A Different Kind of Inspiration

Sorry I have been absent again, but my husband was really sick and ended up in the hospital which of course coincided with the the last week of school and all the activities that entails. The hubs is doing much better now, so I am going to do my best to get back to blogging. This is less of a post than a link to an inspiring story in the NY Times about my brother and a hospital he started in Pakistan. Hopefully it will inspire you in ways beyond art. Make sure you watch the 10 minute video embedded in the article. Trust me it's worth the time out of your life.

An Improbable American

My brother has inspired me to help in the best way I know how. I will be creating a few art pieces inspired by my brother and his charity and will be selling them and donating the profits to his charity, CDRS. In my mind healthcare is a right and not a priviledge, no matter where you are in the world. I will share the new pieces once they are finished. If you would like to donate to his cause, please follow the link. Here is what your money can do:

What Your Donations Can Do For CDRS Medical Projects In Pakistan

$30 provides free healthcare and medicines to 21 patients
$150 provides free healthcare and medicines to 105 patients
$250 pays the rent of the main CDRS medical facility for 1 month (18 rooms 6 bathrooms, 4 levels, steel reinforced concrete building)
$300 provides free healthcare and medicines to 210 patients
$600 pays the salary of one CDRS Physician for one month
$700 provides food for 30 CDRS employees and overnight patients and their families for one month
$850 provides medicines and medical supplies for all 8 CDRS facilities for one month
$1,000 provides dental medicines and supplies for one dental unit for one year
$1,000 provides basic medicines to all 8 CDRS health facilities for one month
$1,200 provides operational and ambulance transportation (including drivers), fuel, maintenance and vehicle repair for one month
$1,500 provides free healthcare and medicines to 1,050 patients
$1,500 provides gas cylinder re-fills (for heat and cooking) for one year
$2,000 provides fuel for hospital generators for one year
$2,000 provides phone, electric and water for The CDRS main facility for one year
$5,000 provides a modern dental unit to a hospital or Rural Health Center
$15,000 repairs 6 dental units damaged in the earthquake and re-establishes Jinnah Dental Hospital and College in Muzaffarabad City
$20,000 provides for CDRS operating costs and staff salaries for one month (based on new facilities and programs - optimum 2008 budget of $240,000)

Please let me know if my brother's story has inspired you and please send out your thoughts and prayers to him so that he can stay safe in such a dangerous part of the world!