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FROM THE DESK OF
Executive Director, Dan Mauer
November 2024
Happy November, everyone — and welcome to the latest edition of our monthly newsletter, Mission Matters!
Although our missions are done for the year, we are already putting things into motion for the Philippines in February, San Lucas Toliman in April, Antigua in July and Gulu in September. Complete 2025 mission schedule later in this issue.
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Volunteer Spotlight
We have so many dedicated volunteers here at Medical Missions Foundation, their commitment to the people we serve is overwhelming.
Each month, we want to focus on a volunteer that has continued to make an impact in bringing "Health for the World."
This month's Volunteer Spotlight is well-known in the Medical Missions Foundation community and has been with us for many years... Rachel Gunderson.
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How did you first learn about Medical Missions Foundation and what got you involved the first time?
I heard about Medical Missions Foundation from a nurse (Denise Veraguth) who worked in the same day care unit of the hospital which I was working in. She had heard there was going to be a mission to Ecuador through Medical Missions Foundation and she knew that I had lived there with my family for a year, and that I spoke Spanish.
She asked me if I would be interested in going on that mission. That was in 2010. I said yes, and joined Bev and Lee Graves who were the coordinators for that mission. It was my first Medical Missions Foundation mission and I loved it! I spent the week in the clinic with Bev Graves (pediatrician) as I was studying at the time for my family nurse practitioner degree.
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What missions have you been involved with?
I have been involved on the Ecuador mission and with San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala where I have returned yearly and more often since 2014.
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What is a most memorable experience during one of the missions?
Probably the most memorable experience during one of these missions was when we had all returned back to the hotel one evening and received a call after supper that a young woman (17) was in the emergency room with what the doctor thought was appendicitis.
We returned to the hospital to do an emergency appendectomy and found that her intestines were filled with worms. She did indeed have appendicitis, but not from the usual cause.
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Why do you volunteer?
I volunteer because I have seen the global need for healthcare and the number of people who cannot receive the healthcare that they need.
I believe that we were created to serve God by serving others and this is one of the ways in which to do so.
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What advice would you give someone considering joining a mission?
I would tell someone considering joining a mission to have flexibility. I would also remind them that this is not about us. It is about the community and people that we are going to serve and the need that is there.
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Any last thoughts or comments you want to add?
I love working with my fellow volunteers at Medical Mission Foundation of Kansas City. I do feel like everyone has a desire to help others and to bring about positive change in this world.
| Volunteering with Medical Missions Foundation can be a rewarding and life-changing experience. No matter if you have medical experience or not, we'd love to have you join us. | |
Warehouse Cleanup Day
Last One of 2024
| Our Warehouse Cleanup Days are now held on the second Saturday of each month. Please join us Saturday, November 9th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at our office (8363 Melrose Dr., Lenexa, KS 66214) for Warehouse Cleanup Day. We always have a lot of fun, so come by and pitch in! | |
Also, if you'd like to help us make sure we've got what we need for upcoming missions—click here to see a list of needed items. Before donating supplies, please contact Sulamita Ortiz, Missions Assistant, to make arrangements, or call 913-338-0343. Thank you!
By the way, do you know any students who need volunteer hours? Medical Missions Foundation will put them to work!
| Giving Tuesday, December 3rd | |
After Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, is our favorite holiday... GivingTuesday!
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
Join the movement and give to Medical Missions Foundation, whether it’s some of your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your local community.
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With the holidays coming up, what do you get your favorite Medical Missions Foundation supporter? Well of course you get them some Med Missions swag.
Watch for soon to come announcement of our complete line of t-shirts, golf shoe bags, golf towels, notebooks, and of course, our signature bright orange luggage tags. All available with a donation to Medical Missions Foundation.
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Keep up to date on all our events by going to the calendar page of our website.
- Warehouse Day - November 9
- The Philippines Mission - February 13-23, 2025
- Art for the Children Art Auction & Gala - March 29, 2025
- San Lucas, Guatemala Mission - April 5-13, 2025
- Antigua, Guatemala Mission - July 12-20, 2025
- Health for the Littles - July 20, 2025
- Gulu, Uganda Mission - September 5-15, 2025
All of what we do is made possible through donations from generous patrons like you. Please consider making a donation today so we can continue providing much needed healthcare to children and families.
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As we all celebrate Thanksgiving this month, and we reflect upon all the things we are thankful for, I want to take the time to thank you, our volunteers, benefactors and supporters. Because of you, we are able to provide "Health for the World." THANK YOU!
Well, that about covers it for today. Look for a brand new issue of Mission Matters on the first Friday of every month! In the meantime our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages are active and a great place to catch all the very latest news and information about Medical Missions Foundation — so stay tuned and be sure to check back regularly! And please feel free to contact me directly with questions, concerns, or to find out more about upcoming missions, events, and fundraisers.
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Dan Mauer
Executive Director
Medical Missions Foundation
8363 Melrose Drive
Lenexa, KS 66214
p: 913-338-0343
dan@medicalmissionsfoundation.org
| At Medical Missions Foundation, we send dedicated teams of doctors, nurses, and support staff around the world to provide surgical and medical care in the most underserved global communities. Since 1996, Medical Missions Foundation has completed missions to 14 different countries including Uganda, India and Guatemala. | In any given year, over 200 volunteers travel to different missions, performing over 500 surgical procedures and drastically improving countless lives. We believe that health for the world is possible but we need your help. | |
*all photos of patients and their families are posted with permission.
I'd once again like to take a moment to thank all of you who signed up for our new Missions Maker program. From Uganda to Guatamala, your generous donations are improving the lives of countless people around the world. Thank you!
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“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
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About us
We believe that Health for the World is possible. Because of that, Medical Missions Foundation sends teams of doctors, nurses, and support staff to provide surgical and medical care to underserved communities around the world. All medical mission participants are volunteers dedicating their time and talents to provide critical care. More about our missions.
Where we work
Since 1996, Medical Missions Foundation has completed missions in 14 different countries: India | Guatemala | Mali | Philippines | Uganda | Romania | Ecuador | Mexico | Cuba | Vietnam | Croatia | Panama | China | United States. Click here to learn more.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide surgical and medical care in underserved communities throughout the world and to positively impact the lives of children and their families. Click here to learn more.
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| Copyright © 2024 by D.E.Uhlig. All rights reserved. |
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