For episode 247 of Crypto Altruists, we share a special documentary-style episode featuring Tetiana of Alliance for Public Health and Ivan, a Ukrainian veteran who tragically lost their sight in the war in 2022. We explore the Touchpoint rehabilitation program, Ivan's powerful story, and how Web3 can build new pathways for sustained support.
In 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the crypto community showed up in historic ways. The Ukrainian government raised over $100 million in crypto. UkraineDAO mobilized millions through NFT sales. UNHCR partnered with Stellar to deliver USDC directly to refugees. It was one of the most powerful examples of Web3 and impact coming together in real time.
But four years later, the headlines have faded. Donor fatigue has set in. Funding has dried up. And organizations that pivoted to serve veterans, displaced families, and others affected by the war are struggling to sustain the programs they built.
Alliance for Public Health is one of those organizations. Originally focused on fighting HIV and AIDS, they expanded their mission after the invasion to serve those affected by the war. One of their programs, Touchpoint, provides specialized rehabilitation for veterans who lost their sight in combat.
In this episode, you'll hear from Tetiana of Alliance for Public Health, who introduces the Touchpoint program and the challenges they're facing. And you'll hear from Ivan, a 20-year-old veteran who lost his sight in a mortar attack in December 2022. His story is one of resilience, rehabilitation, and hope.
You'll also hear reflections on what we can do now: how Web3 can support organizations like APH, the work we're doing behind the scenes with Social Equation Hub, and why building infrastructure for sustained support matters more than ever.
In today's episode you'll discover:
🌱 How Alliance for Public Health evolved from a public health organization to serving veterans and displaced families after the full-scale invasion, and the critical work of their Touchpoint rehabilitation program
💙 Ivan's powerful story: losing his sight in the war, the early struggles of adapting, how Touchpoint helped him rebuild, and his hopes for the future
🌐 How the crypto community showed up for Ukraine in 2022, and why sustained support matters now more than ever as funding dries up and attention shifts
🛠️ New pathways for impact: how Web3 tools like crypto donations, stablecoin-based cash transfers, and transparent impact tracking can create lasting infrastructure for organizations like APH
🚨 The need in Ukraine hasn't gone away. If anything, it's grown: Four years into the war, the headlines have faded and donor fatigue has set in. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has faced massive cuts. International priorities have shifted. But on the ground, more veterans are returning with injuries, more families are displaced, and more people need support. Organizations like Alliance for Public Health, who pivoted from HIV/AIDS work to serve those affected by the war, are struggling to sustain critical programs like Touchpoint. The crisis isn't over. It's just less visible.
💙 Behind every statistic is a person. Ivan's story reminds us why this work matters. Ivan was just 20 years old when a mortar attack took his sight. In an instant, everything changed. The early days were filled with uncertainty, isolation, and the overwhelming question of what comes next. The Touchpoint program gave him tools, community, and a new path forward. His story is a powerful reminder that rehabilitation isn't just about physical recovery. It's about hope, connection, and the belief that life can still be full. And it's a reminder that programs like this only exist because people choose to support them.
🛠️ Web3 can help build infrastructure for sustained support, not just crisis response. In 2022, the crypto community proved what was possible: over $100 million raised for Ukraine, stablecoin-based cash transfers to refugees, and rapid coordination through DAOs and grassroots efforts. But crisis response is only part of the picture. Now, we need infrastructure for sustained support. Platforms like Endaoment make it easy to donate crypto to verified nonprofits, with tools like Quadratic Funding to amplify contributions. And the possibilities extend beyond philanthropy: stablecoin cash transfers, transparent impact evaluation, and decentralized governance. The starting point is giving. The horizon is much broader.
Support thoughtful, independent crypto journalism and help us continue highlighting blockchain’s potential for social and environmental impact.
cryptoaltruists.eth
While we may discuss specific web3 projects or cryptocurrencies on this podcast, please do not take any of this as investment advice, and please make sure to do your own research on potential investment opportunities, or any opportunity. We host a variety of guests on this podcast with the sole purpose of highlighting the social impact use cases of this technology. That being said, Crypto Altruism does not endorse any of these projects, and we recognize that, since this is an emerging sector, some may be operating in regulatory grey areas, and as such, we cannot confirm their legality in the jurisdictions in which they operate, especially as it pertains to decentralized finance protocols. So, before getting involved with any project, it’s important that you do your own research and confirm the legality of the project. More available HERE.
