Our History

	Our History

In May of 1998, a group of podiatric surgeons and residents from the Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, had the opportunity to travel to Da Nang, Vietnam to volunteer their surgical services and expertise. Treated were mostly children and young adults suffering from polio, cerebral palsy, injuries, birth defects, and a host of other, oftentimes rare musculoskeletal disorders. All patients came with the hope that doctors from America would be able to provide medical and surgical care they would otherwise be unable to receive.

What many of us thought would be a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience has become a passion for those of us who first traveled to Da Nang, and for many who have later joined. Since we began our project, we have been successful in acquiring donations of medical and surgical equipment and supplies as well as cash to purchase additional materials that are greatly needed. In addition to medications, bandages, and casting materials, we have recently delivered surgical monitors and power equipment, and we have donated other requested supplies for the prosthetics lab and physical therapy center. Still, their many needs continue.

This site was last updated 07/23/05