Hi Everyone,
    Next Sunday, May 29th, I will be hosting a fundraiser on Full Tilt Poker to help raise funds for my father who, every year, goes to Samoa with other doctors and Christians treating less fortunate patients from town to town at no cost. Please read below for more information about their annual services to Samoa. The tournament i will be running will be a $50 buy in and $25 will go to the prizepool and $25 will go to the charity. There will be many of Australias best online players including Full Tilt Red Pros Simon Watt, Jackie Glazier, Mark Vos and Jonathan Karamalikis playing so you'll get a chance to take on Australia's best! Alternatively if you wish to donate directly as you cannot play the tournament or just wish to help out even more there are bank details for direct donations too. Tournament info are as follows.

    Online Website: Full Tilt Poker - www.fulltiltpoker.com                                                 Direct Donations: Samoa Medical Mission
    Tournament ID: 237506131 PASSWORD: helpinghand                                                  BSB:- 112-879  
    Name: Brendon Rubie Fundraiser                                                                                  Acc - 064081145
    Date: Sunday, 29th May
    Time: 7pm Aus East                                                                                                       Direct Donation - via Full Tilt
    Buy in: $50 - ($25 - prizepool and $25 - fundraiser)                                                    Player ID - Brendooor - Sydney (contact me first)

Samoa Medical Mission from Brendon Rubie on Vimeo.

On average 1200-1400 patients are seen and receive assistance for their medical conditions ranging from the simple cold to more complicated conditions including neurological and ophthalmological ailments.

The team also screens for diabetes and cataracts and refers accordingly. An eye clinic conducts simple refractions and dispenses new and used glasses.

Approximately 30 or more local youth from a Samoan Christian organization connected to www.yfcasiapacific.com.au  help when the Mission is on by organizing the villages to go to, providing transport, interpreters and any other practical help that is needed. They often give up their holidays to do this and donate their time free of charge.

How is it funded?

All clinicians and staff are encouraged to raise their own funds from donations by individual sponsors, church groups or businesses. Medical supplies are often donated by drug companies or funded by the doctors themselves. The total cost of each Mission is approximately $60,000.

There is no financial support from the government and unfortunately they do not provide tax deduction on any funds donated (though this is being currently looked at).

When is the Mission being conducted this year?

The dates for the mission will be Friday, 8th July till Sunday 17th July 2011

How can you help?

Most of the cost of the mission is connected to airfares and accommodating the staff when they are in Samoa. While many of the staff can afford their own airfares some cannot and have to raise their own finances. Added to this is the cost of sending supplies over (about $5000), purchasing equipment to operate the clinic and buying glasses to dispense in the eye clinic.

What difference will your donation make?

Because medical help is not freely available in these villages many develop conditions that are either life threatening or debilitating. Those with eye conditions go blind as there are no eye specialists in Samoa that can perform simple cataract surgery or effectively treat infections they may have. Those who cannot afford glasses cannot read or further their education.

Where can I donate?

Donations can be sent to:  BSB: 112 879 A/C 064081145.                                                                  
Please mark all donations    Samoan Medical Mission. 

Thank you for your support!