Helping Haiti

UPDATE (9:58am, Monday, February 1): With enrollment fees from January, including a maximum matching donation of $25,000 from Healthworks, the total raised so far by the Healthworks community is $79,209. 

UPDATE (7:41pm, Friday, January 29): An update from Paul Farmer

UPDATE (10:58pm, Thursday, January 28): An update from Suzanne Battit, Director of Development for Partners in Health

UPDATE (9:16pm, Tuesday, January 26): An update from Cate Oswald, Program Manager for Psychosocial Support and Mental Health, Haiti.

UPDATE (5:24pm, Monday, January 25): "Boston businesses lend Haiti a hand." Read about Healthworks' efforts in the Boston Business Journal.  

UPDATE (12:28pm, Monday, January 25): "Rising to meet an infinite need. Partners in Health, long a force in Haiti, vaults into central role." Read the complete story on Boston.com.

UPDATE (8:42am, Monday, January 25):  A total of $77,714 has been raised by the Healthworks community for Haiti.  This includes enrollment fees from new memberships in January and Healthworks' matching contribution total of $25,000.

UPDATE (8:29am, Monday, January 25): "Building Back Better," PIH co-founder Paul Farmer penned this op-ed.

UPDATE (3:22pm, Friday, January 22):  A total of $73,029 has been raised by the Healthworks community for Haiti.

UPDATE (12:59pm, Friday, January 22):  An update from Ali Lutz, Haiti Program Director from PIH.

UPDATE (2:16pm, Thursday, January 21):  We are $500 away from $70,000 donated. 

UPDATE (2:01pm, Thursday, January 21): IMEC in North Andover needs your help!  They will be sorting, packing, and shipping medical supplies to Haiti.  Click here for more information. Contact hkempski@healthworksfitness.com if you would like to meet up with other Healthworks members to volunteer.

UPDATE (1:07pm, Thursday, January 21):  Aftershock.  More than 1500 miles from the epicenter of the Haitian quake, its effects rippled through Boston's teeming Haitian community.  Read the article in the Boston Phoenix.

UPDATE (4:35pm, Wednesday, January 20): The Healthworks community has raised a total of $68,573.  Please continue to donate. We are diligently working to find other matching partners.

"We arrived at Cange, in the Central Plateau, the heart of operations for Partners In Health/Zamni Lasante, yesterday. As we expected, things are incredibly busy. People are still arriving from Port-au-Prince. Those who have been fortunate enough to survive their injuries this long are now running into complications of wound infections, some of which have turned septic, and venous blood clots (from immobility and trauma). Patients have completely filled the hospital and we have set up makeshift wards in a nearby church and school. Both surgical and non-surgical personnel are working tirelessly.... The Haitian medical staff of Partners In Health/Zamni Lasante and survivors of the quake are working with unimaginable valor and dedication. Many of them have lost members of their own families. And yet they remain here, working tirelessly to provide care for others. They are the true heroes. Those of us fortunate enough to be here to contribute to the immediate relief efforts labor by their side with complete humility. We are in awe of their strength, compassion and dedication." Dr. Jon Crocker, from Cange, Haiti

UPDATE (9:26am, Wednesday, January 20): Healthworks is increasing it's matching contribution to a total of $25,000.  So far, with Healthworks matching contribution and donations from members and partners, we've raised a total of $65,000 for Haiti. 

"The situation in the country remains dire: tens of thousands of earthquake survivors still need emergency surgical care.  Our medical director has estimated that 20,000 people are dying each day who could be saved by surgery. The death toll and the incidence of gangrene and other deadly infections will continue to rise unless a massive effort is made to open and staff more operating rooms and to deliver essential equipment and supplies -- from alcohol for sterilization to anesthesia machines, from suture to autoclaves. Transport to bring patients to hospitals is also urgently needed, including helicopters to airlift them to the hospital ship that should soon be anchored at Port-au-Prince if it has not arrived already." - Susan Sayer, PIH

"All I can say after today is my heart is crying for Haiti. Tonight, everywhere in the city, as we drove through the national plaza, there are thousands of people sleeping outside. While I was in PAP there were still aftershocks being felt...it's really serious destruction and loss of life." - PIH Staff Member in Haiti

UPDATE (11:24am, Tuesday, January 19):  Healthworks' efforts in the Boston Herald.

UPDATE (9:51am, Tuesday, January 19):  Over 410 donors have contributed $40,085 to PIH via Healthworks for Haiti relief.  Healthworks will be matching $20,000 of this amount.  We are currently seeking partners to match all funds donated over $20,000.  Please check back for the most current updates. 

UPDATE (10:49pm, Monday, January 18): Read an update from PIH Chief Program Director

UPDATE (5:20pm, Monday, January 18):  Read a full update from PIH.

UPDATE (10:30am, Monday, January 18):  The Healthworks community has donated over $35,000 for the relief efforts in Haiti.  Healthworks is currently attempting to find corporate partners or organizations who are willing to match above the Healthworks matching contribution of $20,000.  For more information, please contact Mark at mharrington@healthworksfitness.com.

At Healthworks, all of our hearts go out to Haiti in their time of crisis, and to those in our membership community impacted by the devastation. The Healthworks family cares deeply for those suffering, and is especially mindful of our Foundation membership communities in Dorchester that have a strong Haitian representation.

Healthworks staff and members have carefully researched and vetted beneficiary options to find a reputable, responsible, and efficient organization, which reflects the Healthworks Foundation's mission to support women and children. Healthworks will donate all enrollment fees for the remainder of January to the Haitian relief fund via Partners in Health (http://pih.org/). Also, we will match all additional donations from members and staff for a maximum total contribution of $20,000.

Partners in Health has served over one million patients in hospitals and clinics last year in Haiti. They have been assessing the situation in Haiti over the past 18 hours and have already begun to a strategy to address the immediate need for emergency medical care in Port-au-Prince.

The greatest need for Partners in Health to continue their important, life-saving work is financial support. The next few days are essential to saving lives in the devastated country. Healthworks Members, please help us raise money and make a tax deductible donation to Partners in Health. In order for us to match your donation, please forward a copy of your acknowledgement email to healthworks@healthworksfitness.com. You may also donate via cash or check at any Healthworks location.

The Healthworks team would like to thank our many members who have contacted us and supported our desire to provide disaster relief. Again, we extend our most sincere sympathy to those in our membership community, as well as their family and friends, who have been impacted by the devastation.