HELP HAITI

Poor poor Haiti... this country seriously has the worst luck.

I've been lucky to have a chance to visit this country Sept 2008, right after Tropical Storm Hanna, Hurricane Ike, Gustav and Fay hit Southern Haiti. We went to Cap-Haitien, Haiti as part of Student Optometric Services to Humanity (SOSH), over 20 people from my optometry school went to provide eye care to those in need. We provided eye exams, gave eye glasses and sunglasses, sent patients for cataract surgery and appropriate referrals to those with serious eye conditions in the screenings we did at community centers.

It was such an eye-opening experience. The people of Haiti have so much hope and such great resilience. They were so grateful to have us there, we were more than happy to do as much as we could for the short week we were there. I'm lucky to have the experience to be able to give through volunteer eye care.

It is so heartbreaking the amount of destruction and devastation encountered by the people of Haiti by the Jan 12th 7.0 earthquake. There has been lots of aid help and awareness made to help raise money for this disaster relief. This country is the poorest in the western hemisphere and it definitely needs all the help it can get to help their residents get food, healthcare, shelter and eventually begin rebuilding. The 'Hope for Haiti' telethon raised a record breaking $58 million dollars with many moving performances from celebrities and artists. I think its great that everyone is trying to do their part to help in whatever way they can.

Donate through American Red Cross or pick your choice from these various organizations, which also list how they're going to use the money.

An easy way to donate through Red Cross is text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be billed to your cell phone bill.

Don't wait and expect others to help, every little bit helps!