Haiti 2008

The time table for this years mission is March 5-15. We will be embarking on our second annual humanitarian trip to Haiti sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church in Pell Lake. Our group consists of several medical practioners, a doctor, nurse clinician, paramedics and a pharmacist along with several religious missionaries. This year the returning North Shore Fire Department members are Jon Holcomb, Brian Sullivan and myself (Peter Brierton). We travel to a clinic 120 miles Southwest of Port Au Prince in an area called Basin Caymi. This clinic has been in existence about 7 years and in that amount of time the returning people have noticed a definite improvement in the general health of the populace. Last year we treated almost 800 in 4 days for things as mundane as headaches and back pain to such deadly diseases as cholera, malaria, dysentery and AIDS. Haiti has the highest AIDS rate in the western hemisphere, almost 8% of the total population has AIDS. Most do not have access to the meds that can stabilize and hold it at bay ensuring a better quality of life. The mission group I am part of provides the only access to health care for this region of Haiti for the entire year. We also did minor surgeries, numerous scabies baths, bug and larva removal from ears. The larger medical issues that we could not remedy were sent for referrals to other medical organizations. This costs money and the amount that we raise through donations goes to help pay for this additional treatment that we cannot provide at our level and location. We donate our time and talent but we rely on donations to give us the chance to help these people. Each mission member has to raise $1600 to cover our travel and lodging costs. Let me assure you, there are no luxuries. Our meals are meager but sustaining and the work days average 14-16 hours in the clinic. Any monetary help that you can provide is truly appreciated, what ever we don't raise through donations comes out of our own pockets.

Please contribute to our Haiti fund by sending checks only to:

North Shore Fire/Rescue Foundation
4401 W. River Lane
Brown Deer, WI 53223

Include a note indicating funds to be used for Haiti.

Thank you for making this humanitarian mission possible!