|
|
There are so many Dynasplint colleagues walking, running, and riding to honor or support those whose lives have been affected by cancer. This weekend, in our own Corporate back yard, Rachael Morrell, Michelle Ross and Erin Baker all participated in Relay for Life at Anne Arundel Community College.
Rachael reports: “This past weekend my family and I participated in the 2010 Relay for Life. We walk for our Grandfather, Thomas Hare who was taken by Cancer in 1990. We also walk for our Grandmother, Thelma. She is a cancer survivor and is also currently a cancer patient. It is a very small but very important cause that brings our family together every year to try to make a difference.”
Michelle Ross relates, “ In 2007 my Fiancé at the time was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma Cancer. After a year and a half battle with cancer. He spent the first year going through Chemotherapy and the last six months going through Chemotherapy and radiation. His story doesn’t have a happy ending, He passed away in 2007. I have seen firsthand what Cancer can do to a person, and never want that to happen to anybody else. I am walking the Relay for Life this year to find a cure and the end of cancer! “ Happily, they won the best banner award and the rookie team who raised the most money- $4592.00. Well done, Ladies!!
Time to join with Nashville, TN Dynasplint Ankle and Foot sales consultant, Anne Gilmore to help the flood recovery. The challenge is on: $10 for every DSI colleague to “Hands on Nashville” Hit the link and then Donate and let’s do that thing we long to do- restore people, business and life the way it ought to be.
 Shawna Walsh, Jarret Gonzalez, Young Chung Regional Sales Manager Danielle Howarth experienced what is was like to work as a team to provide dinner for Ronald McDonald House when she got together in New Orleans with the Neurological managers. So she turned right around and assembled some of her own New England team members and volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Boston. They made chili, nachos and brownies for the families and patients who stay there while receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital and had a great time supporting the community.
Who’s next?
 Ronald McDonald House When families have traveled many miles to receive specialized medical care, looking for temporary accommodations in an unfamiliar place only adds to their stress and anxiety. The Ronald McDonald House of New Orleans not only offers them a place to stay, but a built-in support system where families help each other. Together, they face and overcome some of the most trying times in their lives.
These children and their families have come from 63 out of 64 parishes in Louisiana, many states across the country and all over the world.
When our Neurological Managers came together for their meeting in January, they were surprised with a group building exercise that would be fun and help families of children experiencing serious illness at Ronald McDonald House. They were given ingredients, aprons, no recipes and set loose in the kitchen to prepare dinner. Click the title below to have a look at how beautifully they did:
The House That Love Built
DSI colleagues are always looking to dig in, find a need and provide help. Dynasplint Sales Support Representative, Ken P. coordinated a drive to collect gently used crutches. Eleven sets of crutches were collected and delivered to Johns Hopkins which was then sent to those needing assistance in Haiti.
Way to go DSI colleagues! We raised a grand total (with DSI match included) of $10,740 for Doctors Without Borders. Doctors Without Borders is a medical humanitarian organization that was started by doctors and journalists in 1971. This organization fled to Haiti to assist in providing aid to those suffering from the massive devastation. They are averaging 30 operations each day and still very busy. The injuries have changed from earthquake wounds to now more health related issues. Support and funds from companies and colleagues like DSI is still very much needed. It is nice to know that we can play a part in supporting such a great organization that is reaching the people of Haiti and making a positive impact.
Images of the devastation in Haiti from the earthquake have touched all of our hearts and we are anxious to help. We have chosen to donate to “Doctors Without Borders” with their relief efforts. Doctors Without Borders, (www.doctorswithoutborders.org) primary concern at the moment is the overwhelming numbers of people who need immediate treatment and major surgery. An team is beginning to work in the operating theater of a major public hospital in the capital’s Cite Soleil district, while other staff are trying to identify additional medical structures that remain intact.
An inflatable MSF field hospital, equipped with two operating theatres, is expected to arrive by air in the next 24 hours. Crucial personnel, including surgeons and anesthetists, and supplementary stocks of medical supplies are on the way as well.
George has committed to Dynasplint matching the first $10,000 raised by our colleagues and families. You may donate in two ways. You may either donate online at http://www.firstgiving.com/dynasplint or please make your contribution check out to Doctors Without Borders, and in the memo write Haiti Earthquake Response and send to Corp, att: Suzi Pitts. We will tally all of the donations and Dynasplint will match. Let’s try to raise all of the $10,000 and be able to send $20,000 to the relief effort.
 Karen and George Hepburn in the donor chair As we enter into the month of December we look forward to celebrations and time spent with family. Unfortunately, for many local families, the Holidays will be spent in a hospital or with a sick loved one. One of the greatest gifts this season is to be a blood donor. Every year, millions of lives are saved by blood transfusions, and the only source of this life-saving resource is people!
Blood donations typically drop during the holidays due to busy schedules, while the need remains constant. This can make the supply vulnerable to shortage. The American Red Cross needs approximately 1000 units of blood each day to meet the needs of patients and hospitals in our area. An accident victim can use as much as 100 units of blood, a liver transplant patient can use 10-20 units, premature babies, pregnant mothers and those with chronic diseases such as sickle cell disease all depend on a safe and adequate blood supply. Each whole blood donation can touch the lives of up to THREE patients.
Last week Dynasplint colleagues became part of the solution by hosting our very own American Red Cross blood drive. Thanks to each donor, it was a huge success as we collected 38 units and saved at least 144 lives.
Santa’s elves in Patti Lentz’s Dynasplint Medicare PAR group have been busy collecting hats, gloves, socks, etc for the North County Emergency Outreach Network (NEON.)
If you are in the holiday spirit and would like to add to the tree, bring in your donation to the “Upstairs PAR” suite on Monday or Tuesday.
See you all at the party at 4:00 at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club!!
 Colleen and Kevin working out On September 26, Colleen King, CT&T consultant for Maryland, Delaware and Southern Pennsylvania, recently challenged herself to participate in “Fight Gone Bad” a grueling Crossfit workout . Fight Gone Bad was a nationwide effort to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Over 5,000 athletes participated and Fight Gone Bad raised more than $1 million to aid servicemen and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Colleen was the top fund raiser in her gym. The Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of honoring and empowering wounded warriors.
|
|
