An area non-profit volunteer medical service group is looking to educate people on their mission. Operation Walk Syracuse helps give free surgical treatments to patients in developing countries and here in the United States. Brad Vivacqua has details on this.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The group is made up of folks who mainly work in the medical field locally, but volunteer their time and efforts to help patients in need of surgery. This non-profit group is now up to 13 chapters across the United States including the chapter in Syracuse.
Operation Walk teams have performed knee and hip replacement surgeries on patients in Russia, Cuba, and China and other parts of the world. The group generally travels once a year for 7 to 10 days and performs about 80 joint replacements on patients that lack medical care access.
The group continues to look for more volunteers but also depend on donations through the year to help with travel and equipment. Current volunteers say the experience is very rewarding.
"In order to sustain our organization, we rely heavily on fundraisers, donations from people, and donations from our own volunteers," said Operation Walk Syracuse Clinical Director Kimberley Murray.
"To be able to actually give back and help other people, is very important and makes you feel good. You get back and it's a complete life changer," said Operation Walk Syracuse Social Media Specialist Adam McLoughlin.
Operation Walk Syracuse was started in 2010 locally by Doctors Seth and Brett Greenky. The group returned from Guatemala about a month ago and is planning a trip to Ghana next year. More people are encouraged to get involved with the effort.
And for more information or to help -- head to the Operation Walk Syracuse website.