|
 | |
Our annual fundraiser is almost here!
Happening this Saturday, October 7th at Annandale Golf Club, festivities begin at 5 PM. The evening includes a walk on the red carpet, refreshing cocktails, a silent auction, updates on our 2023 mission to Tanzania, a preview of the 2024 mission to the Philippines, dancing, and more.
This year we honor Marilyn Dorr for her dedication to our organization. Marilyn was there during the building Operation Walk. She witnessed it grow from a small team based in Los Angeles to 20 teams strong across the United States, Canada, and Ireland. With her quiet strength, she helped Dr. Lawrence Dorr, Jeri Ward RN, and Mary Ellen Sieben RN construct the framework for an organization that has traveled to 25 countries and helped over 17,000 patients globally.
But our work continues…
Please join us for this unforgettable event. Every donation goes directly to changing lives through joint replacement surgery at no charge to our patients.
Unable to attend? You can still help us to reach our goal to restore mobility in 2024. Purchase tickets, donate today on our website or call us at (424) 465-3600.
| |
|
Many thanks to our Benefactors who are making the 2023 Gala possible. Your continuing commitment and support help us continue our mission.
Jean Hide Cohen
Bea and Paul Bennett
Kim and John Callaghan
Paula Paulus
Susan and Dickey Jones
Operation Walk Florida
Missy and Dave Hotchkins
Marilyn Dorr
Karen and Bob Porter
William T. Long
Cindy and Paul Gilbert
Shelly and John Kumar
Myna and Uri Herscher
Lisa and Nate Heckman
Bryan Chan
Maxine Anderson
Diane Saunders
| |
|
Ever want to own a piece of sport’s history? How about a one-of-a-kind piece of art? Maybe you’re into travel or music? We have an item for you.
Click below to view Silent Auction selections for our Annual Gala. Remember, you must be present to bid, and you must be present to win.
More questions? Our website has all the information you need to place your bid this upcoming Saturday night!
| |
|
Many thanks to our generous donors who provided these unique and exciting items:
Tommy Abrams
Paulina Andujo
Jill Baffert
Bea Bennett
Beam Suntory
Bongo Bay Studio
John Callaghan
Lisa Fujimoto-Yamaguchi
Inspirato
Trish Lindsey
Kathy and Rich Link
Mini Motorz
Manny Pacquiao
Jeri Ward
Sam Ward
| |
Online Auction: Manny Pacquiao’s Signed Boxing Trunks | |
|
Boxing fan? Sports lover? Acquire a part of boxing history with autographed boxing trunks personally owned and signed by the legendary eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao. These trunks were personally and graciously donated by Manny himself to support Operation Walk Los Angeles in raising funds for our upcoming mission trip to the Philippines. This one-of-a-kind item is custom framed, making them not only a coveted collectible for any fan but also a symbol of Manny’s partnership with OpWalk LA in restoring mobility for the people of the Philippines.
Your generous bid will have a direct impact on those in need, bringing us closer to achieving our mission in 2024. Don’t let this extraordinary opportunity pass you by. Place your bid now to own a symbol of boxing greatness. Please contribute to making a difference in the lives of others. Bids are placed in increments of $200.
| |
|
On August 14, 2023, Operation Walk Los Angeles team members OR nurse, Jocelyn (“JC”) Chow RN, and anesthesiologist, Dr. Jonathan Weiss had the pleasure and honor of taking care of 39-year-old Amina Msuya.
At the age of 9, Amina suffered a debilitating fracture. While walking to school, there was a tremendous flood in her village causing a rock to tumble down the hillside, colliding into her and damaging her right knee. Amina shared that her parents were unable to afford surgery to repair the damage and help was unavailable to her in Tanzania. The cost of the surgery alone was over $3500, an amount her family could not afford.
For the last 30 years, Amina has suffered debilitating pain, using the aid of a crutch to walk. As an elementary school teacher, responsible for children ages 7 to 10, and as a mother of 3 children of her own, day-to-day life was a challenge.
At the beginning of 2023, Amina was notified on a WhatsApp chat about a planned Operation Walk trip to Arusha in August. Amina and her husband traveled 2 days by bus to get x-rays and she was evaluated by local physicians at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. After her exam, she returned home and waited, hoping for a miracle.
| |
|
After 2 months, she received the good news. Amina was selected to return to the hospital for further examination and evaluation by the Operation Walk team. This exam would determine if she would be one of the fortunate few to receive life-changing knee replacement surgery.
Amina made her 2-day return journey to the hospital. After her evaluation, she was placed on the OR schedule for August 14.
We were fortunate to have the opportunity to visit her after surgery. Immediately post-op, she shared she was relieved of the crippling pain she had suffered for 30 years, beginning child, continuing through adulthood, and into motherhood.
We’ve stayed in touch with Amina through WhatsApp, and she continues to update us on her progress. She proudly reports that she possesses mobility she has not experienced for over 30 years and thought was possible. We will continue to stay in touch with her during this period of recovery and are so happy that we were able to be a small part of her experience with Operation Walk.
Jocelyn Chow RN and Dr. Jonathan Weiss
Operation Walk Los Angeles Volunteers
| |
Our volunteers are dedicated to restoring mobility around the world. They give up their vacation pay, time with loved ones, birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestone events to travel with our team. Here are some of their reasons. | |
|
|
|
Stacy Kelso
Getting to see patients walk for the first time. Knowing they are taking that first step into a new life before my eyes, that I am a part of it. That is my why.
| | | |
|
|
|
Dr. Dang Khoa Vo
It’s always a privilege and honor for me, not only to participate in the care of those less fortunate but to witness the profound impact of the small things we do that enhance someone else’s quality of life. My hope is to continue to contribute to the advancement of the field of Orthopaedics around the world.
| | | |
|
|
|
Paulina Andujo RN
This. These missions. This is the reason I became a nurse. It rejuvenates my spirit.
| | | |
|
|
|
Sam Ward
Most of us get more out of these mission trips than the patients do. That’s what I keep in mind. That’s why I keep coming back.
| | | |
Thoughts from first-time volunteer, Dr. Steve Owens, on his experience at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre and working with Operation Walk Los Angeles. | |
|
“First, many thanks to Dr. Paul Gilbert for inviting me on this mission. Thank you for your leadership, mentorship, and inspiration. Paul inspires me daily and I'm sure the feeling is mutual in this group. It takes a lot of work to organize a mission like this and I appreciate everyone’s efforts.
Operation Walk is a sense of community, a sense of family. I feel like the team got to know one another really well and I enjoyed that aspect of the trip immensely. The favorite part of this experience for me was getting to know my fellow surgeons, including Dr. Daniel from Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. To work side by side with colleagues here in Tanzania was amazing. When I started my practice, I never would have dreamed that I'd be operating in Africa. The experience has been beyond rewarding."
-Dr. Steve Owens
| |
|
In 2024 Operation Walk Los Angeles plans to return to the Philippines. Our first visit was in 2001 when our team replaced 38 joints, giving patients a new lease on life. It’s been over two decades since our team traveled to this beautiful country and we are excited by our anticipated return.
This past summer, our team leaders Lisa Fujimoto-Yamaguchi, Trish Lindsey, Eleanor Barrientos and William T. Long journeyed over 7,000 miles to meet with hospital staff, government officials, and former Filipino Senator and boxing legend, Manny Pacquiao to plan this mission.
Their three-day whirlwind trip yielded promising results. Our team forged a partnership with a local hospital, and we are now prepared to return to restore mobility next year.
Now more than ever, we need your support to continue our mission to restore mobility through joint replacement surgery. Your donation, no matter how big or small, goes directly to give our patients a new life.
| |
|
Many thanks to our amazing Gala volunteers.
Without your hard work and dedication, this event would not be possible.
Fernando Alfaro
Julie Anderson
Molly Anderson
Michelle Burdette
Yolee Casagrande
Corrine Clayton
Ruby Collins
Elaina Delgado
Talon Enochs
Glenda Flores
Lisa Fujimoto-Yamaguchi
Pauline Hess
Raquel Landsworth-Kleinhenz
Trish Lindsey
Marlene Keys
Erin Marlin
Anne Morris
Marion Moser
Pablo Ortega
Alissa Speidel
Ana Vasquez
Cami Ward
Jeri Ward
Sharron Whiteley
| |
|
Time Machine
First Mission to the Philippines
Looking back over two decades to our first mission to the Philippines. We love the tradition of the volunteer/patient photo!
Do you have a photo or memory to share about a past trip? Send your thoughts and images to cami@operationwalk.org and you could be featured in our next newsletter!
| | | | |
