Two traffic technicians, Corporal Kerri Welcel and Master Corporal Chris Mclean (hidden behind), help load medical and dental supplies donated by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games on to a CC177 Globemaster aircraft bound for Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 27.
Photo by Cpl Isabel Lavallee-Raby. ©VANOC/COVAN
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has donated more than 2,000 pounds of surplus medical and dental supplies and equipment from the 2010 Winter Games to Canadian medical teams in Haiti as part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Truce program. VANOC partnered with the Canadian armed forces to donate and deliver the much-needed medical supplies in two stages, with the first major shipment going en route over the weekend of March 26, and the rest scheduled for ongoing shipment over the coming weeks and months.
A first shipment of approximately 1,000 pounds of goods left on March 27 for Port-au-Prince via a Canadian Forces CC-177 Globemaster airplane. The supplies and equipment included a wide assortment of soft goods and surgical instruments ranging from bandages and suture kits to orthotic knee braces. The medical supplies will be provided to Canadian Medical Assistance Teams (CMAT) that have been providing on-the-ground medical support in Haiti since the devastating earthquake there on January 12. The remaining inventory of supplies will be collected and stored in Vancouver and shipped as required with CMAT doctors and volunteers as future teams are deployed to Haiti.
“With the conclusion of the Games, our legacy is in the things we continue to do that reflect the unity and friendship celebrated in the name of sport and the Olympic Truce,” said John Furlong, VANOC CEO. “We’re grateful to the Canadian forces for their invaluable partnership in delivering surplus Games medical goods, so that through CMAT we can support the people of Haiti as they continue to heal and rebuild.”
“Our medical team had access to top-quality medical and dental equipment and supplies in support of athletes at the 2010 Games,” said Jack Taunton, MD, VANOC’s Chief Medical Officer. “Our work is done, and as medical professionals, our first thoughts are always to whom else needs help, so we are pleased to support our medical colleagues working so hard in Haiti.”
Peter MacKay, Canadian minister of national defense, added, “The Canadian Forces’ association with the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games has been mutually beneficial. Now, we are able to do something together to benefit others. We are pleased to be able to transport these medical supplies on behalf of the Vancouver Organizing Committee, continuing our support to the relief effort in Haiti.”
According to VANOC, the donation represents approximately $125,000 CAD. Earlier this month, VANOC with its partners announced a $300,000 CAD donation to UNICEF to support relief efforts in Haiti.
