Operation Walk Los Angeles was scheduled for a mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala next month. We have a long standing partnership with Obras Sociales del Santo Hermano Pedro beginning in 2004 and we were eagerly awaiting the opportunity to return and restore mobility to our patients there.
Due to the world-wide shutdown occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic we and more than 40 other medical non-profits were unable to travel to Antigua this year. Obras Sociales is a hospital built for and dedicated to medical missions hosting consultations and surgical procedures in various specialties, including joint replacement, for patients from all over the country.
The result of these multiple cancelations has led to the furlough of all OR staff at Obres Sociales, with the hospital finding itself in dire financial straights. They have appealed to their mission groups for financial contributions to help them stay afloat through this difficult time.
Operation Walk Los Angeles has gifted the hospital $10,000 to help support their staff during this most unprecedented time. The hospital will also use a portion our donation to upgrade their equipment so when the time is right, we will be able to provide the surgical assistance needed for over 1,000 patients awaiting joint replacement surgery.