Protez Foundation

Who we are

Protez Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) status formed in May 2022 in Minnesota, USA by Yura Aroshidze and prosthetist Dr. Jacob (Yakov) Gradinar. At Protez Foundation, we are committed to helping rehabilitate and promote the opportunity for a normal life for our brave Ukrainian defenders, civilians, and children who have suffered limb loss during the war.

Our goal

Our goal is to raise funds to support prosthetic treatment and rehabilitation for hundreds of Ukrainian adults and children. The average cost of treating one patient is $15,000 ranging between $7,000 and $60,000 depending on the complexity and cost of the prosthetic device. The average time spent in the USA for each patient is 3-4 weeks. For more information, please visit our web page. Follow us on social media for progress updates!

The need in Ukraine

As of November 2022, Protez Foundation received 580 applications. However, the real need is much larger. According to the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, there are about 12,000 amputees currently registered and awaiting prosthetics. The upcoming winter is expected to double those numbers.

Our work

We have already fitted 24 people with prosthetics, including 2 children. By the end of the year, we are on track to complete treatment for a total of 33 patients. This makes Protez Foundation one of the fastest-growing charities in the world helping the MOST Ukrainians to get fitted with prosthetics. 

Just in the past few months: 

1. Procured a house in Minneapolis to host Ukrainians brought by Protez Foundation for prosthetics. 
2. Оpened a Protez Foundation Clinic, a 3,000 sq ft space for prosthetic fittings and rehabilitation for our Ukrainian heroes. 
3. Protez Foundation strives to enrich the rehabilitation experience of our patients: in addition to Minnesota, they have visited Chicago, Washington DC, and Seattle. To help reduce long-term rehabilitation and post-operation costs, we are planning on opening a rehabilitation and prosthetic adjustment center in Ukraine for current or future patients.

Give today to help us bring the next group of Ukrainian soldiers and children to Minnesota for prosthetics!