NEW YORK — Paul Chester Children’s Hope Foundation (PCCHF) announces their return to the Dominican Republic early in the year. The team was comprised of 25 medical volunteers. They traveled into the country on January 23rd to perform life-changing surgeries on children and families in remote areas of Santo Domingo and the mountain town of Ocoa.
This is the second time that PCCHF has had the support of AIRLINK and its network of partners, including JetBlue Airways, to execute this international mission. JetBlue provided air transportation for the 25 volunteers.
PCCHF’s co-founder Dr. Bill Chester commented, “PCCHF relies completely on individual and corporate donors to fund our missions. With doctors, nurses, and volunteers donating their time and skills we often have to rely on entities like AIRLINK and JetBlue to provide the missing piece which is air transportation to complete our missions. Our volunteers are very grateful for the opportunity to make small miracles happen for people in need. We extend our sincere thanks to JetBlue Airways and AIRLINK for their continued support. Without their contributions, the medical missions would not be possible.”
“Air transportation is our core business. We are excited to provide flights to Paul Chester Children’s Hope Foundation to bring doctors to some of the most remote areas of the Dominican Republic for surgeries that will save lives,” said Icema Gibbs, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at JetBlue Airways. “As the largest carrier in the Dominican Republic, many of our crewmembers live in these communities. We are simply using our available resources to help our neighbors.”
The focus of this medical mission was surgical, including general, ENT, ophthalmology and non-cosmetic plastics such as burn scar revisions and disfiguring birth defects. Patients will also be treated for thyroidectomies, eardrum repairs, tumors, hernias, cataracts and pterygiums. The medical team consisted of 25 doctors, nurses and non-medical volunteers.
About Paul Chester Children’s Hope Foundation
PCCHF provides vital assistance to improve the lives and well being of families in developing countries. PCCHF’s medical outreach programs bring critical health resources and treatments to remote communities, harnessing the expertise of our volunteer medical professionals. Co-Founded by Dr. William Chester the Paul Chester’s Children’s Hope Foundation (PCCHF) honors the legacy of Paul Chester (1987-2003), a bright young man deeply committed to helping young people. To find out more, log on to www.pcchf.org. You can also follow this mission on Facebook. ? ?
About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 30 million customers a year to 82 cities in the U.S., Caribbean and
Latin America with an average of 800 daily flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, an overnight stay is never required and the first checked bag is free (subject to weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines). Upcoming destinations include Detroit, Mich.; and Savannah, Ga.; as well as Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, subject to receipt of government operating authority. For more information please visit JetBlue.com.
Press Inquiries:
For PCCHF: Patrick Heaphy
US: +1 914.837.0242
