January 22, 2008

Last February, two Halton Region’s Paramedics, Grant Rumford and Glen Canavan, members of Local 207, joined FTC Canada’s medical team for one week of medical service to 1,752 people living in the slums near San Pedro Sula, Honduras – travelling for five days with FTC’s mobile medical clinics.

Most of the people treated had no access to primary healthcare. Grant Rumford says, “It was unbelievable to see children with very treatable things like parasites, skin infections, and malnutrition who had never seen a medical professional.” During their stay, both paramedics dispensed more than medical care – they brought smiles, hugs, and hope to hurting children living in desperate poverty.

For FTC’s trip to Guatemala next month, Rumford and Canavan will be joined by Christine Barber, Manager of Support Services for Halton EMS. She says, “After seeing pictures and hearing about how well organized these FTC medical trips are, I am thrilled to have a spot on the team, and the opportunity to contribute to the medical needs of children suffering in Central America.”

Glen Canavan has been a Paramedic for 36 years and Grant Rumford has been a Paramedic for 16 years. For their part, Rumford and Canavan say they hope to travel to developing countries – bringing medical care to children, “At least once a year”.

FTC also supports 16 feeding centres in Guatemala where hundreds of children receive hot meals every single week.

The Guatemala medical team is excited with the addition of a dentist and a dental assistant for this trip, and they anticipate treating more than 3500 people in five of Guatemala City’s poorest communities from February 25 to 29.

For more information about FTC Canada’s medical teams visit their blog.

http://ftccanadateams.blogspot.com/ 

About FTC Canada:

FTC Canada, in partnership with caring Canadians, responds to the needs of children and their families, in Canada and around the world, by providing food, medicine, education and other essentials with Christian love, compassion and integrity. Last year, FTC distributed $3 million in gifts-in-kind to 8 countries. Within Canada, FTC distributed an additional $2.6 million to over 80 partner agencies. This included family food boxes, shipments to First Nation Reserves in Northern Ontario, and support of many domestic food programs through food banks and other agencies – providing a safety net for impoverished families needing help to feed their children. FTC Canada is affiliated with Feed The Children U.S.

FTC Canada

Media Contact: John Matthews

Director, Donor Development john@ftccanada.org 

1-877-823-0777 ext. 228

www.ftccanada.org 

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Information on FTC Canada

http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=wp2_homepage