and thousands unite to help the Center’s young patients regardless of where they live.

An important role in promoting the initiative was played by the ambassadors of the 33rd Chestnut Run. The project was supported by well-known Ukrainian actors, TV hosts, singers, and influencers, including MamaRika, Liudmyla Barbir, Andrii Dzhedzhula, Oksana Hutsait, Yevhen Kot, Daria Trehubova, Anhelina Samchyk, Anastasiia Tsymbalaru, Anastasiia Nesternenko, Alona Yakymenko, Ihor Rubashkin, and Kseniia Vertynska.

Traditionally, on Kyiv Day, a symbolic ambassadors’ start took place at the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, bringing together representatives of government institutions, the diplomatic corps, the medical community, business, media, and Ukraine’s Security and Defense Forces. Participants included representatives of the Kyiv City State Administration, the Kyiv Department of Youth and Sports, the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, businesses, media, and civil society organizations.

A special guest of the event was Klymmen, ambassador of sports and victories and a member of Kalush Orchestra. He supported participants and presented commemorative medals to those who completed the symbolic 5-kilometer distance. The true victory of the Run’s participants is measured not in athletic results, but in children’s lives saved.

The Loko-Moko team helped organize a special children’s start at the Center, creating a genuine celebration for young patients. Team members prepared gifts and joyful experiences for the children, reminding everyone why thousands of people in Ukraine and abroad have united around this cause for more than three decades.

The Chestnut Run team also extends special gratitude to Ukraine’s Defense Forces, including the 19th Separate Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, the 25th Public Order Protection Brigade named after Prince Askold, the 27th Pechersk Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, the Omega Special Purpose Center, the Separate Artillery Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine 3101, and the Northern Kyiv Territorial Command of the National Guard of Ukraine. Thanks to their courage and dedication, it remains possible to continue the tradition of helping children with heart disease even during a full-scale war.

This year, 143 corporate teams from across Ukraine joined the Run. The largest was the monobank | Universal Bank team, which brought together 840 participants.

The Chestnut Run team sincerely thanks every participant, partner, ambassador, organizer of international starts, volunteer, and donor who became part of the 33rd Run. Thanks to this collective support, the charity project has continued for more than 34 years to fulfill its primary mission—helping doctors save children’s hearts.

Photos: Inna Zahorulko, Volodymyr Volchonkov

Partners of the 33rd Chestnut Run

• Media Partner: Champion Radio
• OOH Advertising Partner: BC Media
• IT Partner: Ribs Studio
• Creative Partner: Kukurudza.Agency

Organizers

• Charity Organization “Chestnut Run Charity Foundation”
• Kyiv City State Administration
• Department of Youth and Sports of the City of Kyiv

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#Runningforlittlehearts