By Kim Siebert MacPhail
The Rotary Foundation’s Gift of Life program dramatically exemplifies what Bedford member Bob Cassidy always says of world-changing projects: “Its starts with one person, with one idea.”
Three decades ago, the Gift for Life program was just such “one idea,” an idea that has now grown to the point that, through its beneficence, 15,000 children from third world countries have received life-saving medical treatment
In 2000, here in Bedford, Cassidy decided it was time for New England to join the Gift of Life program. With the intent to make the best use of Boston’s medical resources, Cassidy approached Dr. Kathy Jenkins at Children’s Hospital and asked her to become the Rotary’s liaison for providing Gift of Life resources for critical care patients. Jenkins cautiously agreed to take on one case, but only if Cassidy could mobilize the Rotary network to supply all the non-medical services that the children and their families would need. Since that time, when the first little girl— Grace from Uganda— was treated, 50 more children have been helped by Dr. Jenkins and the Rotary network.
So last spring, when the Bedford Rotary Foundation’s chair, Christine Pinney, got the call, she knew that what Dr. Jenkins asked for would be provided by the Rotary and by everyone else connected with Gift of Life. It was just a matter of asking.
At issue was a baby boy named Daichi from the Dominican Republic who was in desperate need of cardiac surgery. “We knew that if he didn’t have the operation, he wouldn’t see his first birthday,” said Pinney.
Once Pinney knew the particulars, she started making her own phone calls. “The long and the short of it was that everyone wanted to help,” Pinney said. “People gave and they gave and they gave.”
Because the question of medical care was resolved by Dr. Jenkins’ involved, Pinney worked on transportation to and from Children’s Hospital for Daichi and his mother, Hidemi and on gathering supplies like diapers, car seats, and warm clothes. Rotarians quickly stepped up to help with everything that was needed.
A translator would be important, too, so Pinney asked Spanish speakers Lourdes Finnegan, Monica Bou and Jesse Dickinson-Meltz to be involved. They all readily agreed, with Finnegan, especially, providing a much-appreciated warm heart to carry Hidemi through the difficult experience. Coincidentally, Finnegan had assisted a Gift of Life child in the past and learned at first-hand how important the family’s support network is.
Finally—but very importantly—housing for Daichi and Hidemi was required. That’s where Rotary member John Goding, his wife Julia and daughter Gee enter the story. The Godings opened their home and their hearts to the family. Despite speaking only Google Translator-aided Spanish, they established a close bond with Daichi and his mother. With good medical care and loving support all around him, the little boy recovered well and quickly, first in the hospital and later at the Godings’ house.
Pinney described a scene following the surgery, when Hidemi was brought into the baby’s hospital room. When she started to cry, Pinney asked what was upsetting her. Through translation, Pinney learned that Daichi’s mother was crying from happiness. Daichi’s lips and nail beds were pink, which they never had been before, because his heart hadn’t been able to provide adequate circulation. Days later, it happened again—Hidemi was in tears. This time it was because Daichi was sitting up on his own. “He’d never had the heart strength to do that until after the surgery,” said Pinney.
After receiving a commemorative plaque and the Rotary’s thanks for their contributions, the Godings passed around a recent photograph of the now-glowing and healthy Daichi, back home in the Dominican Republic. Remembering the events and the strong relationships that were formed, John Goding told those assembled at the award ceremony, “It was such an amazing experience. We really should be thanking you for letting us do this.”
For more information about the Gift of Life International program, see:https://www.giftoflifeinternational.org/pages/parters_rotary.php
To learn about the Bedford Rotary’s projects, speakers, and meetings, visit: https://www.bedfordmarotary.org/
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