Gift of Life

Dec 17 - Karen Panietz gave us a very informative presentation on the Gift of Life-International and Gift of Life-Arizona. The International program began in 1974 while the Arizona program began in 1985. These programs are both sponsored and managed by Rotary organizations.  They provide financial and logistical support for the medical treatment of young children with congenital heart defects throughout the world. Doctors donate their time and hospitals donate equipment, but even so, the costs per child average over $100,000.  The Gift of Life, Arizona has helped 282 kids in 24 countries and would like to help 300 by fiscal year end. The Kyrene Rotary Club sponsored a young boy (Loic Niyomugaba) in 2004 and that child is a true success story. In fact, the story was written up in a major airline magazine. To read this touching story, CLICK HERE. Happily, our club will continue to support this worthy program.