Standing in Solidarity with Ukraine
Dear Molecular Imaging Community,
The World Molecular Imaging Society is horrified by the shocking violence and loss of life as a result of unprovoked aggression led by Vladimir Putin. It is with great sadness and disbelief that we watch the current military actions that are being carried out in Ukraine. These actions are unwarranted and initiated under the justification of a lie. The WMIS condemns this attack on democracy.
We stand in solidarity with Ukraine, its people, and Ukrainian imaging scientists as they face efforts to destabilize their nation. We also stand in support of the many courageous Russian citizens who condemn Putin’s actions as they put their own personal safety at risk for democracy and freedom.
As the crisis unfolds and war efforts escalate, the Ukrainian people will need support from around the world. We urge you to find a way to donate and we have listed several organizations that are supporting humanitarian efforts.
The Molecular Imaging community will continue to hold the Ukrainian people and their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. Several WMIS members have reached out with statements of support and we urge you to share your thoughts and concerns for those people who are involved.
300 research labs that have
signed up to
help
Ukrainian Scientists
Verified donation sites you can contribute to help Ukrainians in these most challenging times
Carolyn Anderson, PhD
WMIS President
Julie Sutcliffe, PhD
WMIS President
Lisa Baird
WMIS CEO
Member Statements
Vladimir Putin, a brutal Russian dictator unleashed an unprovoked war against Ukraine a sovereign country. Homes or private citizens, hospitals, and airports are being bombed and destroyed. The lives of people are being shattered. Children are killed. As someone who was born in Russia, I am horrified, ashamed, and outraged for what my former country is doing. I stand with the people of Ukraine and Ukrainian imaging scientists and strongly condemn Russian aggression. I know that fascist Putin will be defeated and put on international trial for his crimes against humanity, just like it happened in Nuremberg. Pray for Ukraine and its people.
Anna Moore PhD
Michigan State University
Canada has a huge Ukrainian community of which my husband and his family are a part of. We are deeply saddened by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. We stand with all people of Ukraine and the innocent Russian citizens who will also suffer. We strongly condemn the Russian aggression.
Paula J. Foster, Ph.D.
Robarts Research Institute
Let’s stand together against this inhuman aggression against Ukraine. I hope for prompt actions from the west and the rest of the world to stop this unnecessary violence.
Vladimir Ponomarev, M.D., Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
As a German-American, I am deeply disturbed by the invasion of Ukraine by Russian soldiers. I am worried that history is repeating itself. Today, Ukranian citizens are standing up to fight and refugees are heading for the borders. Tomorrow, all of our lives might be in danger. We have to stand up for our values: Integrity, Honesty, Compassion. It is not “us” against “them”. Many of the Russian people do not want war either. Russian citizens are demonstrating on the streets. Russian mothers are mourning as coffins of their family members return to them from the war zone. President Zelensky eloquently summarized in his inspiring speech: The people can stop this. With action. Now.
Heike E. Daldrup-Link, M.D., Ph.D.
Stanford University
I am horrified watching the news from Ukraine. I am Polish but my family has roots in Ukraine and Russia and my heart breaks seeing the struggle and bravery of the Ukrainian people. The situation affects all of us, including scientists. Do not think that Putin is somewhere far away.
Izabela Tworowska, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer
RADIOMEDIX, Inc.
Canada’s population is made up of 1.2 million people of Ukrainian descent. As a Canadian, I am outraged by the Russian invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine, and am pleased that the Canadian government has met its goal of $10 million to help Ukrainians in their time of need. I also reject the European colonial perspective that centers whiteness and dehumanizes brown and Black victims of ongoing global conflicts. As a feminist, I recognize that Ukrainian women will suffer sexual violence, and Ukrainian men will be torn from their families, as a result of the patriarchy of the military. Everyone is deserving of peace, dignity, and recognition of their full humanity and liberation.
Savita Dhanvantari Ph.D.
Lawson Health Research Institute
I still marvel at the actions taken by Putin in the last few days. Everyone deserves peace. No human activities can be sustained under continuous state of unrest. Putin needs put down his personal ambition and pursue more sustainable, profitable and healthy goals in the interest of his country and the world at large.
My heart goes out to the Ukranian people who have stood up to the blatant aggression by Russia. The values of freedom and humanity will prevail. I stand by them and hope this comes to an end soon.
Good will prevail forever, (Peace). Putin chooses the path of evil, (War). A negative leader not only harms others, but always causes harm to his own people.
Love is stronger.
I wholeheartedly support WMIS speaking out in solidarity with Ukraine. Though otherwise I am a strong proponent of not mixing science and politics – this is different. A full-scale war against a peaceful country must meet resistance on all levels of society. That’s why I thank WMIS for this initiative.
Please, everyone, support the effort of the Ukrainians to defend their country against the aggression by Putin and the army of the Russian Federation. You can with donations, with public actions and by spreading the word to people you know.
Thanks everyone.
I am shocked that such brutal invasion into a sovereign state and massacre of innocent people can happen in the 21st century. It is very very dangerous for us and the Earth because the World War III could happen if we can’t together stop and completely eliminate the crazy dictator from Russia. Hope the peace coming as soon as possible.
We are still reeling from the effects of Covid-19. Several of the world’s largest economies have crumbled due to the pandemic. And now, out of nowhere, Russia has launched an unlawful invasion of Ukraine. We stand with the people of Ukraine and Ukrainian scientists.
Europe is in deep crisis and so is Asia, due to China’s increased military pressure on Taiwan. I’m deeply anguished by these horrific events.
Russian invasion will not only affect Ukrainians and other surrounding nations, but it will also throw the world order into disarray. I wish that people would return to Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. philosophies of nonviolence.