What started as a dream became a reality as 40 dedicated volunteers traveled to Mali in January on Medical Missions Foundation (MMF) first mission to Africa.

Were there obstacles?  You bet.  Did the mission leadership team of dynamic duo Josh and Josie Uecker and Dr. Tammy Neblock-Beirne persevere?  Of course they did.  MMF shipped a 40ft. container of mostly donated supplies to equip four operating rooms which previously stood empty.

Prior to MMF’s arrival to Ouelessebougou, the hospitals were unable to serve the community due to a lack of equipment and supplies.  As Josie Uecker stated, “If ever there was an Extreme Makeover Hospital Edition, this was it”.

Over 1,600 patients were seen in the clinic with an additional 122 surgical cases.  Over $1,604,000 worth of goods and services were donated in one week.  The amount of hope that was instilled into this community by the MMF volunteers cannot be measured. A special thanks to all of our donors who made this and all of our missions possible.

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It was all for the children as our valued sponsors and over 500 MMF supporters came together for a spectacular evening on February 7th.  Under the leadership of Stacy Parkinson, David Brinkerhoff and Dan Meiners, critical mission funds were raised through the fabulous live and silent auction items acquired by committee members Sarah Strnad and Ursula Terrasi.

Our very own Elizabeth Alex and Dr. Tammy Neblock-Beirne were honored for their outstanding volunteer service within Medical Missions Foundation and Dennis and Stephene Moore, RN, jointly received the Humanitarian Award for Community Leadership in Philanthropy. If you missed Art for the Children 2009, you will not want to miss Art for the Children 2010 already scheduled for February 6, 2010.

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