MIAMI – As South Floridians see and hear the devastating news coming from Haiti, many are concerned and wish to offer help.  At this point, monetary donations are most urgently needed to fund all disaster relief efforts in Haiti. 
In order to facilitate the donation process through a trusted local resource, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation has instituted a Disaster Relief Fund that will provide aid to those impacted by the Haiti earthquake.  Those wishing to donate may do so two different ways:

1.   Visit http://www.mchf.org/donate/ and follow the prompts. MAKE SURE YOU DIRECT YOUR DONATION TO A FUND AND ENTER THE WORD HAITI IN THE APPROPRIATE FIELD.  You may make a donation with a credit card, or mail a check. 

2.   Text the word “CHILDREN” to 85944 and a $5 donation will be automatically added to your cell phone bill.  Make sure you respond “yes” to the reply message.*

Donors who have questions should contact Alexandra Salcedo at 786.268.1746.

“Our hearts are with those in Haiti who are suffering as a result of this unprecedented natural disaster,” said Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation President Lucy Morillo.  “Whether online or by texting on cell phones and PDAs, we hope our friends within the community and Hospital family can make a difference.”

“I thank everyone in advance for their generosity.”

According to Morillo, Hospital and Foundation leadership is actively communicating with state and local agencies in an effort to assist in every way possible, whether on the ground in Haiti or for needed beds and healthcare assistance here in South Florida.  As a result of the Foundation’s communication with the United Nations Special Envoy to Haiti and the Clinton Foundation, the first delivery of medical supplies left from the hospital to Haiti on Saturday, January 16.  

Miami Children’s Hospital also is mobilizing a medical team to be deployed to Haiti this week.  The hospital is working closely with The National Association of Children’s Hospitals (NACHRI) on this effort, with team members including doctors and nurses, receiving vaccinations on Monday.  With many children's hospitals getting ready to send teams of pediatric doctors, nurses and subspecialists to Haiti, NACHRI is helping to coordinate this effort through the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). 

Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation is a not-for profit 501 (C) (3) established to create a world-class pediatric hospital so no child need leave South Florida for superior medical care.  “Funding World-Class Care” and following the principle that all children deserve state-of-the-art pediatric care with no financial boundaries, the Foundation helped 289-bed Miami Children’s Hospital become a leader in pediatric healthcare with more than 40 subspecialties, the largest pediatric neurology center in the U.S., a top provider of cardiology and neonatology services, and a Research Institute conducting in excess of 150 clinical trials and protocols.

Miami Children’s Hospital is one of 170 pediatric hospitals in North America affiliated with Children’s Miracle Network and South Florida’s only freestanding Hospital dedicated exclusively to children.  To learn more about the Foundation and offer support, visit www.mchf.org, or call 305-666-2889 (toll free: 1-800-987-8701).


*Text “children” to 85944 and send a $5 gift of health to the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation Disaster Relief Fund.  A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance.  Messaging and data rates may apply.  You must reply YES to the confirmation message in order to complete the donation.  All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider.  Service is available on most carriers.  Donations are collected for the benefit of “Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation Disaster Relief Fund” by the Mobile Giving Foundation and are subject to the terms found at www.hmgf.org/t.  You may unsubscribe at any time by replying STOP to short code 85944; Reply HELP to 85944 for help.