Local doctor asks for help in making first aid kits to send to Ukraine

A local doctor is prepping basic first aid kits to send to the people in Ukraine who are fighting the Russians.

Dr. Dan Olesnicky with Executive Urgent Care in Indian Wells is asking for the public's help in creating thousands of first aid kits to send by the end of the week. His goal: 10,000 first aid kits by Friday.

All the while, Olesnicky has been doing his best to keep in touch with his own family members still in Ukraine.

"I just found out after not hearing from them for several days that they're alive and well and they're still in the fight," said Olesnicky. "Everybody's terrified. But their purpose is very clear. They only have one choice, and that's to stay and defend their homeland."

"This is something that we can do here to save a life right now, today," said Olesnicky. "The fighting is not going to stop this week. There needs to be a steady stream of these going out to Ukraine."

Olesnicky worked as a SWAT law enforcement combat medic for 20 years. He said the kits would help stop the bleeding of an injury. 

Olesnicky made a video, linked below, showing people how they can make an inexpensive kit that can ultimately help save lives. He said each kit can be made for less than $10. He is asking for each person who is able, to please consider making 10 kits to send.

Olesnicky told News Channel 3's Marian Bouchot that Ukrainian Heroes need combat first aid kits.

MED KIT COMPONENTS

• L/XL vinyl gloves - 4
• XL surgical dressing or maxi pad - 2
• Butterfly closure or sterile strips - 4
• Heavy duty band aids - 6
• Large gauze pads 4x4- 3
• Triple antibiotic ointment - 1 tube or a couple of packets ($0.88 Walmart)
• Self-adhering bandage (eg Coban) or  elastic bandage wrap (eg Ace wrap)- 1
• Cotton bandage roll or rolled gauze - 1

Any completed kits can be dropped off at the Executive Urgent Care in Indian Wells.

Olesnicky is asking FedEx and UPS and any other global shipping carrier to ship the kits over to eastern Poland.

"These people are dying and they have no bandages so let's get these made today," said Olesnicky.