Dr. Paul Gilbert and Dr. Roberto Balmaseda during our pre-trip in July

Our mission to Cuba is still scheduled to start on November 7th. The trip was put in serious jeopardy a couple of weeks ago due to a nationwide power outage with failure of Cuban power grid. Significant fuel shortages, aging infrastructure and weather were the culprit. There was noted hardship to the people of Cuba, but as is their nature, they got through it and power has been restored.

Our hospital in Havana has backup generators and never lost power or services to their patients. Our team is reassured that they are ready for us and many patients are anxious for surgery. Our group is slightly smaller but we will rally together to get as many surgeries done as possible. 

I am so inspired by all the staff who have recommitted to the mission despite the difficulties. The Operation Walk spirit is strong. Some are staying behind so as not to add strain to the countries resources. We greatly appreciate these volunteers as well. 

The team is looking forward to a successful mission and doing some good for the people of Cuba. Thank you to all our supporters and those who follow us on social media!

Dr. Paul Gilbert

It’s officially time for OpWalk Cuba! 

Our team is currently gearing up to travel to Havana to change lives through the gift of mobility. We wanted to give a huge thanks to BARCO for their generosity in donating scrubs for the entire team and to NEXT SCIENCE for donating surgical irrigation fluid for the OR. 

The generosity of our donors and sponsors is the reason we have the privilege and opportunity to help change the lives of so many. And for that, we are beyond grateful.

-Roshy Korsand

Donations Coordinator

A sisterhood of philanthropy, the Operation Walk Los Angeles Angels are united by a vision of working to ensure Operation Walk’s mission of restoring mobility is a success. 58 active members strong, Angels give of their time, talents and funds to ensure each patient is taken care of to the fullest extent. 

This year, these remarkable women have assisted in loading and unloading cargo, sterilizing instruments, documenting patient records, facilitating supply organization, assembling discharge and patient care bags, arranging volunteer room and board and transportation, arranging for patient transport, holding fundraisers, standing as team leaders, and financially supported two missions. 

We have seven Angels traveling with us to Cuba, but we carry the strength, conviction and compassion of our 51 sisters who will be supporting us from home. Our ranks include team leaders, nurses, doctors, physician assistants, and supply and information specialists. We can’t wait to share our personal stories and the stories of our patients. 

Thank you, Angels, for giving your heart and soul to our organization and for being there for the big and small moments in each patient’s journey. A smile, an embrace, a gentle word of encouragement-all these acts are immeasurable contributions to our mission to restore mobility.

If you would like to join us in changing lives, please click on the link below for more information.

Dr. Dickey Jones during patient screening-Nicaragua 2015

I volunteered for my first Operation Walk trip after I retired from the military. There in Nicaragua, Dr Dickey Jones, a long-time supporter of OpWalk, took me under his wing and taught me how to support the mission. After the last day of surgery was complete, he encouraged me to get into the business of medicine and pointed me toward a new career as an Orthopedic Rep.

Years later, I had the pleasure of going to Cuba with Dr. Jones. After another long day of surgery, I asked him why he took a chance and recommended me for a new job. Dr. Jones embodied the true spirit of Operation Walk when he gave his answer. He told me that he knew I would take pride in my work and that I was trainable. Coming from a legend in joint reconstruction and a former Army officer, his response gave me pride.

Dr. Jones is Operation Walk's spiritual leader. He is always teaching and improving people. His leadership style was formed in the military, and it has endured by encouraging the team to accomplish the task no matter how difficult. Dr. Jones' mentorship has resulted in countless team members furthering their education and even becoming surgeons.

A trip to relieve pain and restore mobility in Cuba does not seem like it would have any similarities to a military operation until you look at the two missions closely. A group of highly motivated strangers bonded by a shared goal and led by people who want to improve the world. Thank you, Operation Walk, for inviting me. Thank you, Dr. Jones, for taking a chance on me and for making the world a better place.

-Charlie Ward

Continuing our series of thoughts from first-time volunteers, we are happy to introduce you to Arnelys Alvarez, RN. Arnelys shares her “why” with us and is ready to help patients take that first step into a new life on our upcoming mission to Havana.

“With almost two decades of nursing experience, the majority of which has been dedicated to Critical Care, participating in medical missions has long been a dream of mine. 

The opportunity to provide essential medical support to those in need and witness the transformative power of recovery fills me with immense joy and fulfillment. As I prepare to embark on this journey with Operation Walk Los Angeles in November, knowing the impact we will make together, I am filled with hopeful anticipation.”

-Nelly Alvarez RN

Jeff Yates, The Bank Tavern of Billings

Our first Ozarks Poker Tournament was held on October 20, in Nixa, Missouri. Both Charlie and I have been invested in Operation Walk since 2008 and wanted to share the mission of OpWalk LA with our friends and neighbors here in southwestern Missouri.

With the help of two local businessmen, Jeff Yates owner of the Bank Tavern in Billings and Marc Backes owner of The Ozarks Event Center in Nixa, we were able to put together a tournament hosting 30 players, held a Raffle featuring items from Cuba, the host country for our upcoming mission, and raised $6,500 to support two patients through joint replacement surgery.

Marc Backes, Ozarks Event Center

We cannot thank Marc enough for hosting the event and making everything work seamlessly. An equal thank you to Jeff for helping to see and support our vision of a fundraiser that involved locals from the area, for helping advertise both the tournament and raffle and for sponsoring a table. 

Special recognition to Deborah and Charles Hedin and Martha and Tim Rosse for donating their Sunday to volunteer at the tournament and insure everything ran smoothly. Last but not least, a special shout-out to first-time donors and local supporters for showing us the generosity and warmth of southwest Missouri.

Local Volunteers Tim Rosse, Charles Hedin, Deborah Hedin, and Martha Rosse

Please see the list below for all sponsors and supporters. Thank you to each and every person; with your help, we were able to celebrate our organization, share its mission, and raise money to restore mobility.

-Cami Ward

Social Media Manager

Operation Walk Los Angeles

Sponsors

Dr. John Callaghan

Marilyn Dorr

Steven Lawson

Charlie Ward

JW Fiber Group INC

Dr. John Kumar

Dr. William Long

Dr. Chris Morrison

Mary Ellen Sieben

Jeri Ward

Sam Ward

Events to Make Space for on Your Calendar

In the upcoming months we will have opportunities to join together, share stories, and support Operation Walk and its mission to #ChangeLivesin25.

Below are two signature events you won’t want to miss. One is virtual, and the other will be in person. We hope you all join us for both fundraisers and continue to help us change lives, one surgery at a time.

#GivingTuesday 2024

Together we GIVE

Imagine not being able to go to work, hold your child, clean your home, shop for necessities or even tie your own shoes. How would limited movement change your life? The life of your family?

More than 350 million people globally are afflicted by arthritis. Many are unable to receive treatment or much-needed joint replacement surgery. Arthritis is not a fatal disease, but one that wears away at your entire being. It affects your joints, your muscles, and your mental health. Left unchecked, it can lead to weight gain and immobility, which opens the door to diseases such as diabetes and heart and pulmonary diseases.

Operation Walk Los Angeles is committed to helping those who don’t have access to life-changing hip and knee replacement surgery. But we can’t do it alone. 

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that helps to support non-profit organizations around the world. This year the event will be held on December 3rd. We ask that our volunteers, donors, and supporters come together on this day to help make our 2024 mission a reality.

Ways to donate:

1. Use our QR code below
2. Donate through our Facebook and Instagram pages
3. Visit our website
4. Call our office at (424) 465-3600
5. Mail your check to:

Operation Walk Los Angeles:

Operation Walk
1014 South Westlake Blvd Unit 14-1313
Westlake Village, CA 91361

During this holiday season, there are many opportunities to give. We’re thankful for your consideration and donations to our mission. Together, we can restore mobility and change lives with one surgery at a time.

Operation Walk Gala

Spring 2025

Please save the date for our next in-person fundraiser, the 2025 Operation Walk Gala. After much consideration, our board has decided to change our gala date now and in the future to the spring since September and October are such extremely busy months.

You will receive a proper invitation early in 2025 for this premier event, so in the meantime, please mark your calendars for May 3, 2025, at Annandale Golf Club. 

We’ve completed an amazing trip to the Philippines and have one more trip this month to Cuba. We can’t wait to share updates and success stories from these missions and, together, look ahead to see what is in store for Operation Walk Los Angeles in the future.

This month’s Time Machine thinks back to that first mission. Twenty-eight years ago, an idea formed in Dr. Lawrence D. Dorr’s mind to take a team of surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, and a supporting cast to CIMEQ in Havana, Cuba. With the cooperation of the staff there, Operation Walk was able to complete its first mission, replacing 45 joints in patients who desperately needed our help for a second chance at life.

Flash forward to 2024. Operation Walk Los Angeles has completed nine missions at three separate hospitals in Havana. In total, we have replaced almost 500 joints and helped patients from all parts of the island, different ages, and different walks of life. Many of these patients return to see us during our prior-patient clinic and let us know their successes as well as their setbacks. There is a reason that former executive director, Jeri Ward, calls Cuba “Operation Walk’s second home.” Because to us, it is like returning home to family.

Do you have a photo or memory to share about a past trip? Send your thoughts and images to cami@operationwalk.org and you could be featured in our next newsletter!