Medical Mission - The Philippines!

Last winter while I was recovering from a couple of foot surgeries, Tom flew south - WAY south - to The Philippines where he pursued his long-time dream to do a medical mission. His experience was so positive and rewarding that he encouraged me to participate in the effort this year.

We joined forces once again with International Surgical Missions (ISM), a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Paul Radway in 2005. Based in Pueblo, Colorado, ISM's mission is "To provide opportunities for volunteer personnel to contribute surgical care in third-world countries. To support those mission trips by raising funds. To share those experiences with the community." The organization has mounted missions to Honduras and has contacts in Ecuador and Guatemala. We became part of a 28-person team that comprised ISM's 6th trip to The Philippines.

Mission participants each contribute $2500 to cover airfare, lodging and some of the necessary medical supplies. Over the years the organization has acquired instruments, cautery machines, portable anesthesia machines, etc., but fund raising is critical to underwrite a host of consumable items, such as dressings, medications, surgical gloves, etc. Dedicated to international service, our Rotary Club of Coeur d'Alene contributed $4000 to the cause which was gratefully received and carefully used by ISM.

With my hepatitis, typhoid and tetanus shots properly injected, I was ready to pack my bag and share an experience that has had Tom on fire for the past 12 months.