Caring Crutches for Haitians

Stouffville, Ontario, March 23, 2010 - In the span of less than two months, more than 300 crutches have been collected for Haitian amputees by three resourceful York Region women. The crutches will be shipped by cbm Canada to Haiti in April.

Valerie Jenner, Lindsay D’Andrade and her mother Bea D’Andrade were moved by newscast reports of how thousands of Haitians died from the January 12 earthquake. Those who survived lost their homes, loved ones and thousands were left with amputations.

The women were moved to act in response to the desperate needs. “Being affected by watching the news is one thing,” says Jenner, “but doing something is another.”

Ms. D’Andrade, a physiotherapist, recognized one of the greatest needs would be crutches for thousands of Haitians with new amputations.

“People can get secondary infections from not moving,” says Ms. D’Andrade. “Crutches will give these people mobility and a sense of independence.”

The trio created a new initiative, “Caring Crutches,” with the goal of collecting 500 good quality crutches before the end of April.

The women approached Aurora Town Council and were granted permission to have drop-off centres at three local recreation centres. Jenner and Mrs. D’Andrade have also been collecting crutches at the Aurora Library and Aurora Senior Centres.

Crutches, walkers, canes and wheelchairs have been generously donated by Toronto and York Region residents, businesses, Toronto hospitals and rehabilitation centres, as well as a hospital in Barrie.

“The boxes are overflowing; we can barely keep up,” says Jenner. “It’s a great feeling knowing we are going to help so many people.”

Jenner was interviewed on CBC Radio 1’s Metro Morning show recently. She explained how the crutches were being shipped to Haiti through cbm Canada, and discussed the life-saving work cbm is doing in Haiti.

Visit the link to hear the interview:
http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/2010/03/18/. Click on the "Crutches for Haiti" link.

Editors note: Photos and interviews available on request.

Media Contact:
For more information contact:
Sandy Hazell
National Media Coordinator
cbm Canada
shazell@cbmcanada.org
(905) 640-6466 ext 246;
1-800-567-2264 ext 246
(416) 302-3166 (cell)