MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Russian airstrikes right now are an everyday reality for Ukrainians.
This week, a children’s hospital was destroyed. It’s heartbreaking for Memphis doctor Anthony Sheyn, who works with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, LeBonheur Children’s Hospital and is an associate professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
“Seeing playgrounds reduced to rubble and burned down cars it’s very, very, very tough,” said Dr. Sheyn.
Playgrounds like the ones he and his twin brother grew up playing at when they lived in Ukraine.
“I still have very vivid memories of growing up there and going on vacation,” said the surgeon. “It’s very, very hard. Seeing all that and now the western part of the country is involved as well and that’s where I grew up.”
After his family immigrated to the U.S. when he was 7, Sheyn, who came from a family of doctors, studied medicine. He specialized in treating children with trauma, cancer and sleep apnea.
He’s now giving back to children from his home country.
“As large as that country is, there’s a big need to help those kids because unfortunately, disease such as cancer it doesn’t stop for war,” he explained.