By Frank Peterson | President
We in Partner for Surgery would like to share with you the experiences of seven year old Kimberly, who had almost lost hope of getting desperately needed surgery. Five years ago Kimberly’s family noticed a significant mass in her groin and took her to the local health center where they were told nothing could be done. Since the family lives near the border with Mexico, in desperation they took Kimberly to a private Mexican hospital where they learned that surgery was possible but at prohibitive cost. The family survives only by selling potatoes and a few pigs.
Two months ago Kimberly’s parents heard that a Partner for Surgery medical mission would soon be in their village. With renewed hope, they got in line to see the team where one of our dedicated volunteer doctors, Dr. Brigid Glackin from the University of Illinois, evaluated Kimberly. She was recommended for surgery and put on the schedule for our March surgical team. We escorted Kimberly and one of her parents to the Guatemala City hospital, Fundacion Pediatrica, where Dr. Ed Doolin had again brought his team from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Kimberly’s surgery was successful and the next day I visited her with other Partner for Surgery staff. She had a beautiful smile and looked like she had just won the lottery. I asked “Why the big smile?” and she answered - “I am smiling because today I feel like new; I feel I can continue to have fun and be a kid. I will be able to play, run and walk with my two brothers. I missed that.”
We often forget to enjoy life and, at her young age, Kimberly reminded us to do so. Partner for Surgery will continue to work hard to help more children to enjoy life and being kids.
Kimberly’s story is one of hundreds that can be told because donors like you have helped fund our GlobalGiving Project. Please continue supporting this project so that Partner for Surgery can continue serving those in Guatemala who have no other options but the care we make possible.
Since our last report 172 patients have surgery and 538 individuals have been evaluated in rural communities by Partner for Surgery. If you would like to volunteer for a rural medical mission, please check our website for details. Medical and non-medical volunteers are needed.
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