The global charitable organization Siemens Caring Hands will provide $250,000 to Unlimited Tomorrow Global Initiative to secure prostheses for victims in Ukraine
Siemens software is used for the personalized development and 3D printing of prostheses, enabling delivery directly to victims in the Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has produced numerous amputation victims. In total, more than 10,000 prostheses are needed in the country. To help those affected who have lost one or more limbs, Unlimited Tomorrow Global Initiative (UTGI) has launched a fundraising initiative in partnership with Singularity Group to deliver 100 of its personalized TrueLimb prostheses to Ukraine. Siemens Caring Hands is contributing to the initiative through an initial $250,000 donation, which will cover the costs for 25 victims.
Unlimited Tomorrow Global Initiative is a humanitarian organization in the U.S. that aims to provide equal access to modern and affordable prostheses. On the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries, the organization works with partners to ensure that people with the most urgent needs are reached.
UTGI has partnered with New York-based Unlimited Tomorrow, a pioneer in personalized 3D-printed prosthetics. The company’s work is based on 3D scanning technology, generative design software, and additive manufacturing, in partnership with Siemens. The key to a personalized fit is perfecting the socket that connects the prosthesis to a person's residual limb. To create the best possible connection, Unlimited Tomorrow uses software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio including NX AM software and Teamcenter software. After an initial 3D scan of the limb, the socket model is created and, after 3D printing, test sockets are shipped to hospitals in Ukraine. Virtual consultation is used to select the best-fitting socket, after which the final TrueLimb prosthesis is additively manufactured and delivered to the hospitals. Unlimited Tomorrow then provides training resources for the bionic limb.
“I founded Unlimited Tomorrow to create empowering technology that is accessible to all,” said Easton LaChappelle, Founder and CEO of Unlimited Tomorrow “With the recent war in Ukraine, we knew Ukrainians needed as much support as possible. Our unique technology and model allowed for quick mobilization to provide needed prosthetic solutions to the rising number of amputees. Together with Singularity Group and Unlimited Tomorrow Global Initiative, we formed the needed partnerships with hospitals and provided 3D scanners and training to help as many people as possible. Our goal is to raise donations to provide a minimum of 100 prosthetic devices.”
The use of groundbreaking technology such as 3D scanning, 3D modeling, 3D printing, smart algorithms and virtual communications means amputees can access their protheses and receive training even while living in a war zone. This process shortens the time it takes to deliver prosthetic arms, solves accessibility issues, and reduces the price of a high functioning prosthetic arm significantly. To learn more, or make a donation, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/prosthetic-arms-for-ukraine.
“Siemens and its employees decided many years ago to create the charitable organization Siemens Caring Hands, a strong partner in the fight against the effects of global crises,” said Stephan Frucht, board member of Siemens Caring Hands. “Improving the quality of life of crisis victims is the focus of our work. We are glad to be able to work with experienced partner organizations like Unlimited Tomorrow to mitigate the dramatic consequences of the war in Ukraine.”
Siemens has launched a series of humanitarian measures to support local Ukrainian families and refugees from the war zone since the beginning of March 2022. Through the Siemens Caring Hands organization, Siemens AG and Siemens Healthineers have donated emergency aid of €1 million each to the Red Cross, Caritas and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe. In addition, Siemens is doubling every euro donated to Siemens Caring Hands here. So far, more than €11 million have been collected for aid projects in Ukraine.