Laureate of the prize Aurora -2017 became Tom Catena, a doctor from Southern Sudan
ArmInfo.The laureate of the prize Aurora-2017 became Tom Catena from Southern Sudan. The name of Aurora prize winner, held in Yerevan on May 28 was announced by legendary chansonnier Charles Aznavour.
"Thank you for the amazing job that you do "Aurora". Thanks to the Armenian people. I've been here only a week, however, I can say that this is my best trip. I have never met such amazing, sympathetic, kind people. Here, I feel at home, "- said Tom Catena, after receiving Aurora figurine.
Speaking about his work in general , the doctor noted that despite the fact that he is now in Yerevan, his thoughts are in his hospital in Sudan. To note, that three Armenian doctors expressed their readiness to go to Sudan to replace Catena, so that he could come to the awarding ceremony. "I am often asked what is the most difficult part of my job. And I can say that the most difficult and terrible thing is to see how your patient dies, and you cannot do anything. Usually, doctors difficultly overcome the death of patients, but even from such situations they must be able to learn lessons. I remember well all my patients, and those who I helped, and those who I could not>, the doctor said. To note, Dr. Tom Catena left his home in the United States and traveled to Sudan to save lives. He has been saving lives over two decades, by risking his own life.
In total, 5 people - Fartun Adan and Ilvad Elman from Somalia, who created a fund to help women, reached final of Aurora-2017 prize, victims of sexual violence, Congolese gynecologist, Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honor Denis Mukvege - helping women ,affected by sexual violence (helped to more than 50 thousand people); Chairman of the Organization for Capacity Building and Development of the Education System Nur Djamila Afghani, who fights for the rights of women in her country ( helped more than 50 thousand people); Syrian doctor Muhammad Darwish, has already provided medical assistance to over 40,000 people in Syria; And Dr. Catena, who takes up to 400 patients per day, makes up to a thousand operations a year.
In accordance with the rules of this unique award, the winner Tom Catena chose the following three organizations to receive a humanitarian award $ 1 million: this is the African Medical Mission Foundation (AMHF, USA); Aktion Canchanabury (Germany); Council of the Catholic Medical Mission (CMMB USA).
To note, international humanitarian imitative Aurora and Aurora prize, which total prize fund is $ 1 million, were created on behalf of the descendants of the survivors of Armenian Genocide and as a mark of gratitude to those who risked their lives and well-being for the sake of saving others. At the first awarding ceremony held in Armenian capital on April 24, 2016, the winner of the Aurora Prize was Marguerite Barankits, founder of Shalom House and REMA Hospital in Burundi. Barankits was honored for her unique contribution to the rescue of thousands of children and helping orphans and refugees affected by the civil war in Burundi.