UAH 2 million was raised to support rehabilitation programs for Ukrainian veterans who lost limbs as a result of the war during the Canadian tour of the documentary project Second Wind. In May 2026, the project team screened the film in nine cities across Canada, reaching an audience of 2,233 attendees. The tour became a platform for an open dialogue about the experiences of Ukrainian veterans, recovery after combat injuries, and continued support for Ukraine.
The tour was symbolically launched with the Toronto Marathon, where veteran and active-duty servicemember Vladyslav Shatilo, who returned to an active life after losing a lower limb in the war, completed the full 42.2-kilometre distance alongside Oleksandr Pedan, co-founder of the project. Their participation drew attention to the needs of Ukrainian veterans and the importance of long-term rehabilitation.
The film was screened in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver.
Second Wind is a documentary following five Ukrainian service members who, after sustaining life-changing injuries, climbed Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. The project is produced by Gennady Gazin, a Ukrainian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Following each screening, audiences were invited to discussions with the project team, who shared the mission of the Second Wind community—a support network for veterans who have lost limbs as a result of the war. Through adaptive mountain sports and long-term recovery programs, the community helps veterans rebuild active and fulfilling lives.
“The Canadian tour became much more than a series of film screenings. In every city, we witnessed genuine support for Ukraine and a deep interest in the stories of our veterans. Most importantly, we saw people’s willingness to become part of their recovery journey,” said Oleksandr Pedan, co-founder of the Second Wind Charitable Foundation.
Fundraising for rehabilitation programs was an integral part of the tour. Through ticket sales and charity auctions held in every city, the project raised UAH 1,310,000 to support rehabilitation programs for Ukrainian veterans.
An additional UAH 147,000 was raised during the Toronto Marathon through the fundraising efforts of Vladyslav Shatilo and Oleksandr Pedan.
The initiative continued with the Second Wind Charity Run series, organised by the Ukrainian running community in ten Canadian cities. These events raised a further UAH 543,000 in support of veterans’ rehabilitation.
Perhaps the tour’s greatest achievement, however, was not only the funds raised but also the community it brought together. In every city, the screenings became spaces for meaningful conversations, new connections, and collaborative initiatives that continue beyond the tour itself. Inspired by the stories of the film’s protagonists, Ukrainian communities across Canada joined charitable initiatives and engaged in open discussions about recovery after war.
“It was a great honour for us to be part of this tour. These screenings became much more than cultural events—they united people around a shared mission of supporting Ukrainian veterans,” said the team at KAZKA Entertainment, the tour organisers.
The Canadian tour was made possible thanks to the support of KAZKA Entertainment and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, whose partnership helped organise the screenings, fundraising initiatives, and the project’s international distribution.
