Electronic Newsletter: April 2023

Table of Contents Lessons from the Easter Bunny Annual Angel Luncheon April 26, 2023. Angel Membership Renewal Time. Please join us for Friendship, Fashion, Food, and Fun Prizes! RSVP to Ava@operationwalk.org Waiting for Their Angel, is it you? Angel Silent Auction Item... You'll want this for sure! Meet Angel Nurse & Artist, Marion Graeber, RN A note from Operation Walk's Board Chairman, Dr. John Callaghan Tanzania Then and Now 2012 to 2023 SAVE the Date-- October 7 the Annual Operation Walk Oktoberfest Gala. Lessons from the Easter Bunny

-Don't put all your eggs in one basket -Everyone needs a friend who is all ears -There is no such thing as too many sweets -All work and no play makes us a basket case -Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits -Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans -Good things come in small sugar coated packages -The grass is always greener where you water it -The best things in life are soft and sweet

Angels on Earth Join us on Wednesday April 26 Annual Angel Luncheon Featuring Food, Fun, Fashion, & Prizes! Guest Speakers: Dr. John Callaghan, Chairman of the Board Dr. William Long, Medical Director

Calling All Angels Angels and their guests are invited to attend a lovely luncheon at Annandale Golf Club. Wednesday April 26, 11am-1pm. Guest Speakers, A Cabi Fashion Show, Raffle prizes & a Special Live Auction Item.  RSVP to Ava@operationwalk.org or call Marion at (424) 558-8076.

Waiting for Their Miracle: Will you be their Angel? Nearly every day, our inboxes contain many requests for surgery.  From mothers and fathers unable to support their families, to children watching their parents suffer in pain.  These requests come from all over the world.  Here are just a few requests…. I am currently 24 years old; I was born with Rheumatoid Arthritis. My hips are very worn out by my own illness and the medications that I have taken, mainly the steroid Prednisone, and I really need your help for my situation that makes me very sad and in pain and unable to walk. -Shakira Cuba I'll wait for you I can't stand the pain in my knee anymore. -Bertha Nicaragua I am a teacher and need a hip replacement. As I love my students and love to impart my knowledge, I really need to be mobile so I can get back to my normal life. -Denise Guyana Please Miss Ava, help me, I can't walk, please find anyone to help me. I will take a bus from Uganda to Tanzania. Will your doctors help me? -Mary Uganda These people are waiting for their miracle.  Each dollar donated to Operation Walk allows us to help those who need it the most, whether it is half-way around the world or here at home.

This is HOPE

One-Of-A-Kind Silent Auction Item Bidding Opens April 1st-- No Fooling This one of a kind Operation Walk Angel Painting from Ireland's Operation Walk Team Nurse: Marion Graeber This hand painting can be yours! Size is 28" High 14" Wide STARTING BID $500.00 email Jeri@Operationwalk.org to place your bid. Online Bidding Closes on April 24 Good Luck!

Introducing "Hope" and the artist who is behind her creation, Marion Graeber.   Marion, a former volunteer, joined us on our trip to Honduras in 2016. Marion is from Australia. “I felt very honoured when one of our surgeons asked me to join his team to participate with Operation Walk in Honduras. The trip changed my life. I was deeply impressed with how efficient and passionate the American team worked. I wouldn’t hesitate a second to join OpWalk.”   Beyond her career as a nurse, Marion is a skilled artist. Her inspiration?  “I feel inspired by nature, by the intense colors and magnificent light of this land, particularly the South West of WA. This is reflected in my paintings, searching to create a deeper connection with the viewer.” We’re honored to have her complete a commissioned painting for our upcoming Angel Luncheon.  Her vibrant colors and passion for capturing the heart and soul of her subjects matches well with our mission to restore mobility and hope. Stay tuned for more information on how you can have a chance to call this beautiful painting your own.  To learn more about Marion please visit her gallery at http://www.mg-art.gallery/.

A Note from Operation Walk's Chairman of the Board, Dr. John Callaghan

Dr. John Callaghan & the late Dr. Larry Dorr

Starting out of the Blocks Fast! We haven't lost a Step! It has been over two years since the unexpected passing of Lawrence D. Dorr, MD, founder of Operation Walk. Dr. Dorr founded Operation Walk in 1994 to provide free joint replacements for people in underserved countries around the globe and in the United States. He started a movement with Operation Walk Los Angeles that has grown to over twenty chapters through the United States, Canada, and Ireland. Operation Walk has provided over 15,000 joint replacements to underserved patients.  Dr. Dorr and I started a relationship in 1984 where initially he was my mentor, then trusted colleague, and very soon after that, a dear friend. I was able to watch him firsthand create Operation Walk LA. His skills not only as a gifted surgeon who pioneered efficient, safe and innovated joint replacement with excellent reported outcomes, but also as a tremendous leader and organizer in all the United States joint replacement organizations; the US Hip Society, US Knee Society and, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons were used to create his brain child Operation Walk which he had envisioned. He and his veteran team led by Jeri Ward and Mary Ellen Sieben developed a process that has been replicated across the country and internationally because of their diligent development of how to succeed with such a daunting process of delivering high quality care of a difficult technology, joint replacement surgery, which had never been performed in these countries. Many times when the founder of an organization dies the organization dies on the vine. Marilyn Dorr and I always knew in the back of our minds that if Dr. Dorr would ever have an untimely death, I would step in and make sure Dr. Dorr’s legacy would endure into perpetuity. Everything was so well organized by Dr. Dorr, the well-oiled machine led by Jeri Ward and Mary Ellen Sieben and now Ava Baldwin as our awesome administrator, a diligent board, led by Dr. Paul Gilbert, and most importantly all of you, Operation Walk's loyal and generous donors over so many years. I can honestly assure you, we have not missed a step.  Even when Covid hit we were planning on how we would execute our first trip to Guatemala in 2021, our second trip to Cuba in 2022 and now are preparing to go to Tanzania in August of 2023.  Our preparation allowed us to accomplish our missions safely and efficiently in Guatemala and Cuba and anticipate the same in Tanzania. We continue to have strong support from our Angels (Luncheon on April 26) and our Gala (Oct. 7 this year) which have been successful even in the Covid crises. As other humanitarian organizations have had to fold or markedly decrease their efforts, Operation Walk LA has not missed a step! The spirit of Dr. Lawrence Dorr will continue to carry on especially with all our loyal donors’ support. Our one request is that you talk with your friends to join us in continuing the mission to provide free hip & knee replacements to those underserved populations around the globe and at home. Sincerely, John J. Callaghan, MD

John J. Callaghan, MD, FAOA, the Lawrence and Marilyn Dorr Chair Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of the Department of Orthopaedics and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa, was recognized for his personal achievement and broad contribution to orthopaedics with the 2020 Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics Award. An acknowledged leader both nationally and internationally, Dr. Callaghan has extensively contributed to the areas of orthopaedic education and research. He has led as principle investigator of grants from OREF, the National Institutes of Health, and the Veterans Administration.    His extensive leadership roles have included Secretary for The American Orthopaedic Association, ABOS officer, President for the International Hip Society, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the Hip Society, the Knee Society, the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, and the Iowa Orthopaedic Society. Dr. Callaghan is the recipient of numerous awards, including The American Orthopaedic Association’s Distinguished Clinician Educator Award in 2013.   During his virtual acceptance speech, Dr. Callaghan acknowledged the mentors who have advised and guided him along the way. He reflected upon a common question over the course of his career: why he decided to spend the time, energy, and passion contributing to various organizations across the orthopaedic profession. “The answer is simple,” he explained. “We are privileged to practice in one of the most innovative and dynamic areas of medicine in general and surgery, specifically. To maintain that position and to advance our field even further requires continual pursuit of research and education.”

TANZANIA Then & Now 2012 and 2023

Operation Walk Team and patients at Arusha Lutheran Medical Center in 2012. The team and patients are displaying signs to thank generous Operation Walk Corporate Sponsors. If you have access or wish to make a contribution to cover the costs of: soft goods, medicines, implants, airline tickets, cargo shipping, printing, and/or meals. Please contact: Ava@operationwalk.org  It takes a village!

2012 Operation Walk Team

OR COORDINATOR: TRISH LINDSEY, RN; HAPPY TO BE AN ANGEL The Team is Ready! 50 patients will receive life- changing surgeries in Arusha, Tanzania in August 2023. They are currently being screened by the surgeons in Tanzania. With technology, they can share the X-rays in real time with our doctors here at home. Thanks to our awesome volunteers, the preparations for ONE mission take about 9-12 months!

Tanzanian Pre- trip Impressions Tanzania is the home to over 61 million people whose monthly income is less than $158.00. The people are warm, friendly, and hardworking. Many homes have no electricity and few have running water. The idea of having a joint replacement surgery would be a true dream come true ( & you all can help make that a reality!) The hospital is adequate, but our team will need to bring everything from antibiotics to head lamps (the lighting is very dim). Our team is highly experience and is excited to help the great people of Tanzania. MARY ELLEN & DR. GILBET SURVEY THE OR IN TANZANIA 2023 (above) BRIAN MARSHALL, ZIMMER-BIOMETIMPANT REP (below)

STACY KELSO, CARGO VOLUNTEER JULIE ANDERSON, NURSE TEAM LEADER How does everything get to Tanzania? Our Dedicated Nurses: Mary Ellen Sieben &Trish Lindsey with the help of our awesome volunteers Stacy Kelso & Brian Marshall & our Medical Directors: Drs Gilbert, Kumar & Long spend hours making cargo lists, procuring goods, and packing everything in moving tubs ready to ship to Africa. This team lives the Mission ! DRS. OTIENO, KIBURA & GILBERT IN TANZANIA 2023 #TEAMWORK Jennifer Okuno, DPT

SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 7, 2023 GET READY TO PARTY !

Are you passionate about event helping the poor and the most underserved in our world? Do you like helping to plan events and fundraise? If so, Operation Walk is looking for volunteers to help plan our Annual Gala on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena. Operation Walk's medical missions are possible thanks to our annual fundraisers: The Angels' Luncheon on Wednesday, April 26th & the Annual Gala in the fall, October 7th and our generous donors. Volunteers who join the committee will help make important decisions about maximizing our fundraising efforts and ensuring all guests have a wonderful time at the event. The theme this year is: a Family- Friendly OKTOBERFEST--it's sure to be an evening of merriment and success. All are welcome. If you are interested in joining the Gala Committee, please email Ava Baldwin, at Ava@operationwalk.org

Music and Polka-dancing lessons Beer Stein Holding Contest Bavarian Cuisine prepared by Annandale Chefs Prizes for BEST Oktoberfest dress Volunteers & guests really know how to celebrate!

"Winning"....We ALL win when we help those in need. Thank you for reading and subscribing to this newsletter, tell a friend about us!

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