Squashing America's Flu
Bug
The Moscow, the
New Caledonia and the Hong Kong. No, they’re not new dance steps.
Unfortunately, they are this year’s three strains of the flu. With
flu season peaking between February and March, see how Operation Blessing
is helping uninsured and underinsured Americans across the country.
Widowed and living alone, she
was grateful when her grown children came for a visit. Underinsured, there
wasn’t money to help Mary’s deteriorating health. Then one of
two Aurora Christian Health Services clinics opened up nearby! Her checkup
showed that this elderly woman was suffering from advanced diabetes. The
situation had to quickly be monitored by medication and return visits to
the clinic.
Mary is one of 4,000 regular patients filling up the appointment books
at Aurora Christian Health Center every year. Low-income families, individuals
and the homeless living in this second largest city of Illinois receive
similar diagnosis from the small bi-lingual staff. They provide all primary
health care services excluding obstetrics. A dental suite is even being
added to their Spruce Street location.
Instead of always practicing reactive medicine, CEO Barbara Boer wants
to give more preventative care as well as provide a medical home to her
patients. She shared, “The clinic is supported by Christian individuals,
businesses and churches with a heart for health care.” Operation
Blessing recently helped her temporarily achieve preventive health care
by sending 10,000 flu doses. Having arrived February 4th, there is still
plenty of time to give the immunizations to those most at risk to suffer
from the flu…those living in poverty.
According to the Center for Disease Control, a surprising average of
36,000 Americans die from flu-related complications every year! According
to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the flu shot
will reduce your chances of getting the flu by about 70-90 percent. In
response to this need and with the support of our generous partners, Operation
Blessing also sent a total of 60,000 doses to two other medical locations
in Dallas, Texas as well as New York City.
On the international front, Operation Blessing recently shipped a 20-foot
container filled with a generous donation of medical supplies to the people
of Honduras! These basic health care items, general pain-relievers and
antibiotics will help local medical professionals in San Pedro Sula as
well as the Cortes region in treating their patients suffering from infections,
common diseases and upper respiratory sicknesses.
Thank you for your part in giving the gift of life around the world!
Your gift of $40 or more can end someone’s lifetime of pain.
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