Guatemala Medical Relief Update

Jake Thompson, Kane X-ray’s CEO, and his wife Stephanie were part of a team with HELPS International that staffed a hospital in the highland areas of Guatemala for 7 days this past February.  The medical/surgical team performed 161 surgeries and attended 1,453 patients.  The construction team impacted over 350 people in the community by installing stoves and water purification systems to prevent respiratory and water-borne illnesses.  This team, a combination 70 medical and non-medical personnel from Michigan, Florida, and Maryland, was 1 of 12 teams sent to Guatemala each year to help change lives through HELPS International.

HELPS is a major healthcare provider for the country of Guatemala.  Over 60% of the people in Guatemala live below the poverty line.  For most a visit to a HELPS staffed hospital is their only chance of healthcare.  

Stephanie, a surgical nurse, focused her efforts with the team from Annapolis specializing in correcting pediatric strabismus – more commonly known as crossed eyes.  A father of a surgical patient the team saw told them he had been out of work for months and had no money to help his son, but because they were there his son could finally see straight.  “He thanked us for coming.  We’re so glad we went,” said Jake.

Steph and Jake were humbled that they were allowed to go and help the beautiful people of Guatemala.  They’re grateful to their friends and family that gave financially, donated baked goods for the bake sale, and their church small group who donated school supplies for the school they visited.  “We’re home now but a piece of our heart is still in Guatemala.  We brought them healthcare, but they gave us community,” said Steph.

Kane X-ray is currently working on a project to deliver x-ray imaging to a hospital in Rio Hondo, Guatemala.

For more information on HELPS International visit www.helpsintl.org.