URGENT REQUEST
MSNI in urgent need of surgical supplies for relief efforts in Haiti
By DENISE MASON CHAMBERS, GasserOnline Editor

MSNI has made an urgent request for surgical supplies to assist with relief efforts in Haiti. Said fellow Rotarian, Jack Maxwell, "We're doing everything we can to help with relief efforts in Haiti, and are able to do so because of the generosity of so many Rotarians. I have every confidence that generosity will continue."

Jack said MSNI is in urgent need of surgical supplies including:

• Surgical gowns, sheets, surgical gloves, exam gloves, and masks;
• Surgical instruments of any kind, needles, sutures, and syringes;
• Bandages, gauze, tape, band aids, cotton balls, and surgical Q-tips; and
• Splints, casting materials, and other things used in setting broken bones.

Rotarians should contact local hospitals and clinics to see if they have items they can spare, and then deliver these items as soon as possible to the MSNI warehouse at 1123 South Erie in Tulsa.

"We anticipate sending at least two containers to Hait as soon as we have the supplies," said Jack.

To date, Rotarians have donated more than $45,000, a portion of which has been used to purchase and send 200 Water Boxes to Haiti. MSNI director of operations Larry Biron said the Water Boxes will generate 1,014,000 pounds of water from polluted water — more than 504,000 16-oz. bottles. Larry is also exploring the purchase of two 40 ft. x 40 ft. portable clinics. Currently, only 11 portable clinics support the land-based and floating hospitals in operation in Haiti.

"It's now time to turn our attention to surgical supplies," said Jack. "We're doing a great job so far, but there is so much more to do."

In addition to surgical supplies, cash donations are also welcome. As a reminder, 100% of cash donations to MSNI will go to relief efforts.

POSTED: 01-23-10