$19,500 Raised for Catholic Medical Mission Board Relief in Haiti

02/04/2010

When 16-year-old high school student Billy McCue first heard about the devastating earthquake  that struck one of the world’s poorest nations, he said the entire student body at Christian Brothers Academy pulled together to help immediately.  “That’s what we do here,” said McCue.  “We try to help others.”

The student body at this independent, all-boys academy looked inside their hearts – and reached into their very own pockets – to donate money to the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) whose 14 staff members in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel were miraculously not affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12.

Regrettably the same can not be said for the 3 million people who live in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas.

CMMB has been working in Haiti since 1912 when an anesthesiologist from a New York City hospital went on a mission as a volunteer to help lepers. The organization never left and has continued to serve the citizens of the country which is 80% Catholic.

Last year, CMMB sent 77 shipments of donated medicines and medical supplies valued at over $64 million dollars to help those in need and deployed 240 long-and short-term healthcare volunteers to Haiti in the last year.  They are currently on the ground in Port-au-Prince assisting in treating earthquake survivors by supplying medical volunteers, medicines, and supplies.

Christian Brothers Academy junior Tyler DeBoer, 17, described the student’s fundraising initiative as a “Dress Down Day” whereby students forgo the typical dress shirt and tie regulation for more youth-friendly attire. 

 Though students participated in the fundraiser by dressing down, DeBoer acknowledged that it is naturally within each CBA student to want to give back.  “At CBA we want to help as many people as possible…it’s just a good thing for the sake of helping others.” he said.

Paul Maguire is the regional representative for CMMB who was presented with a check by members of the CBA student body and administration on Thursday in the amount of $19,500.  Describing the young men’s desire to be actively involved in the relief efforts and charitable initiatives he said, “They have expressed the basic Christian mission of helping others who are not as fortunate.”

Maguire said the collected funds will be utilized to purchase a medical kit that contains essential medicines, surgical supplies, and everyday first aid equipment that are designed to specifically treat 10,000 people over a 3 month period.

“If you break those numbers down,” said Maguire, “the cost is about two cents per person a day.”

During this time of emergency relief in Haiti, CMMB describes their presence as “in great need” now that the organization is dealing with the problem of homeless and displaced persons – the exact need the CBA funded medical kit was designed to treat.

CBA President Brother Frank Byrne, FSC witnessed his students’ compassion for the people of Haiti through their school wide participation and individual giving towards the fund.  Acknowledging the school’s strong tenets in service for others he said, “Reaching out to the needs of the poor and those in need of basic necessities is central to the life and mission of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers.  It is a testimony to the commitment to the principles of Lasallian education among our students, alumni and their families that is reflected in the level of generosity we see expressed here today.”

For more information about Catholic Medical Mission Board or how to donate visit www.CMMB.org.