Susan Thomas works at Upstate University Hospital, but travels to Guatemala to help those in poverty several times a year. 

Thomas volunteers at a medical clinic for the week, assisting doctors for about 90 surgeries. Those include bladder repairs, hernia corrections, cleft lip, palate reconstruction and more. 

Thomas leaves Feburary 8 for her eighth trip in only two years, and she's looking forward to this one.

"It makes you feel like you've done something to change somebody's life, and that's what nursing is," Thomas said. "It's about changing people or helping them get through a crisis area."

Thomas is also collecting supplies such as clothes and personal care items to donate.

You can drop items off at Upstate Hospital University Community Campus or donate to Health Talents International.