Two Upstate medical groups, totaling 70 volunteers, are headed to help relief efforts in Haiti. The groups are organized by First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg as part of Solid Rock Missions, with the help of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Palmetto Health Baptist Easley and Greenville Hospital System.
Dr. Claude Woollen, a surgeon and leader of the medical team, said the hospitals are providing needed medical supplies, while the employees have given thousands of their own money.
"Credit goes to the whole community that has really stepped up and is willing to give," said Woollen.
Woollen has volunteered for years at the clinic Solid Rock Missions established 15 years ago, but knows this time, the work will be much different.
"We're gonna see a tremendous amount of crush injuries," said Woollen. "The challenges are going to be to get our medical supplies down there in bulk that we need."
Woollen expects many trauma and infection cases as Haitians cross the boarder looking for help. He said this does take a mental toll on volunteers.
"When you see death and dying and you know that if they were in a state of the art health care system like we have here, you know you could save that patient. And that does happen."
But Woollen adds the entire team is prepared to save as many lives as they can.
"The things you need to expect is the unexpected- no doubt about that."
The first medical group leaves for the Dominican Republic January 30, the next on February 13. Both will stay a week, and the church has another group making the trip in July.
To donate, make checks payable to:
First Presbyterian Church
393 East Main Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302
Be sure to write on your check memo line that the donation is designated for "DR/ Haiti Mission."
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