CAMO Gift Catalog- Give a Gift that Keeps on Giving

Finding it difficult to pick out the perfect Christmas gift?

Give the gift that keeps on giving...Purchase a life-changing product from CAMO's Christmas Gift Catalog. You can choose from a dozen products that have continuous impact on the lives of those in need (all year long!)

Visit gift.camo.org and PURCHASE THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT TODAY!

Give Hope this Holiday-- and help us Transform Lives!


Note: Don't let the listed prices keep you from giving: you can enter any amount you're comfortable with
we accept any and all donations!

**You can even personalize a card at checkout!**

Carmen's Birthday

Carmen celebrated her 24th birthday.
a milestone that would not have been possible without CAMO.

CAMO's 7th Annual Golf Scramble

June 23rd CAMO held it's 7th Annual Golf Scramble at The Pines Golf Club.

and over 80 golfers showed up to support the event! With numerous volunteers, over 60 sponsors and a course-full of teams, The Pines was a bustle of activity all morning long!

volunteers at Hole 12

CAMO and I would like to say THANK YOU to all who contributed with donations, sponsorship, volunteer-work, golf teams, and to those who provided gifts/prizes for golf contests & raffle drawings. A special thanks to The Pines Golf Club for hosting the event & Zipporah Groth, the event chairperson for helping to coordinate the activities.

Driving the drink cart

volunteers (and staff member Kelsie)

  

We look forward to seeing everyone next year at our 

8th annual GOLF SCRAMBLE!!!

www.CAMO.org

visit CAMO's Facebook for more photos from the event!




http://westwoodave.blogspot.com/

Carmen will be able to live a normal life

in regards to the Carmen Sanchez case:

“The performance of such a complex, delicate surgery and high quality post-operative intensive care is the culmination of all we have built through CAMO,” said Tschiegg.  “This young woman’s condition is so rare that only a few surgeons would even attempt it and only in a U.S. hospital.  Carmen was too fragile to transfer to the U.S. but we knew she would die soon if we didn’t do something.  We were blessed with many surgeons and nurses who volunteered to take on the challenge of performing this surgery in Honduras.  Through private contributions, we were able to gather the surgical tools and ICU equipment that was necessary to save this woman’s life. By working together, Honduran surgeons helped perform a complex surgical procedure, the first in their country, and the nursing staff of both the private and public hospitals of Santa Rosa have now developed the capability for intricate post-surgical intensive care.  Most important, though, is that Carmen Sanchez will now be able to live a normal life.”

--Kathryn Tschiegg

Founder and Executive Director, CAMO

El Milagro de Carmen

For the past 4 years, Carmen Sanchez has lived behind closed doors. Only 23 years old she has already known a life full of pain. Forced to cover her face to hide a tumor that originated in the back of her throat, Carmen has lead a marked life…until CAMO...

Carmen’s story came to us in Honduras where we immediately began the workings to improve this young woman’s quality of life. Thanks to the generous hearts of many individuals, Carmen not only would survive, but she could now live beyond those closed doors that she’d known for so many years.

11 doctors and nurses from the U.S. traveled to operate, joining a group of 6 Honduran medical volunteers; the private and public hospitals of Santa Rosa playing a key role in this process as well. Over 12 hours of surgery successfully removed a 810 grams tumor from Carmen’s face.

Carmen’s journey has just begun for her the story does not end here. Prior to surgery, Carmen could not read or write; so CAMO will see to it that Carmen recieves proper vocational education at the Trade School to integrate her into society, even building her a new home! Carmen is truly a miracle…made possible through the support of many people and organizations who contributed to making “El Milagro de Carmen” a reality today.

Carmen, 45 days after surgery

Visit our Facebook page for more stories and updates!

Carmen Sanchez

Carmen lived with a
melon-sized tumor for years!

15 days post-op

A month ago: CAMO supported a medical team that freed a young woman of a melon-sized tumor in her mouth...

"It has been a honor to work with all sectors and to have so many good organizations and people be part of giving life back to Carmen. Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO) provided 61 days medical care & preparation, coordinated all activities in Honduras including the coordination team members form Jackson, Florida and Ohio team in preparation of Carmen and the facility to support the surgical procedure. (First time ever a procedure of this nature was performed in Honduras) The public health sector and the private hospital Centro Medico were key in making this surgery possible and an success. CAMO provided the key medical equipment (neurosurgical microscope $50,000 piece of equipment along with setting up and equipping the ICU unit) necessary for this surgery. CAMO worked with the Mayor for land donation, provided all the funding for all cost occurred in the 61 days of hospitalization plus the team cost. CAMO continues to provide post-op coordination, funding and care made possible only through 20 years of relationships and development. CAMO will continue to work with Carmen until she is able to read, write and completion of trade training so she can support herself. CAMO will be building a small house for her on completion of her graduation from trade school. 

Special thanks to the Hondurans who donated their facilities, time and expertise:

• Dr Juan Carlos Cardona ( Managed case pre-op and post-op)
• Dr Alfredo Tabora (Director of Centro Medico) Who continues to support us in this case.
• Centro Medico Board of Directors for allowing this case to be done in their facility and helping with the cost. Centro Medico nursing staff of nine nurse who cared for Carmen for 30 days post op and continue to care for her as a person.
• Dr Natalie Mungia (Anesthesia)
• Mirna Pineda (OR Nurse) Who helped to have everything selected and supplies ready for this case
• Teleton Santa Rosa (Post op rehabilitation)
• Women’s Shelter (CASA HOGAR) Housing for Carmen Post op
• Trade School (Escuela de Artes y Oficios) Teaching her a trade
• Anabel Gonzales (Executive Secretary CAMO Honduras) Who is Carmen's advocate and has seen her two times every day for the last 3 months and continue to help her in her new journey. 
• All of CAMO's staff in the USA and Honduras who have assisted with this case. 

State Side Thanks to:

• The eleven team members who traveled to Honduras Dr Christopher Salgado, Dr Askari Morad, Dr Michael Peleg, Dr Joni Magi, Consuelo Cotterell Surgical Tech, Suzanna Hernandez Surgical Tech., Beatriz De Luz RN(From Jackson) Katie Simmons RN, Laurie Yeagly RN, Dr Les Mohler from Ohio. Dennis Kane from Washington DC.



38 days post-op

• Salem Mennonite Church in Kidron Ohio for providing initial funding to CAMO for Carmen.

Note:

Each part made the whole, without one the other would not have had the success, so thanks to each and every one of you. 

It has truly taken the entire village."

--Kathryn M. Tschiegg 

http://www.local10.com/news/Miami-docs-donate-time-expertise/-/1717324/14284348/-/cnrm4a/-/index.html




Visit our Facebook page for more stories and updates!

Join CAMO's mailing list to receive updates on all the amazing ways we're continuing to         Bring Hope to the Forgotten!

Visit our website or Facebook Page to sign up! We can't wait to share our stories with you!

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Life keeps coming at you and decisions have to be made.

There is a story published in "Chicken Soup For the Soul" about a little boy who saw a sign for puppies. When the owner of the store called for the puppies, all came running except for one who limped to make its way to the little boy. Surprisingly, the boy wanted the limping puppy. The owner tried to talk him out of it and said it had hip problems and could never run or play with the boy.
But the little boy was adament about buying that particular one, and said he would pay full price, because even that damaged puppy had value. The man insisted he could have him for free, but the boy wouldn't budge. He gave the owner everything he had for the puppy, finally pulling up his pant leg to show the owner that he himself was crippled with a braced leg. Looking up at the owner, he said "Sir, I cannot jump or run either, and this little puppy will need someone who understands".

This story is depictive of each of us: life keeps on coming with tragic, happy, and educational events. But what really matters is how we use those events to impact our lives. I see people everyday who hang on to their problems and suffering, repeating this event over and over again; so much that they start to cherish the event, never reaching out like this little boy and turning it into service of others and understanding.

I have had great loss in my life, especially within the past two years. My uncle, whom my parents raised from age 11 was like a brother, passed along with my father. And two week ago, my best friend. But it is a choice to cherish the suffering of these losses, or to smile at the memories. It is important we use our experiences to support others. Whatever happens, life will keep coming at you. Use it to acquire understanding, applying this understanding to help others.

This is what our CAMO teams do: they use all of their understanding and professions to serve others. I am so honored to be surrounded by such a large group of wise, caring people. I thank each and every one of you.


Please visit CAMO's website and facebook page

February Teams- Week One Photos

Starting February 18th, our first week of medical teams traveled to Santa Rosa de Copán to begin their service with CAMO. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who donates their time towards our cause in Honduras; we are blessed to have their support.

Central American Medical Outreach- Bringing Hope to the Forgotten

This journey started over 30 years ago: and today, I feel it is in many ways just the beginning, but the future is bright.

We have so many opportunities to serve, each of which having a great impact on community and way of life. When I was a Peace Corps Nurse in 1979 I experienced unbelievable suffering and death; more than anyone should experience in their lifetime. Today, it is no longer about grieving those gone, but about the prevention of needless deaths: building healthy community in the same place that once smelled of death. Today CAMO has been successful in getting children off the streets and into a daycare center, providing activities for all age groups on a daily basis through the community gym, addressing domestic violence with a shelter, granting education for those wanting to learn a trade through classes at the trade school, and providing art, theater and music at the cultural center.

On the health side: programs exist in the community that without CAMO would only exist in the two largest cities in Honduras. Cervical cancer can now be diagnosed and treated. Eye surgeries, dental care, wheelchairs, and custom made prosthetic & orthotic devices along with mammography, x-ray, and ultrasound are now available to the poor. The journey has been steady and consistent, but it is not for the impatient. Changes do not happen overnight: it is with a constant presence, a slow walk, and respect gained in the community that we serve. This has been the only way which an organization or person can make permanent changes. CAMO has been successful in changing the community and providing service for its people. As Founder, I thank all our donors and volunteers who have been a part of this consistent, tireless journey.