St. Alexius donates to Haiti relief effort; Wishes physicians well as they prepare for trip to Haiti
Posted on 2/1/2010
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St. Alexius Medical Center is pleased to announce it has donated $10,000 to help volunteers in their relief efforts in Haiti. The money has been given to a non-profit group called Catholic Relief Services. Working closely with the United Nations, the organization was the first group to set up survivor camps after the deadly earthquake that struck on January 12.
“This money is urgent right now. Our donation is just one way that St. Alexius can reach out and extend our presence in Haiti,” says Sister Susan Lardy, Vice President of Mission Effectiveness at St. Alexius. “We’re committed to helping and serving our community families in their time of need, especially right now to those suffering in Haiti.”
St. Alexius employees have been making their own donations since the earthquake hit. To date, they have raised just more than $1400, which will also be sent to Catholic Relief Services.
Meanwhile, retired Bone & Joint Center physician Ray Gruby, MD, is set to leave for Haiti on February 6. The Orthopaedic Surgeon will be volunteering his services with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He will be teaming up with Dr. Cleary, an anesthesiologist at St. Alexius, and together they will be joining about a hundred other members who will be treating wounds and performing surgeries.
“There are hundreds of children dying every day because they’re not getting basic first-aid. I hope to help those who are injured by giving them the best care that I can offer,” says Dr. Gruby. But he says with that will come many challenges. There are very few basic supplies in the country, including gloves, sterile equipment and anesthetics. St. Alexius will be donating some of those necessary supplies for Dr. Gruby to take with him.