Hi there!

My name is Shane McCarthy and I am a Registered Nurse at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.  

Despite what you hear and read in the media, our health system is pretty good in comparison to some countries around the world. That's why I am volunteering with Open Heart International, and traveling to Fiji and using my time and skills to help.

Open Heart International is a humanitarian agency who facilitates surgical best practice in disadvantaged communities so that the help we provide last lifetimes.

As a team we will be focused on providing surgery to those suffering from congenital heart defects as well as rheumatic heart disease. Surgery for these complications is not currently available in Fiji, and Open Heart International is one of four visiting teams that assist the entire country. Demand for surgery consistently outweighs the number of surgeries that can actually be achieved. Even with our maximum efforts in place there may still be patients we cannot operate on.

Often when we think of Fiji we conjure up images of white sandy beaches, a tropical paradise. Unfortunately, the reality is that while Fiji has one of the most developed economies in the South Pacific, living conditions for the average Fijian family are far removed from the luxuries of resort style living. There are estimates that up to 25% of the population live below the poverty line, which is a lifestyle maintained on less than $1.25 per day.

During this two week intensive period, a team of over 40 surgical and non-surgical volunteers are active with the goal of achieving as many successful surgeries as clinically possible.

By supporting this important work you are providing much needed funds to support the project costs including supplies, travel expenses, and equipment. Taking large teams and lots of equipment around the world doesn't come cheaply, so every single piece of support will help make a difference.

By bring modern surgery, training, equipment, and community education to where they are needed most, we're not just saving lives today, we're transforming a whole community's ability to save lives ongoing. And that's one of the most valuable gifts we can possibly give to other human beings.

To donate, simply click on the Donate Now button.  Your donation is secure, and you will receive your tax deductible receipt via email instantly.

Still need convincing? Here's a couple of extra reasons why:

Your Donation lasts long after you give it. We don't believe in one-off miracle cures - instead we commit to long-term community-wide change. Our programs delivery life saving operations, as well as local medical training, so your impact lives long after a project ends.

We're powered by volunteers. For over 30 years our projects have been run by volunteers - last year alone we had 305 volunteers helping 542 patients across 15 major project visits - meaning you know your donation is reaching those in need.

Decades of delivery. We've been building capacity in communities in needs since 1986. In that time we've not only helped countless people across the globe, we've honed our business side to stretch every donations as far as possible.