Saniflo Donates Product to Residents Whose Ukrainian Family Escaped from War

Saniflo North America (Canada) Donates Product to Residents Whose Ukrainian Family Escaped from Russia-Ukraine War

Saskatchewan residents use a donated Sanicompact macerating pump unit to add a basement toilet for Ukrainian family members with the help of Regina-based contractor Able Plumbing & Heating.

ESTLIN, SASKATCHEWAN (AUGUST 2, 2022) — As Saskatchewan residents Jeff and Yana Zhdanova watched Russia attack Ukraine, they knew getting Yana’s Ukrainian family to safety in Canada was a top priority. Jeff’s wife Yana was born and raised in Sumy, a Ukrainian town located 30 kilometers south of the Russian border that was under direct attack.

“The blast that killed 20 people was only a four-minute walk from my father-in-law’s house,” explained Saskatchewan resident Jeff Zhdanova. “The blast itself blew out the windows in their house, with bomb parts landing in their back yard.”

Yana’s mother, father and grandmother fled Sumy to Cherkasy, Ukraine. However, the stress of the trip proved too much for Yana’s father, who passed away only two weeks later. With the war raging on, Yana’s mother and grandmother chose to leave Cherkasy for Poland. Eventually, Yana decided to fly there as well to bring them to her home in Canada.

Meanwhile, Zhdanova knew time was of the essence, and funds were limited as he made preparations in their home in Estlin to accommodate his wife’s family. Currently renting a ranch home on an acreage with one bathroom, the basement allowed for enough space for an additional bathroom, but Zhadona knew that breaking through concrete was not an option.

Through his career in construction, Zhadanova was familiar with upflow toilets and the ease of installation and cost savings with Saniflo products, eliminating the need to break through the concrete floors. The Sanicompact became the obvious choice to install an additional bathroom in the basement  for the suddenly expanding household.

After receiving word of the Zhdanova’s situation, Saniflo Canada donated not only the Sanicompact, but also funded the installation, hiring Able Plumbing & Heating in nearby Regina to complete the installation of the one-piece toilet-system.

“We decided to offer support in any capacity we could,” explains Phil Warren, Managing Director for Saniflo Canada. “It’s of the utmost importance to Saniflo that we give back to our communities, especially during this war so that Ukraine and Canada can continue to build trust in our brand.”

Sanicompact combines a toilet bowl and macerator in a single, compact fixture, offering a self-contained unit for tight spaces, while using a minimum amount of water but with high efficiency. The dual-flush toilet system moves waste and paper into the macerator when activated by a push button. The waste is then pumped away into the sewer or septic system.

With the Sanicompact successfully installed, Zhdanova will complete the installation, bringing the comfort and privacy of an additional, full bathroom to his relocated family.

“I can’t say enough positive things about Saniflo,” says Zhdanova. “They showed kindness to complete strangers and helped us when they didn’t need to. Actions speak louder than words.”

Saniflo North America (Canada) Donates Product to Residents Whose Ukrainian Family Escaped from Russia-Ukraine War

ABOUT SFA SANIFLO®

SANIFLO North America – whose parent company originated macerating plumbing technology – offers a complete line of macerating and grinding upflush toilet systems and drain-water pumping systems for residential and commercial applications. SANIFLO developed its innovative, “above-floor plumbing” technology more than a half-century ago and has led its commercialization worldwide. Today, the company markets macerating technology through 22 subsidiaries in 50 countries and has sold more than six million units worldwide since 1958. SANIFLO products are available through independent sales agents throughout North America, and the product line is currently available at most major plumbing wholesalers and hardware retailers.

●  For more information or installation videos, contact Saniflo Canada at 1-800-363-5874. Or visit the Saniflo Canada website at saniflo.ca.

●  For editorial assistance, including photography, contact John O’Reilly ([email protected]) or Payton Meyers ([email protected]) c/o GreenHouse Digital + PR: 815-469-9100.