Hey everyone!

My name is Lexi Distefano and I am a third-year dental student at The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine! I’d like to share with you an amazing opportunity I’ve been presented with. Pitt Dental’s Christian Medical Dental Association will be heading to the mountains of Gracias, Honduras in May, where we will provide vital dental care to a remote community. Last year, Pitt Dental students and I spent four days providing care to over 150 patients, including fluoride application, oral hygiene instructions, extractions, restorations, and other general dental procedures. We partner with Sowers4Pastors, a Christian organization dedicated to serving Honduran communities in need. This experience will give me a deeper understanding of how God is working in underserved communities and conform me more into the likeness of Jesus. Moreover, this trip will allow me to pursue my passion for community service with an emphasis on demonstrating the importance of oral health.

For me, this trip extends beyond the walls of dentistry. For a second year, I feel called to participate in this mission to not only serve those less fortunate than myself, but to spread the love and word of God. Through my many years of church going and volunteering – especially with Feed My Starving Children – I have seen the amazing work of God through the service of his children, and I look forward to witnessing this again on such a large scale.

I am extraordinarily excited about this trip and the experiences that lie ahead; I hope you see the value in what we can accomplish on this endeavor. However, with this amazing opportunity comes a cost. In order to attend the trip, I am working to fundraise $1,000 by the beginning of May. This amount covers lodging, flight, meals, and essential dental supplies. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me on this trip by giving any monetary donation that feels right in your heart?

Beyond financial support, I would love for you to pray for me as I go and pray that God be at work in my heart and the hearts of those I will meet and serve. I strongly believe that together we can make a significant difference in the community in Gracias. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and cannot wait to use my knowledge and clinical skills I have developed over the past three years to positively impact the health, wellbeing, and faith of those less fortunate.

God Bless!