Syrian Refugee Surgical Mission

Greetings and thanks for clicking the link and being here.

The Syrian refugee crisis is a catastrophic humanitarian disaster and I'm sure everyone reading this, like myself, has at some point wished there was a small way to help.    Supporting this project is one such way.  

Many of you know me as a bass player,  climate change and social-justice, anti-war advocate.  What you may not know is that several years ago I also became a nationally certified surgical technologist - the "Pass the Scalpel Guy" during surgeries.   Since 2011 I have been doing this at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.   

I recently was selected to join a team of surgeons on an upcoming medical mission to Jordan - our team will perform lifesaving surgeries on Syrian refugees there,  in locations with scant resources or infrastructure.  Our team will focus on OB-GYN and general surgery, including  procedures otherwise unavailable locally.   I will have a key role in the OR as the only surgical technician on the surgical team. 

The mission is organized by the Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS), one of the most active medical relief organizations for displaced Syrians  both inside Syria and in the surrounding region.   Learn more about SAMS' work here: https://www.sams-usa.net/ and from the video attached at the top of this page.  

All medical team members are being asked to finance their own travel and lodging expenses.   The costs of the round-trip flight to Amman, Jordan, and the hotel for the 8-day mission, is approximately $2500.   Anything you can contribute will allow me to join this team in Jordan and to contribute vital medical assistance directly to some of the most vulnerable people on Earth today.  

Feel free to email me directly at [email redacted], or call me (646 [phone redacted]) if you have any questions about the mission, the work of SAMS (see attached video,) or my involvement.   In addition, anyone contributing more than $100 will be invited to a cocktail reception/showing of my slideshow presentation of the mission, upon my return, in NYC.   ;) 

It is an honor to be selected to work intimately with a team of highly specialized surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists from across the United States.
  
The Syrian refugee crisis is one we've heard lots about in the news and social media, and I know everyone reading this understands and sympathizes deeply with the underlying tragedy of this humanitarian crisis.  Here's a chance to provide some direct, hands-on support.  

Thank you so much.  Lots of love.... Don