Pharmacists Giving Back
Part of living the ultimate life as a pharmacist, both personally & professionally is about giving back.
We will be sharing opportunities for you to give back to health & wellness-related causes, as well as other worthy causes & programs. You may participate in different levels, whether it’s your personal connection, time, or monetary contribution to help out with projects.
This month’s “Giving Back” spotlight:
Pharmacists: Help with Haiti Relief Efforts
Estimates put the death toll of the Haitian earthquake at over 200,000 with as many as 3 million now being left homeless. When the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck, the country was left devastated. The epicenter of the quake was just off the capital Port-au-Prince with the majority of buildings collapsing due to poor structural design and construction.
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world with many people living on less than $2 a day and has seen its fair share of natural disasters over the last decade. Floods and tropical storms in 2004 caused widespread flooding and landslides. Again, in 2007 a tropical storm triggered floods and mudslides and in 2008, three hurricanes caused more damaged and claimed more lives.
When seeing the photo galleries on the internet and the nightly news reports on TV, it’s devastating to see the despair and heartache that the Haitian people are once again going through.
As pharmacists, we have a unique opportunity to help. Here are 3 ways to help:
1. Volunteer at earthquake relief aid centers in the Dominican Republic. Pharmacists are currently needed for 2-week assignments at aid centers in the Dominican Republic which will help refugees and victims of last weeks earthquake in Haiti.
How: Email Kathleen Kelly of the Global Action Foundation at kathy@jkdskelly.com: name, date of birth, gender, passport (if U.S. citizen) or alien card number, e-mail address, telephone number, specialty, length of
time available, and possible departure and return dates. Call her at (610)608-8460 for more details.
2. Let us know how you want to help. A physician I know is involved with organizing efforts both immediate & long-term. If you wish to help with providing resources/supplies, want to take a trip there to help, assist with obtaining pharmaceutical/non-pharmaceutical supplies, and more–share your preferences by clicking below.
How: Fill out form below to share how you prefer to help. You will be contacted about opportunities to help.
Pharmacists: Help with Haiti Relief Efforts
3. Donate to relief organizations (ANY amount helps). These organizations are currently on the ground in Haiti trying to ease some of the suffering and help in the rebuilding of the country. Even if you are on a tight budget, keep in mind that $10 goes a long way. If you help out with what you can and forward this website to your friend, it will all add up to help the relief efforts.
Doctors Without Borders-Support Medical Teams that Help with Relief
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
Help with their Emergency Relief Fund. Doctors Without Borders has been working in Haiti for 19 years, operating three emergency hospitals in Port-au-Prince recently. They were able to assist with a large emergency response to the earthquake.
World Vision-Provide Relief Supplies or Sponsor a Child in Haiti
http://www.worldvision.org/
Help distribute life-saving relief supplies, including food, clean water, blankets, and tents–to children and families devastated by the earthquake & aftershocks in Haiti by providing a donation. You could also sponsor a child in Haiti to assist with clean water, healthcare, education, food, and more for $35/mo.
Examples of what your contribution can help with:
Donate PUR Water Packets $20
Delivery of Supplies to Haiti $75
Family Survival Kits $100
Red Cross-Haiti Relief & Development Fund
Contribute to the Haiti Relief & Development Fund, which helps with disaster relief and recovery efforts. American Red Cross pledged an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by the earthquake immediately after the disaster. You are welcome to make your gift in honor or memory of someone special.
You can text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross relief for Haiti.
Remember, any part in the Haiti Relief efforts helps! Pharmacists, let’s get involved!
