Why this Ukrainian-Canadian singer joined the front lines as a combat medic
Marichka Marczyk used her voice to support her home country for years as one half of the band Balaclava Blues
For Ukrainian Canadian singer Marichka Marczyk, being on the battlefield in Ukraine is less scary than worrying about her home country from afar.
"It's always [easier] to be in the centre of this cyclone … than to sit at home and watch," Marczyk, 47, told The Current host Matt Galloway.
She and her husband make up the Toronto-based band Balaclava Blues, and both also play in the Lemon Bucket Orkestra. Their lyrics tell the tales of war and Ukrainian resistance, and they've performed at fundraisers for Ukraine.
After years of supporting her home country using her voice, Marczyk — who was born in Kyiv — wanted to do more. So, she returned to Ukraine in October, where troops have been pushing back against entrenched Russian forces, to serve as a medic with a tank platoon.
Many of her friends in Canada told her she should stay with her four kids and focus on music, rather than trying to make change as a medic. But Marczyk was set on helping on the ground.
"Who [are] our heroes? It's not mama making Borsch every single day at home. It's usually people who do crazy [things]," said Marczyk. "And I'm pretty sure, maybe not now, but later my kids will be proud of me."
Life on the battlefield
Marczyk, who previously volunteered in a military hospital during Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity in 2014, completed a week-long training course upon returning to Ukraine this October to become a certified combat medic.
Marczyk said giving care in Ukraine is very different from the guidelines given any training manual.
Usually, a field medic would provide simple first aid before delivering an injured person to the next station, where they would be treated by people with more expertise. But in Ukraine, that next station usually isn't available due to a lack of resources.
"By book, what we're learning, it's like some medical helicopter appears and with a bunch of help, you're carrying bodies, everything is ready. [In reality] there's no helicopters," Marczyk said. "My instructors kind of [laugh] when they read this book because this is just not available."
Marczyk spent a few weeks with a tank platoon once she was trained. All of the soldiers were young — about 20 years old — and Marczyk was the only woman.
"I just told them, okay, I will be your mom," said Marczyk. She said the whole group began to feel like they were part of a family by the end of the few weeks, and the soldiers now send her messages asking when she'll come back.
Having her own family at home in Canada, Marczyk said it's difficult feeling split between the two countries. "It's hard to be everywhere and to leave one family and choose another one."
'We're fighting with love'
When Marczyk visited her brother in Ukraine over the summer, she said people were happy despite the strain of war. But Ukrainians seemed more tired and upset as of late, according to Marczyk.
Marczyk has already booked a ticket back to Ukraine in December to serve as a medic again. She plans to take as much as she can to help as winter approaches, like warm winter jackets, gloves and medical supplies. She's also raising money to buy the tank platoon she was with another car, after two of theirs were destroyed shortly after she left.
Marczyk said her family isn't eager for her to go back to Ukraine, but she told them it's what she needs to do.
"They're in a peaceful place. [The kids] have a bunch of different mothers. They have my husband. They're busy at school. They will be fine," said Marczyk.
While she doesn't know when the fighting might end, Marczyk said she has to be optimistic that day might come soon and reminds herself of the ways her country has already been victorious.
"We're fighting with love. Ukrainians … fight [for] their land so, so hard with a huge passion. So for me, it's already winning."
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Interview with Marichka Marczyk produced by Julie Crysler
