MFH Program Director, Kenneth Muko; Sr. Xaveria, TSSF; MFH Country Coordinator, Paul Formbui

MFH Executive Director, Tim Bilodeau, often says that MFH is distinguished by the dedication of our in-country partners and by the quality of our relationships with them.  An outstanding example is the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis (TSSF), MFH’s partner in Cameroon since 2006.

April 20, 2013 marked the 50^th Anniversary of the Njinikom Hospital, which was founded by the TSSF.  The celebration was widely attended and included many dignitaries. MFH was proudly represented by MFH Country Coordinator, Paul Formbui, and MFH Program Director, Kenneth Muko.  Kenneth made a speech that commemorated the longstanding partnership between the Tertiary Sisters and MFH. During his remarks he said, “MFH is proud and grateful for the opportunity to partner with the TSSF for more than 7 years. Originally started as a pilot project in the Njinikom area, MFH program activities have now been “scaled out” to encompass 10 projects in 14 sites across the northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon. MFH hopes to expand coverage to include TSSF sites in other neighboring countries, particularly the Congo. We are hopeful, that someday in the future we will be celebrating a 50^th anniversary of this partnership between MFH and the TSSF.”

All of us at MFH congratulate The Tertiary Sisters on the 50^th anniversary of their hospital and we are proud of the long lasting relationships we have with all of our in country partners.

Entry Fee
$250 per player – includes:

• Greens Fee and Cart
• BBQ Lunch on the Patio
• Longest Drive Contest for men and women
• MFH On-course Trivia Contest
• $10,000 Putting Contest
• $10,000 Hole in One Prize
• $1,000 Closest to Pin Prize
• Men’s Division prizes – Golden Foot Wedge Trophy
• Ladies’ Division prizes – Jane M. Heggie Trophy
• Silent Auction
• Dinner and Awards Ceremony

Click here to download the full brochure to view additional details about the tournament, including sponsorship opportunities.

All proceeds to benefit Medicines for Humanity

2013 MFH Golf Tournament Online Registration Form

Registration Deadline is June 10, 2013.

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To make a credit card payment, please click on the Donate button below:

2012 MFH Golf Tournament Winners

2012 Men's Division Winners

2012 Ladies' Division Winners

We look forward to a great day!

 Please contact Kirk Ryan in the MFH Development Office at kryan@medicinesforhumanity.org or 781-982-0274 with any questions.     

February 19, 2013 – - For the second year, Medicines For Humanity (MFH) has received four official entries and bibs to offer to runners who would each commit to raising a minimum of $5,000, through John Hancock’s 2013 Marathon Non-Profit Program. “There was interest from many folks this year, but we only had four bibs and had to choose the most committed applicants,” said MFH Development Director Dick Weisberg.

The four who will wear those bibs and run this year’s Boston Marathon to raise money for MFH child survival projects around the world are Kelly Hawk, Nicole McGinnis, Fernando Mena-Carrasco, and Jesse Plate. Jesse returns to team MFH after his successful campaign and race in 2012.

Those four runners will be joined by two more MFH Team members this year. One is a seasoned marathoner who has run Boston before. He is Rick Peyser from Waterbury, VT, The Director of Social Advocacy and Coffee Community Outreach at Green Mountain Coffee (GMCR). “I am thrilled to be able to run on behalf of Medicines For Humanity,” states Mr. Peyser. “We at GMCR are very familiar with their mission and their efforts to save the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children.” Green Mountain Coffee sponsors MFH child survival projects in coffee growing regions in Rwanda.

The “sixth member” of 2013 Team MFH will be Jane M. Heggie, a gifted athlete and coach, who passed away in 2006. Vaughn Littlejohn, her son-in-law, began running the Marathon to remember Jane and raise money for MFH in her honor in 2009. This year the “RunForJane” will officially join Team MFH 2013. “Although I won’t be running the race this year, Jane will,” promises Mr. Littlejohn. “Jane will be there in spirit cheering as our runners cross the finish line.”

Again this year, John Hancock has continued its arrangement with the online fundraising and social networking web site, Crowdrise.com, to provide an online platform for each team’s fundraising and networking. As a result, people who would like to support Team MFH can do so at:     www.crowdrise.com/TeamMedicinesforHumanity/fundraiser/medicinesforhumanity

Each MFH team member also has an individual page that can be accessed from that link and supporters can follow along and join each runner’s personal campaign. People who want to donate to the “RunForJane” may do so at that link as well, or donations can be made on the MFH web site by clicking the button: “Donate Now.” Checks may be made out to Medicines For Humanity, and mailed to MFH, 800 Hingham Street, Suite 1800, Rockland, MA 02370. Please note the MFH Team Member you are supporting on the memo line.

January 2013, Rockland, MA – - Sister Joyce Meyer, PBVM, has joined the Board of Directors at Medicines for Humanity. “We are very pleased and privileged to have Sister Joyce on our board,” stated MFH Executive Director Tim Bilodeau. “Her experience with global health projects, with foundations, and with organizational leadership will significantly enhance our capacity to serve more children more effectively.”

Sister Meyer, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, served for many years as executive director of the Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters, a grant making organization supporting the works of Catholic sisters globally. Her experience includes five years in Zambia as a missionary and as executive director for the Zambia Association of Sisterhoods. Following her time in Africa, Sister Meyer served as president of the board of the Presentation Health System based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and on the sponsorship committee of the Catholic Health Association of the U.S. She also helped establish the International Presentation Sisters Association, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status with the United Nations.

Sister Meyer is currently a consultant to congregations of women religious, particularly in Africa and Asia, and works part time for the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in the U.S.  In addition to serving on the MFH board, she is on the board of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. She holds degrees from Marquette University and Catholic Theological Union at Berkeley.

Two of the 2012 MFH Boston Marathon team members, Jesse Plate, media buyer at Norwell-based Mediastruction (right) and Melissa Harvey, stylist at Maxime Salon, Hingham (left) after crossing the finish line last April.

MFH Currently Seeking Four Runners To Raise Funds To Help Save Children’s Lives

For the second consecutive year, Medicines for Humanity (MFH) been named a Non-Profit Partner of the 2013 John Hancock Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program.   As such, the non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to reducing child mortality in impoverished communities worldwide will receive four official entries for the race.  Those running to raise funds for MFH child survival projects will be official entrants in the Marathon and will each receive an official bib and number.  

As in 2012, the 2013 MFH runners will be coached by world-renowned running expert and running shoe designer Bob Bischoff.  Last year’s team members, none of whom had ever run a marathon, benefited greatly from Bischoff’s expertise and mentoring.  In addition to physical training, the team will be guided by the MFH Development Department to help each runner reach the required individual fundraising goal of $5,000.  Last year, all MFH runners exceeded their personal goals.

“Running the Marathon for Medicines for Humanity one of the most meaningful things I did last year,” said 2012 MFH Team Member Jesse Plate.  The Media Buyer at Norwell-based Mediastruction continued, “I am extremely proud to have participated in such a prestigious race and even prouder to have contributed to saving the lives of children around the world.  MFH created a true team atmosphere, supplying enormous encouragement and resources to us all.  I was humbled by the support I received personally and grateful for the opportunity to have been involved in such a worthwhile cause.”

Those interested in applying for the 2013 MFH Boston Marathon Team should contact Kirk Ryan at kryan@medicinesforhumanity.org or 781-982-0274.   The team is open to runners at all levels of experience.  Novice runners are encouraged to apply.  MFH is recruiting runners until January 1, 2013.

Medicines for Humanity (MFH) presents the Major League Baseball Players Trust with the 2012 MFH Humanitarian of the Year Award. From left to right, MFH Board Member Thomas M. O’Neill, MFH Executive Director Tim Bilodeau, Players Trust Director Melissa Persaud, Boston Red Sox Pitcher Craig Breslow. (Photo: Jack Foley Photography)

September 24, 2012 – Medicines for Humanity (MFH), has honored the Major League Baseball Players Trust (The Trust) with its 2012 Humanitarian of the Year award. The presentation was made during the annual MFH Humanitarian Awards Dinner held at the Harvard Club in Boston. Attended by more than 130 guests, the evening raised more than $250,000 for MFH’s ongoing work to reduce child mortality in impoverished communities around the world.

When presenting the award, MFH board member, Thomas M. O’Neill stated, “The Major League Baseball Players Trust has established a global footprint of caring. You bring healthcare to the most vulnerable children in the Dominican Republic.  You assure that Haitian children impacted by the earthquake receive the critical health services they need.  Major league baseball players, through the Players Trust, have shown the world how to create a legacy of enduring goodness.”

Melissa Persaud, Director of the Players Trust, accepted the award on behalf of the Trust and all Major Leageurs. In her acceptance speech, Ms. Persaud said, “On behalf of the players, especially those who call the Dominican Republic home, I want to say ‘thank you’ to Medicines for Humanity.  Not just for this honor, but more so for helping the players help their neighbors, countrymen and women, and especially children, in the daily struggle to combat life-threatening diseases, vitamin deficiencies, and to increase health awareness and education – things we all take for granted.”

The Players Trust has supported MFH efforts to reduce child mortality for ten years in the batey communities of the Dominican Republic and the earthquake-ravaged areas of Haiti. During a recent visit to the Dominican Republic, MFH’s in-country partner, Sor. Conception stated that not one child has died this year in the bateyes that MFH and the Players Trust support in the Quisqueya area due to a lack of healthcare. In her closing remarks, Ms. Persaud stated that the Trust looks forward to accomplishing even more with Medicines for Humanity in the future.

September 1, 2012 – Medicines for Humanity (MFH) will present its Humanitarian of the Year Award to the Major League Baseball Players Trust, the philanthropic foundation of the Major League Players Association, for a decade of support for MFH child survival projects in marginalized communities in the Dominican Republic and for Haiti earthquake relief. The award will be presented at a celebratory dinner to be held on Monday, September 24, 2012 at The Harvard Club in Boston, MA. “The Players Trust has been directly responsible for helping us save children’s lives in the communities we have been serving for ten years,” according to MFH Board Member and Event Chairman Thomas M. O’Neill. “We are looking forward to honoring them at our annual gala this year.” For information about the event and how to purchase tickets, please contact Kirk Ryan in the MFH Development office, kryan@medicinesforhumanity.org.

MFH Development Director Dick Weisberg and children from Batey 14, Quisqueya, Dominican Republic

August 2012 – When we began serving the people of the bateyes surrounding Quisqueya in the Dominican Republic ten years ago, child mortality was high. The mobile clinic program that the Daughters of Charity innovated has been operating daily for eleven years now. “Dr. Tony,” a child from a batey who grew up, went to medical school and has been providing primary healthcare to the people on the bateyes from the inside of a converted van since the program started is still on the job.

But in addition to Dr Tony, the Sisters and the mobile clinic… there are now Community Health Workers, one from each batey.  They have been trained to recognize symptoms of diseases that can cause the death of young children. They refer them to Dr. Tony when he visits.  In the more acute cases, they call Dr. Tony immediately to ask his advice. They also make home visits and educate new mothers about nutrition, healthcare, and sanitation.

Are we making a difference? Two weeks ago on a visit to the Dominican Republic, we heard Sor Concepcion, our project partner, tell us that, “in the past year, not one child has died on the Quisqueya bateyes that we serve due to lack of healthcare services. I thank God for this great accomplishment.”

This article was reported by MFH Development Director Dick Weisberg.