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Back at the Hillel, this meeting was filled with wonderful surprises. The first, PP Tom Barron being stumped! Tom Baron for the life of him could not guess why President Steve brought a pint size watermelon to Rotary. He volunteered $25.00 if anyone could illuminate him. Yes, Tom it is National Watermelon Day everyone said so PP Tom paid $25.00 for the watermelon.
The second wonderful surprise, PP Marsha Hunt shared with us her most recent trip to Ukraine with pictures and commentary. We were all moved to hear how many people throughout the free world are sending aid to Ukraine. Ukrainians are joining Rotary at a record pace as they are seeing firsthand the power of Rotary. PP Marsha’s pictures showed stunning churches and she commented on how similar the capital is to many European cities. PP Marsha brought with her to Ukraine, 50 prosthetic hands and somehow was able to get them through customs. She talked about a state-of-the-art superhuman hospital focusing on victims of war who have lost a limb. PP Marsha also delivered financing for specialty canes to be purchased again for injuries sustained due to war. PP Marsha’s report was timely and reminded us all how tragic war is. Thank you, PP Marsha!
Then there was the main speaker of the day. Alan Dias is a member and past president of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians (IFFR) fellow member PP Peter More introduced him. Alan Dias talked about the Air Care Alliance with IFFR.
There are 1,000 Rotary pilots participating in flying patients who for either economic example or other reasons are unable to travel to an airport to be flown commercial for medical treatment. These Rotarians volunteer their time and pay the expenses to fly individuals such as these to hospitals where they need to go. For example, Tommy has cancer and lives 800 miles away from his doctor. He and his family do not have the means to fly or drive to receive medical attention. That is when the Air Care Alliance steps in. The alliance is specifically for patients who must receive medical attention but lack the means on their own to be transported.
To qualify the person needs to be ambulatory, willing to travel and, must request a flight from ACA. They will also need to sign a medical release and a waiver of liability.
Alan knew PP and WVRC member Sean McMillan and, the two of them worked together. Some of our members have participated and many have served as drivers to patients in getting them to the airport and, to their doctors once they have landed.
IFFR recently sponsored a flight in a single engine plane around the world to encourage and support the end to polio which took 90 days. Their goal was to raise $10,000.00. To date they have raised nearly $2,000,000.00.
Thank you, Alan for a wonderful presentation. President Steve in true fashion forgot Alan’s speaker gift at home and will now have to drive it to an airport when Alan flies back into town!!
Special shout-out to Chris Bradford for leading the pledge, Nanci Cohen for greeting everyone and, PP Steve Scherer for his very thoughtful “Thought of the Day” about being remembered for what you gave.
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