Bridge of Life Newsletter

FEBRUARY 2016

So far in 2016, Bridge of Life has ...

Completed 2 international medical missions
Hosted 2 domestic chronic kidney disease (CKD) screenings
Been supported by 13 Kidney Care and 5 HealthCare Partners teammate volunteers
Impacted 1,628 lives

Providing Primary Care in the Dominican Republic

Five HealthCare Partners and three Kidney Care teammates traveled with Bridge of Life (BOL) to Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic just a few days into the new year. Primary care services, including labs, vitals, examinations, and consultations, were provided to 433 individuals in underserved rural areas.

This was BOL's second mission in partnership with Timmy Global Health, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that strengthens the capacity of local health systems through short-term medical service programs and long-term health solutions.

"I think everyone representing Bridge of Life would agree that this has been an experience that they will remember always," said Kathleen Kasprzyk, RN, Kidney Care. "It has reminded me of how privileged we are in the U.S. and to always remain humble."

Interested in volunteering on an international primary care mission? Click here to view volunteer FAQs, additional information and to apply! Or contact [email protected].

Thank You 2015 Corporate Donors

Thank you to all of the corporations who supported BOL in 2015. BOL is grateful for these companies who care for our world and improve healthcare across the globe through in-kind donations, monetary support and Tour DaVita sponsorships.

For a list of corporate partners, click here. Is your company looking for a way to give back to the community? Become a corporate partner through sponsorship packages or by supporting a medical mission or screening event. Please contact Greta Walker at 303-876-0506 or [email protected] for more information.

Volunteers Screen for CKD in Guatemala

Eight DaVita Kidney Care teammates (two from Colombia and six from the United States) traveled to Guatemala with BOL and screened nearly 900 migrant workers for CKD at a banana plantation. Over 20 individuals were identified to have CKD and referred to a local clinic along with patients showing high-risk factors. BOL will meet regularly with clinical staff to receive updates on their patient care.

This was BOL's first mission in partnership with the University of Colorado Center for Global Health.

Sonya Cohee, LVN, Kidney Care, said, "The Guatemala Bridge of Life screening mission has been the most rewarding and humbling experience of my life. As a BOL contributor, it was great to finally see the organization in action. Thank you. I want to do another mission again and again!"

Consider applying for a domestic or international CKD screening event. Click here to find more volunteer information and applications, or contact [email protected].

APOLLO Physician Group

BOL would like to recognize the amazing 2015 members of APOLLO, a giving group of like-minded physicians who collectively donated $47,500 to support BOL's programs and help improve healthcare across the globe!

Interested in becoming a member of APOLLO? Click here for more information or contact Greta Walker at 303-876-0506 or [email protected].

Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad

Dr. Mark Shapiro

Dr. Randy Cooper

Dr. Rahul Prakash

Dr. P. Babu Sagireddy

Dr. Manjit S. Grewal

Dr. Sudhir Julka

Dr. Uma Varanasi

Dr. Harold J. Baer

Dr. Ghayas Habach

Dr. Emma B. Trejo

Dr. Fahd Al-Saghir

Dr. William Jennings

Dr. Manuel J. Moquete

Dr. John Robertson

Dr. Eben Feinstein

Dr. Maleah Grover-McKay

Dr. David Roer

Dr. Danijela Mataic

Upcoming Missions, Screenings & Kids' Camps

Medical Missions

CKD Screenings

AV Fistula Surgical

Jamaica

February 28 - March 4

Primary Care

Mao, Dominican Republic

March 5 - 13

Primary Care

Haiti

Dates are TBD

West Michigan's Women Expo

Grand Rapids, MI

March 11 - 13

NAFC C.A.R.E Clinic

Dallas, TX

April 9

Joint Screening with Primary Care Mission

Haiti

Dates are TBD

Kids' Camps Sessions

Victory Junction (North Carolina)

Sickle Cell/Bleeding Session

June 11 - 16

Diabetes Session

June 18 - 23

Heart/Lung/Kidney Session

July 16- 21

The Painted Turtle (California)

Kidney Disease & Transplant Session

June 18 - 24

Rheumatic Diseases Session

June 17 - July 3

Special Diagnoses Session

July 6 - 11

Flying Horse Farms (Ohio)

Heart Session

June 17 - 23

Siblings Session

August 6 - 12

Roundup River Ranch (Colorado)

Kidney Session

July 16 - 22

Kidney Family Session

September 9 - 11

Are You "Driven" to Make a Contribution?

Donations and gifts don't always have to be in the form of money!

If you have an old vehicle taking up space at your home, consider donating it to BOL through the CARS program. CARS will appraise your car's donation value, arrange for pick-up and directly coordinate any proceeds with BOL.

"When I realized I could get rid of my old car while making a great contribution to help others, it seemed like a no-brainer," said teammate Kathleen Nieman, Business Analyst. "Donating my car was convenient and hassle-free. Having CARS take my old vehicle off my hands was a simple but effective way of helping Bridge of Life and their work to improve healthcare across the globe. It was a win for everyone!"

Click here to learn more about the CARS program and check into donating your vehicle or contact [email protected].

BOL is a nonprofit organization founded by DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc. and operating under DaVita Village Trust, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. BOL improves access to primary care and dialysis treatment in underserved communities around the world while also focusing on prevention of kidney disease through early-detection testing and education. BOL serves thousands of men, women and children through four programs: kidney care, primary care, prevention and education, and kids' camps. For more information, please click here .

Bridge of Life | 888-374-8185 | BridgeOfLifeInternational.org

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