We’re so excited, we just can’t hide it and we want you to join us for an extraordinary night! On October 7, 2023, Operation Walk will honor Marilyn Dorr for her work and dedication to our organization. Marilyn has been our #1 supporter for the past 27 years and has worked tirelessly to keep Dr. Dorr’s vision moving forward, serving people around the world. 

This special event promises to hold excitement, surprises, and more. Join us at Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena for updates on our latest mission to Arusha, Tanzania, a silent auction, a special message from World Boxing Champion, Manny Pacquiao, a tribute to Marilyn, dancing, and more. 

View our Silent Auction Items and purchase your tickets today! All proceeds go to fund our upcoming mission to the Philippines in 2024.  We can’t wait to see you there!

Questions? Feel free to call us at (424)558-8076 or (424) 465-3600, we're happy to help.

Audra Kenneday

Audra with the OR team. Last day of surgery

Operation Walk’s return to Tanzania was a huge success. We accomplished 49 joint replacements and changed lives forever. The immense gratitude that I have for this organization, the Tanzanian people, and the opportunity to provide anesthesia for this community, is truly unexplainable. Cheers to old and new friendships and the lives that are now connected through a little thing called kindness. 

Audra Kennedy CRNA

Pablo Ortega

Pablo Ortega with the team

This past week marked a heartfelt return to Tanzania after a decade and the atmosphere was nothing short of magical. The dedicated team from Operation Walk Los Angeles poured their hearts and souls into restoring mobility for individuals who had been waiting, sometimes for years, to walk freely again. More than 150 patients showed up asking for help.

This mission holds a special place in my heart as it's my fourth journey with this incredible medical team. Beyond just documenting the transformative stories of our patients, this time I also had the honor of being a part of the Operation Walk Los Angeles Angels donor group.

I'm blessed I am to be able to make a tangible difference in so many lives. The joy of seeing someone take their first steps after a long time is indescribable.

Pablo Ortega

Videographer

Paulette Labinpuno

Paulette and patient #93, Winfreda

What an unforgettable experience sharing a medical mission with my daughter Kaitlyn Martinez. We were able to provide care for those less fortunate and a total of 43 patients received knee and hip replacements. We loved taking care of our grateful patients and making new & everlasting friends with the entire Tanzanian hospital staff who welcomed us with open arms.

Paulette Labinpuno RN

One of our favorite parts about wrapping up a mission trip is to hear from our first-time volunteers. We like to discover how their experience with Operation Walk has resonated with them and how it has changed their perspective on their chosen field or volunteering. Here are two different takes on our Return to Tanzania.

Kristian Medina

I’m Kristian and I want to say that I had an amazing experience here in Tanzania and everyone made a huge impact on my life. I’d like to thank all of the surgeons who made me feel so comfortable in the OR, it was an honor to work with all of you. I also want to thank all of our orthopedic reps, you were running from room to room, making sure we were all good and taken care of. A special shout-out to Central Supply for hustling each day, making sure to turn over those trays so we could have what we needed for each surgery. You really helped us out.

This is my first time out of the country. It has been a long-time dream to help people all over the world so I want to show my appreciation to you, Dr. Gilbert, for allowing me to make this dream come true. This opportunity is much appreciated.



Kristian Medina

Ortho Tech

Mahera Jeevanjee

My name is Mahera Jeevanjee and I'm a Doctor of Physical Therapy/Physical Therapist. I've been on several medical missions in the past, had the opportunity to previously visit Tanzania, and know the people to be warm, caring and open.

Restoring mobility is every physical therapist’s core value and mission of the job. To be a part of such an amazing team, the incredible staff at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, the talented surgeons and to experience the gratitude of our patients has impacted me profoundly.

During this trip, we had patients walking post-op day 1 with a single crutch. That demonstrates the amazing outcomes of our surgeons, their teams and what was happening in the OR. I had a bilateral knee walk out on post-op day 2 and prior to her walk, she was sad because she did not think she would be able to walk for another month after surgery. She introduced me to her daughter, gave me her address, her phone number, a gift, and a bunch of follow-up emails and messages. This interaction goes to show the connection between us and our patients.

A special thank you to Kyle Baldwin for being a great team leader and welcoming me into the OpWalk family. Once again, thank you to Sam Ward and to Jeri for helping me make this mission a reality. I hope to be a part of this amazing team again in the future.

I volunteer to make my brief time on this planet count. I can’t think of a better way than to represent my profession and to get people back on their feet. 

Mahera Jeevanje DPT

What did you do during your summer vacation? If you were Cornell College juniors, Elinor Handlin and Samantha See, you traveled halfway around the world, spent twelve hours days at a hospital, and volunteered for a week-long medical mission that restored mobility through joint replacement surgery. 

Operation Walk has had a long-standing partnership with Cornell College and its pre-healthcare program, Dimensions. Cornell College being Dr. Dorr’s undergrad alma mater, he wanted to involve students at the ground level, experiencing healthcare in its truest form. These two incredible young women applied to the program and were rewarded with a week’s worth of hands-on learning, seeing each part of our organization in action.

Patient screening, unpacking and repacking cargo, warehouse organization, shadowing anesthesia, physical therapy, internal medicine, observing surgery, patient interaction, and documentation; these were all experiences both Sam and Elinor were able to experience firsthand. Both women are inspired to join the medical field, Elinor in orthotics, prosthesis research and development and Samantha in nursing. Here’s how this experience has inspired them:

“My first time off the North American continent, this experience has been really exciting. Meeting all of the people from Tanzania, who are all so welcoming and kind made a lasting impression on me. Getting to know the nurses, surgeons, physician assistants, the ortho techs, implant reps, people in the warehouse and the volunteers was amazing. They are incredible people who care so much about our patients and their families.

One of the highlights of my trip was working with the Physical Therapists during patient rehabilitation. They were awesome and I loved watching the patients take their first steps and grow in confidence with each round of therapy. I appreciate you all and give my thanks for letting me be a part of this mission.”

-Elinor Handlin

“I would like to start out by saying, thank you Dr. Dorr. Without him thinking back to his undergraduate education, neither Elinor nor I would be here for this mission. It’s really exciting that this opportunity was something he cared so passionately about.

Thank you to the team for being so welcoming to us both. I had an amazing experience and it was because of you. This mission was extremely rewarding and I hope I continue to do missions like this in the future.”

-Samantha See

Thank you both for taking a leap of faith, stepping outside of your comfort zones and hitting the ground running. Your enthusiasm and hard work inspired us all and made an impact on both patients and volunteers alike. Best of luck to you in your upcoming studies and futures.

Newly married and with a young son, Innocent looks forward to being able to play soccer with Nathan, take care of his wife, Pelgia, and get back to work so he can support his growing family. See his why…..

Watch the video to hear Julianna’s heartfelt message and how joint replacement surgery has given her a second chance in life.

Michelle Burdette RN-Plaster House

Before traveling back to Arusha, Tanzania for my fourth time, I put the call out to all my friends, family and coworkers for materials I could share with the local staff and charities. The response was overwhelming, I had to pack extra bags to take it all!

The majority of donations went to the Plaster House. This amazing organization gives children with disabilities the healthy and happy future they deserve. The transformational healing journey that occurs at their facilities provides a life-changing experience to the most vulnerable children in Tanzania. 

You can’t take pics of the actual facility but these are some of the amazing kids that were helped and thrilled by your donations. Look at all them coloring and having fun! I left coloring books, colored pencils, notebooks, toy cars, scratch pads, and more. I was also able to purchase a much-needed baby scale and some braslow tapes. If you want to support a good cause, follow their story on social media and help however you can!

No mission would be complete without expressing our gratitude to our Sponsors, Donors, Board Members, and Volunteers who gave their services, funds, time, and talents to make this trip possible. 

Thank you to each and every one of you who helped us to return to Tanzania and make a difference in our patients’ lives. They will never forget you and your generosity!