The Children's Red Fund – Stetsko family makes a big blood donation!

A patient who benefits from a free CAMTA surgery often needs one or more blood transfusions during or after his operation. Tierra Nueva Hospital must charge the patient or his family $85 per unit of blood. This expense, for many, is a staggering amount. In 2012, 12 of our patients required a total of 17 units of blood.

Sam Stetsko, one of CAMTA's anesthetists, and his family decided to do something to alleviate the cost of blood for our friends in Ecuador. Their event – Sophie's Bistro – a silent auction and fundraiser that they host in their home with the help of their daughters, Sophie and Molly. The plan is to raise at least enough money to cover at least the first transfusion, and hopefully all transfusions, for each patient helped during our upcoming two week mission. To date, the Stetskos have raised over $4000 – enough to cover 25 units per week!

The Stetskos have set a goal of $7000 – to provide payment for the units of blood needed for initial transfusions as well as any emergency transfusions or blood products needed on the ward.