On 27 June, the second UCU charitable run with Metropolitan Borys Gudziak was held. More than 800 participants ran the distance to support UCU students. They ran not only in Striyskyi Park in Lviv, but also in various parts of Ukraine and the world.
The second UCU run with Metropolitan Borys Gudziak
The goal of the run is to support students through UCU’s DoNatsia scholarship fund. The participants were able to choose their distance, to walk or run at their own speed, and, instead of a set entrance fee, the participants sign up for donations to the fund. All funds collected go for financial support of education at the university. UCU’s second run achieved a record number of active donors, 1 967.
More than 800 people joined UCU’s second run with Metropolitan Borys Gudziak
This year’s event was held on the 25th anniversary of St. Pope John Paul II’s visit to Lviv. On 27 June 2001, during his visit to Ukraine, St. John Paul II blessed the cornerstone for the construction of the future UCU campus. Twenty-five years later, the university community again gathered on this date to support the new generation of students.
Also taking part in the run were representatives of the UCU Center in Kyiv and the UCU Foundation in Wroclaw, Poland. At a distance, they took part at the same time. This emphasized the university community’s unity, regardless of location.
The second UCU run with Metropolitan Borys Gudziak
At 9 a.m. the participants of the run joined in a national moment of silence and quiet prayer in memory of those lost as a consequence of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. Then Archbishop of the UGCC Philadelphia Archeparchy and President of Ukrainian Catholic University Metropolitan Borys Gudziak led a prayer for Ukraine’s defenders and slain heroes, those missing in action, captives, their families, and those who await the return of their relatives. And he blessed the start of the run.
Joining in the run were students, professors, UCU staff, graduates, families with children, veterans, friends of the university, partners, and benefactors. Some ran, some walked, and the youngest were in strollers or on bicycles. All joined in supporting education.
“When we run together, we experience community. Today we held the second run to help students acquire a quality education through the participants’ generosity. But this year is special. It is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s visit to our land. After this event, Ukraine became different. And today we are united, despite this terrible war. We know that God’s truth will prevail. This is the context of the run,” emphasized Metropolitan Borys Gudziak.
The main partner of this year’s run was the company SoftServe. In the spring, UCU and SoftServe started a joint project for the support of students: The company will double every new donation to the DoNatsia scholarship fund made from April to July.
On the day of the run, SoftServe announced another gift: This match will be extended another month, through 1 September.
“Quality education is a key to Ukraine’s future success. So it was important for us not only to support the DoNatsia project financially but also to have our people join the initiative. This year, some 50 employees of the company in Lviv and Kyiv joined the charitable run, and a number of our colleagues donated. Each contribution, regardless of the amount, helps talented students gain access to education and realize their potential. We are grateful to everyone who took part in this initiative, because joint events like this create noticeable changes for youth and the country in general. The UCU run is not about ‘running’ but about forward movement and development.” So emphasized Yaroslav Lyubinets, co-founder and chairman of the Board of Directors of SoftServe.
The SoftServe team at the run
We recall that the tradition of matching donations started last year. Thanks to the initiative of business analyst Adrian Slywotzky in the 2025-2026 academic year UCU’s DoNatsia fund reached more than 1 000 active subscribers and over the year raised 4 567 555 hryvnias. As a result, 43 students received full and partial scholarships to study at UCU.
More than 800 people joined UCU’s second run with Metropolitan Borys Gudziak.
Laura Honsales-Shmihel
This year, Laura Honsales-Shmihel graduated from the Culture Studies program. During her studies, she received a scholarship from DoNatsia. She joined in this year’s run.
“I am aware that my education was possible thanks to the contributions of more than 1 000 people, the majority of whom I will, probably, never know personally. This moves me and gives me a great responsibility. It was important for me to support DoNatsia today, now as a graduate, because for me this is not only about support. It’s about the feeling of belonging to a community of people who believe and who trust one another and are ready to help others,” emphasized Laura Honsales-Shmihel.
Each person who finished received a medal and presents from the event’s sponsors.
After the run, on the lawn near the University Church of the Holy Wisdom of God, there was an opportunity to chat, take group photos, and hear a talk by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ukraine.
“Pope John Paul II led the way. God’s providence led him to bless our people, so that we understand our God-given dignity and, without fear and insecurity, can follow our calling,” the metropolitan emphasized in his talk.
“Continue running, love and serve people, make sacrifices, don’t be afraid of losing something. The Lord will increase each gift. You and I have seen too much not to believe. You are now standing on ground that was to be used by atheist Soviets, but now it radiates the love of God and of you and me.”
Metropolitan Borys Gudziak during UCU’s second charitable run
The concluding part of the program was an appeal to the Pope. Hundreds of participants recorded a video address to Pope Leo XIV, inviting him to visit Ukraine. The flashmob happened on the territory of UCU’s campus with the hashtag #УкраїнціЧекаютьПапу. [Ukrainians are waiting for the Pope.]
The traveling studio of Radio SKOVORODA was operating on campus during the whole event. It had a live broadcast from the UCU run. UCU graduate Yaroslav Nazar, a host of the station, acquainted listeners with the people who create Ukrainian Catholic University.
Addendum
The scholarship fund DoNatsia helps UCU students with high academic achievements, an active civic position, but also financial need so that they can pay for their education. Among them are children of soldiers, including the slain, students from currently occupied territories, internally displaced persons, youth from large families, and others who need scholarships to study at UCU. A scholarship commission chooses the candidates, and financial support fully or partially supports their studies.
We invite all to subscribe to the DoNatsia scholarship fund. There is no minimum donation. Every donation counts!
The organizers thank the sponsors of UCU’s second charitable run:
Sponsor of the start – Rukavychka network of stores
Sponsor of the finish – Blyzenko network of stores
Sponsor of the first kilometer – TM LIMO
Sponsor of the second kilometer and provider of water – TM Truskavetska
Sponsor of the third kilometer – Lviv Croissants network of stores
Sponsor of the fourth kilometer – the Nova Oselya company
We thank the event’s partners:
ProBig Club, UCU Medical Clinic, Sheptytsky Hospital, UCU Center in Kyiv, the Office of Sports, Lvivska Khvylya radio, Radio SKOVORODA, UCU Alumni, UCU Business School, Druk Tekstyl, ETISOFT, Yulak Sound, Dezart Hrup, Biskotti, Pikkolo, Molokiya, UCU Online, Gheesome, Turbat, Dyvys.info, Inspired BY, Borjomi.
