Donation Requests, 2011 edition

It's that time...shilling for donations.You guys were great last time with your generous donations of everything from cash to snacks to clothing to supplies. This year I'm focusing on medical and other equipment for the clinic, since a lot of the personal items donated last year I can bring again this year.

Things in Haiti still need your help. I appreciate everyone's donations, large and small. And thanks in advance!

Medical equipment for clinic use:

• Ace elastic wraps (4 inch and 6 inch): this is the biggest need.  These are used to shape a persons residual limb (aka stump) so they can get fitted for a prosthesis.  This is the first step in getting a person with an amputation at limb.  Very essential, and is short supply!
• Stump shrinkers, especially for transfemoral amputees (all sizes): Used to shape the residual limb and to pad the skin so the prosthesis doesn't rub it and make blisters.  Very needed, but if you don't work in medicine, hard to find.
• Latex-free gloves: large or extra large.  These are always needed!

Everyday stuff for use at the clinic:

• Cheap panty house (any size or color): these are used in the fabrication of the prostheses. They can be used, but can't have any runs (or only one small one), otherwise they don't work right. 
• Zip-lock bags (quart and gallon size)
• Men's briefs (sizes med & large
• Women's underwear (sizes 6 & 7) 

Donations to for me to use at the clinic:

• Scrubs (XL preferred, any color except white): this is what I wear to work in.  I left mine there last year for other staff and patients to use, and don't expect any in stock for me.  I will again leave these at the clinic on my departure for the Haitian staff and patients to use. 
• Electrolyte gel (Clif Bloks preferred): these saved me when I was sick during last year's trip.  Easy to eat when you don't feel well, loaded with electrolytes which deplete fast with the heat/humidity, and tasty.
• Cheap ballpoint pens (black ink preferred): To use and leave at the clinic. No one can ever have enough pens.  Heck, send me some with your company name/logo and be famous in Haiti!

Donations to support the costs of room, board, translation services, and transportation costs:

• I'm again funding myself to the East Coast.  Any monetary donation would fund travel from NYC to Haiti, my on the group transport in Haiti, room/board, and translation assistance at the clinic.  New this year, your donation through Medical Teams International is tax-deductible!  It goes to fund my costs, but goes through them so you can write it off!  If I raise more money than my costs, they will save it for my trip next year!  Click this link to donate to help with my costs! Just click my name, and voila!

Donating supplies?  You can drop them off outside my office door at the SMU campus or email me and I'll send you my address so you can mail them to me.  Remember, I am departing on July 13, so donations should be to my by July 11 if possible so I have time to pack them all up!


I'm doing the 'Blog Roll of Fame' again this year, so join those who've already made generous donations and get your name in lights on the internets!  Thanks again!

I leave in less than a month? What?!

Less than 1 month until I leave for 4 weeks in Haiti. I've been shamefully neglectful of this blog, and also shamefully neglectful in doing other preparatory stuff like raising funds, gathering donations, and even making sure I've got all I need.  I can't tell if I'm a) procrastinating, b) really busy, c) jaded as this is my second trip in 2 years, or d) in denial.  And no, e) all of the above is NOT an option.  Or at least I hope it's not an option!

I did make my trek to the travel doctor this last weekend.  Nice to know I am all caught up on my immunizations (I even have a few years left before I need boosters for some of them!).  I got my prescriptions for anti-malarials and some antibiotics so I don't have to deplete the limited supplies at either of my host hospitals.  Self-sufficiency is a must!  My health insurance has changed a bit from last year, especially my prescription coverage, so it will be interesting to see how the costs differ.  I still find it a bit maddening that some of these drugs and immunizations are covered (the malarials are to a point, and the flu shot) while others I am responsible for (like Hep A immunizations).  I understand travel isn't necessary, but you'd think some of this would benefit my insurance, as I will be certainly cheaper to cover if I'm NOT sick. 

I was pleased to hear last week from Advantage Haiti and Medical Teams International (MTI) that there are 2 other PTs arrving into Port au Prince the same day as I am, so we can all 'carpool' in the taptap out to Cayes together.  One travel-related piece of lonlieness resolved!  I'm also excited since that means there will be others in the clinic & guesthouse while I'm there (at least that first week)! 

On my to do list:

1. Contact MTI/Advantage Haiti to get list of donations they are in need of, forward to students/faculty/staff at SMU to see if I can get donations.
2. Find myself scrubs!  I left all my scrubs there last year, so I find myself scrub-less, so to speak.
3. Stock up on power bars, electrolyte gel, and other snacks to pack.
4. Start inventory of my supplies to figure out what I even need to get!
5. Post here more regularly!

And today's Haiti-related link, I saw this on KevinMD's blog today...music & health in Haiti.