Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., APRIL 14, 2020 – The Association of Croatian American Professionals Foundation (ACAPF) announced that over $160,000 has been raised to help hospitals in various parts of Croatia purchase critical medical equipment and supplies to meet the needs of their patients after the challenges of the March 22nd earthquake in Zagreb and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Following a generous contribution of $125,000, donated by Mario Ančić, Ante Kušurin, and their partners Dick Cashin and Steve Lunau at One Equity Partners, the first installment of funds was transferred today to a charitable fund “Croatia against Coronavirus” established and administered by the government of Croatia.
“We understand that help is needed and needed now, especially for the newborn and those most vulnerable. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from over 400 donors at the grassroots and corporate level,” said Dr. Steven Pavletić, MD, ACAP vice president. “These are difficult and uncertain economic times for everyone, including our members. The show of unity and support across all parts of the United States has been extraordinary.”
This is the first major fundraising effort for the ACAP Foundation since it launched last year. The foundation’s mission was intended to support a variety of initiatives aimed at encouraging business and educational experiences in Croatia. However, in recent weeks, it became very clear to ACAP members across the United States, that the recent natural disaster and pandemic was an urgent call to react to Croatia’s human services crisis.
What began as a grassroots effort when Šibenik-born Ivan Milković, an IT entrepreneur and CEO of Sales Peritias in Zagreb, contacted his colleague Miryana Joksović of ACAP’s chapter in Silicon Valley to set up the GoFundMe campaign, quickly spread among ACAP members and other Croats living in the United States. Mr. Milković, a former basketball player, reached out to Croatian basketball players Rok Stipčević and NBA standout Dario Šarić who joined the effort. Within one hour of the earthquakes striking the heart of Zagreb, a donor drive was being organized to help with relief efforts.
“As a child growing up in Šibenik during the Homeland War, I still remember the hard times and what our parents had to go through. I wanted to do something to give back,” says Mr. Milković. With their parents and loved ones being war veterans, Karlovac-born Ms. Joksović echos the statement, saying “We felt a deep obligation to help and assist those on the front lines this time一hospitals and their medical staff they bravely, selflessly and tirelessly work long hours to help our fellow Croatians.”
Other ACAP chapters soon followed suit in creating awareness for the fund. ACAP New York then shared the news that the ACAPF’s efforts would be supported with a $125,000 donation from One Equity Partners and its partners Dick Cashin, Steve Lunau, Mario Ančić, and Ante Kušurin to aid KB Dubrava, a hospital in Zagreb, and KBC, a hospital in Split, in their COVID-19 pandemic efforts.
Croatian sports fans are very familiar with Mr. Ančić and Mr. Kušurin. Before graduating from Columbia University and becoming an investment banker, Split-born Mr. Ančić reached no. 7 on the ATP rankings and helped Croatia win the Davis Cup in 2005. A bronze Olympian in Athens, Mr. Ančić was also the Wimbledon semi-finalist.
Hailing from Zagreb, Nova Gradiška-born Mr. Kušurin is a Beijing Olympian and a member of the famed Oxford Blue. He earned an undergraduate degree at the University of Washington and two graduate degrees at the University of Oxford. While at Washington, he captained the team and won an array of gold medals for the University. He also continued to row for Croatia’s senior team during his studies in the USA and the UK.
When asked about Mr. Cashin and Mr. Lunau’s connection to Croatia, Mr. Kušurin replied that “Dick and Steve are just great guys who recognize when people are in need.” Harvard graduate Mr. Cashin is also a two-time former Team USA Olympian and a 1974 World Champion in rowing, as well as a prominent philanthropist in New York City. Mr. Lunau is a Williams College graduate and a former captain of its hockey team.
Implementation of ACAPF’s donations in Croatia will be led by ACAP Zagreb chapter president, attorney Don Markušić, and other chapter members. Markušić also chairs the Foundation’s stewardship committee which provides oversight to ensure all donations reach their intended recipient.
In addition to ACAPF donations already transferred to the government of Croatia’s charitable relief accounts, additional donations will be directed toward the purchase of medical equipment needed by hospitals damaged by the earthquake in Zagreb last month.
“We have been in daily contact with the hospitals in Zagreb and the Croatian Ministry of Health to identify their most critical need which at this stage appears to be a new neonatal incubator for Petrova Hospital,” said Don Markušić, ACAP Zagreb chapter president. “Knowing that we will be able to bring some relief for the city’s most vulnerable for years to come will bring a sense of pride for our donors.”
ACAP members and donors are encouraged to explore additional funding options available with matching grants through their corporate employers. To contribute, please visit https://www.croampro.com/donations/
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About the Association of Croatian American Professionals Foundation
The Association of Croatian American Professionals Foundation was established to support the charitable and educational missions of the Association of Croatian-American Professionals (ACAP). The foundation is focused on supporting organizations and programs that encourage and activate business-focused, civic, cultural, medical, and tourism experiences between Croatia and ACAP members, partner organizations, and communities. Launched in 2019, the Foundation announced two key initiatives: to promote medical tourism and fight against cancer in Croatia and award scholarships such as the ACAP Domovina Birthright Program, a scholarship awarded to eligible young Croats interested in visiting their homeland.
ACAP is a non-profit organization bringing together professionals, business leaders, academics, students, and community organizers. Our mission is to foster leadership, and collaboration and to promote the advancement of issues relevant to the Croatian-American community. Since 2014, ACAP has hosted four annual conferences, launched 14 regional chapters in the United States and Croatia, and includes over 1,500 members.