"So I said 'yes' not knowing how I would feel/like this. I found it's the most rewarding thing I have ever done; it makes me feel needed and useful; I guess I'm giving back.
"AS was founded by 5 members of Rotary Club of San Francisco. It's a non-profit corporation that partners with Rotary Clubs and sends teams of medical and non-medical volunteers to China. The teams are from all over the world, not just the USA. They set up multidisciplinary cleft palate and lip treatment centers where they provide free surgery.
'We go on two-week missions. A surgical team is about 20 volunteer plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nurses, and dentists, plus 10 non-medical Rotary volunteers. The team works side by side with the local Chinese medical teams.
'I have been to Shenyang (click the map) twice in 2006, Huangshi in 2007 and I plan to return to China twice in 2008.
'We work about a 12 hour day, but I don't really get tired. I hope I can keep this up for several more years. Guess that's it; Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!
"Carol"
It all makes sense to yours truly; a smile from Carol was worth having 50 years ago, too. -RC
