Kelseyville >> “How far would you walk for health care?” With that question, Worldwide Healing Hands (WHH) invites individuals of all ages to take part in the third annual “Hike 4 Healing” on April 30.
In addition, WHH seeks sponsors for the event and for hikers. All donations will help support the WHH’s goals and missions to provide quality health care to women and children, especially those who do not have access to such care.
Hike participants will traverse the Wright Summit Trail on Mount Konocti, a little more than 6 miles round trip and an elevation gain of 1,600 feet. Suggested donation for the hike is $25 per person (no amount for children younger than the age of 12). Participants may register on EventBrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-hike-4-healing-registration-23469961286 or search “2016 Hike 4 Healing” at EventBrite.com).
Registration forms are available at WHH’s office in the Specialty Care and Surgery Center, 5685 Main St. in Kelseyville. Call (707) 279-8733 or stop by the office to pick up a form.
The Hike 4 Healing was launched two years ago as a fundraiser for WHH’s missions, according to Hike 4 Healing coordinator Anthy O’Brien, a WHH board member and supporter.
Led by Dr. Paula Dhanda, an obstetrician and gynecologist based in Kelseyville, WHH provides health care services to women and children in underserved areas of the world. WHH teams have traveled to Uganda, Nepal, Chad and Haiti to deliver health services. WHH volunteer medical teams have also provided free health screenings to homeless and impoverished in Lake County, as well as to fire evacuees following last year’s devastating fires in south Lake County.
WHH recently sent a team of volunteers to Haiti for a week-long mission in conjunction with Project MedShare. While in Cap-Haitien, the WHH doctors and nurses conducted cervical cancer screenings and treatment for dozens of Haitian women and provided training to Haitian physicians and midwives.
The WHH Board of Directors is planning a second mission to Uganda for the organization later this year, following WHH’s 2015 trip to the Muko Health Center.
“We will need funds to acquire equipment and supplies for the clinic in Uganda,” Dhanda said. Doctors, nurses and staff who accompany Dhanda on the WHH missions are not paid for their time; they donate their services to WHH. However, there are other costs incurred, mainly for much-needed supplies and medicine, according to Dhanda.
“Please join us on our Hike 4 Healing this year so that we may help many more women and children with the health care they need and deserve,” O’Brien said. The hike is not a race nor competition, she adds. “Your prize is the satisfaction of completing the hike and helping a worthy cause.”
For more information about the Hike 4 Healing, call (707) 279-8733. Visit WHH’s website, www.worldwidehealinghands.org, to read more about the organization.
