After three days in recovery, Sandra is successfully back in her regular room and doing well, attended by her mother. She is the first of eight such Iraqi children who will receive assistance from Rotary and affilliated Gift of Life.

Turkish Rotarians from the Istanbul-Maslak and the Uluslararasi Rotary Clubs raised the intial funding for Sandra's surgery, travel and expenses. However on her arrival, it was discovered that the original reports from Iraq and Sandra's actual condition were not consistent. More funding was needed.

That's where NYRC members Bill Currie and Kaan Soyak stepped in. Kaan Soyak, also a member of The international Service Division, was instrumental in making this happen through his relationships with the Turkish Clubs while Bill Currie helped find additional funding through his connections in the US

With funding for the addtional surgical costs and an additionally needed four pints of blood arranged, Sandra and her mother were picked up from the airport and checked into the hospital. Basic needs for the two were set up and even companionship for Mom during surgery was made available.

This is a wonderful example of just how much Rotary and its individual members care for others. Thanks All.

Below are earlier pictures of Sandra and her mother together with Governor Omer, Governor Faruk, Solmaz and her physician.