Knights of Columbus and Project Medishare Host a Media Open House for 'Healing Haiti's Children'

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the one year anniversary of the devastating Haitian earthquake approaches, every child who lost an arm or leg in that calamity has the hope for a more normal life thanks to a program sponsored by the

Knights of Columbus and run by Project Medishare.

Representatives from Project Medishare and the Knights of Columbus – as well as child amputees who have benefited from the program – will be available on January 10 from 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM to answer questions from the media at the Hospital Bernard MEVs Project Medishare. Media coverage and photographers are all welcome.

Bernard MEVS Project Medishare Hospital:

Every child who suffered an amputation as a result of the earthquake is eligible for the “Healing Haiti’s Children” program and can receive prosthetic care with rehab for at least two years without cost from the Knights of Columbus and Project Medishare.

“We are honored to be able to give the important gift of hope to the children of Haiti. It is rare to be able to give a gift that changes a life forever.  Providing mobility does just that, for few things can change a child’s life as completely as the ability to regain freedom of movement,” said Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.

“Project Medishare is proud of its partnership with the Knights of Columbus which has allowed us to launch hundreds of Haitian children from wheelchairs to standing up and facing the many challenges of their devastated nation. Unfortunately each one of these growing precious child amputees requires two or three new legs each year, which makes it essential to continue this life and limb saving project,” said Dr. Barth Green, founder of Project Medishare.

More than 100 children have already been fitted with prostheses and have begun therapy, while hundreds more will soon receive a prosthetic through the program.

The Knights of Columbus is one of the most active charitable organizations in the United States and internationally, and has committed more than $1 million to the program. In addition, last year alone the Knights donated more than $151 million and 69 million hours to charity worldwide.

In June 2010, just five months after the earthquake, Project Medishare transitioned its operations out of its tent hospital and into Hospital Bernard Mevs.  Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare is a 50 bed trauma, critical care, rehabilitation hospital in Port-au-Prince.  The hospital accommodates a busy inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation program complete with a prosthesis lab and an outpatient clinic which provides general healthcare to the people of Haiti.

SOURCE Knights of Columbus