Constructing a Life

This is originally from an email from our friends Brent and Catherine Bauer.  I hope Catherine doesn't mind me putting this up, but hopefully we can raise some much needed money for them.  Brent is a trained trauma orthopedic surgeon. 

Dear Friends,

As many of you may know, my husband Brent (BJ to some of you) is working in Haiti this week.  He has volunteered his time and skill to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center to help the survivors whose lives have been devastated by the recent earthquake.  Their need for medical supplies and equipment is great.  The University of Maryland Medical System and the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center are working to rebuild the St. Francois de Sales Hospital in Port-au-Price that was destroyed in the earthquake and they have committed to staffing the hospital with their own medical staff (orthopedic trauma surgeons, general trauma surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, etc.) for the next 6-8 months, at least.  As you might imagine, this is an incredible commitment since they are reducing their own medical staff at Shock Trauma Center by approximately 22 persons every single week for the next 6-8 months in order to to serve the people of Haiti and their overwhelming medical needs.  In the weeks following the earthquake, teams from Shock Trauma performed emergent treatment of life and limb-threatening injuries with limited supplies and resources.  As their ability to deliver care improves, they have the potential to prevent long-term disability in a large percentage of the Haitian population, but they have an urgent need for orthopedic implants and tools.

Many corporations and individuals are looking for ways to send their support to the people of Haiti and I am writing to solicit your help in supporting their effort.  If you would like to contribute, or if your church/company/organization is looking for ways to help Haiti, Brent and his fellow volunteers can certainly use your help.  

Brent arrived in Port-au-Prince on Saturday, February 20th with Team 4 from Shock Trauma. After learning about the conditions under which they are operating, I am determined to do what I can to provide them with the tools and equipment they need to continue the great work they are doing there.  Any contribution you can make will go a long way toward helping them obtain what they need to fulfill their commitment to the people of Haiti.  They are attempting to raise $23,000 this week alone in order to purchase some orthopedic equipment that is essential to the operations they need to perform. If the people of Haiti do not undergo these surgeries, they will be permanently disabled and therefore unable to work to support their families.  There is only a small window of time in which to perform these surgeries before their patients lose function of their limbs and their injuries become permanent disabilities.  The future of their nation depends on their ability to overcome these injuries and rejoin the workforce.  With the proper equipment, Brent and his colleagues will be able to effectively treat hundreds and thousands of injured Haitians, which will give their patients the best possible chance at having a complete, functional recovery.  

To make an immediate contribution online, you can make a credit card contribution directly at https://www.ummsfoundation.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=469 

If you want to learn more about the efforts of the Shock Trauma team in Haiti, visit the following links:
http://www.umm.edu/videos/trauma_care/misc_haiti_pollak.htm
http://www.umm.edu/videos/trauma_care/misc_scalea.htm
http://www.umm.edu/videos/trauma_care/misc_haiti_briefing.htm