An Athlone-based pharmacy is using a direct link to earthquake-stricken Haiti to ensure vital medical supplies are delivered to those who need them most.
During the coming week, McGorisks pharmacies at Athlone Towncentre, The Crescent, and John Broderick Street will be collecting donations instore which will go directly towards the cost of flying medical and surgical supplies from the US to a team of doctors in Haiti.
The initiative is the branchild of Galway-based pharmacist Shane Howard, whose uncle, Fr Vincent Kelly, is parish priest in St John the Baptist Parish, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Fr Kelly is leading a very strong effort in flying out medical supplies and doctors directly into Haiti, just an hour and a half’s flight away, on a bi-weekly basis.
All money donated at McGorisks will be used to buy medical supplies which will be delivered to Haiti within days, with no administration or travel costs incurred. Donations will be lodged directly into the St John the Baptist Church (Fort Lauderdale ) account, which will be used solely for medical supplies for Haiti.
The parish is working in conjunction with the University of Miami Medical School, which is providing the doctors. The parish is purchasing the supplies in Florida according to the specific needs of the doctors and is organising planes to get everything out to the medical teams.
Materials purchased so far through donated funds include Xeroform, scalpels, sutures, syringes, minor surgery instrument packs, sterile gloves, antibiotics, iodine solution, bandages, hand sanitisers, bed pans, and hydrocortisone ointment.
“The news reports from Haiti are harrowing - the people are living in conditions resembling a post-apocalyptic nightmare. After speaking to Shane, I think this is a great opportunity for the staff and customers of McGorisks Pharmacy to support an effective and straightforward Haitian Disaster Relief project,” says Louise Begley, pharmacist at McGorisks Pharmacy, John Broderick Street.
“We at McGorisks Pharmacy think that this is a great project and it certainly has our support. Please give your support too.”
From today, Friday February 5 until next Friday February 12, McGorisks pharmacies will be running a collection in their three Athlone pharmacies. Philip McGorisk has kindly sponsored the purchase of Haiti appeal t-shirts for each staff member.
Please give any donation to McGorisks Pharmacy as soon as possible, or alternatively you can lodge directly to the following bank account:
AIB Upper Salthill, Galway:
Account name: Shane Howard-Howard's Pharmacy Haiti A/C
Account name: 21307085
Sort code: 93-74-01
