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News & Events:June 17 2010 A.M.S. Welcomes Two New Patients From Iraq
June 09 2010 A.M.S. Welcomes Two New Patients to Los Angeles From Iraq on June 16th, 2010 By: Albert Davidoo
Contact: Linda Badalof, COO
Assyrian Medical Society Phone (818) 501-8866 http://www.facebook.com/l/0d06a;www.assyrianmedical.org A.M.S. Welcomes Two New Patients to Los Angeles From Iraq on June 16th, 2010. Shriners Hospitals for Children has approved full treatment for the care of two new patients. Encino, CA, June 9, 2010: The Assyrian Medical Society, working in conjunction with the Shriners Hospitals for Children, is pleased to continue providing needed medical treatment for children without proper resources or accessibility of care in their homeland. The AMS has four active patients currently undergoing treatment; which will total eight patients by early July. Please help us in welcoming the following two patients to the Los Angeles area. Nahrin Yousif, age 13, traveling with her mother, Sukaina Odeesho, are seeking treatment for scoliosis. Nahrin has a significant deformity of the spine. With successful surgery, she may live a normal, functional life. Without help, she will continue to have complex respiratory complications and will run the risk of developing further deformities, pain and functional debilities. Baher Gorgees, age 12, will be accompanied by his father, Shamooni Zaya, for treatment of congenital torticollis. Baher suffers from the shortening of the neck muscle on one side, causing a permanent tilt of the head. Treatment will eliminate the risk of Baher suffering from visual problems if not repaired. Your support in welcoming Nahrin and Baher to Los Angeles is much appreciated. We have been honored with great donors sponsoring certain children’s transportation and living expenses. We thank the American Veterans of Iraq Organization and Dr. Sargon Lazarof of Encino for providing the recent transportation costs for Tabarek and grandmother, and Maryna and her mother. Please visit http://www.facebook.com/l/0d06a;www.assyrianmedical.org for further information regarding the patients mentioned and how you too can make a difference in the lives of so many children needing our immediate help. Let us work together in changing the lives of one family at a time. "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." ---Confucius
May 14 2010 The Assyrian Medical Society and its Increasing Role in Saving the Lives of so Many Assyrians By: Ashur Sada (ACSSU of Canada, Public Relations) Feb 2010
The Assyrian Chaldean Syriac Students Union (ACSSU) of Canada was proud to present the second presentation of the 2009-2010 lecture series given by the Assyrian Medical Society (AMS). This lecture featured ACSSU’s own Dr. Nenos Damerchie along with two representatives from the Assyrian Medical Society in the United States Ms. Anita Davidoo and Ms. Chantel Younan. Dr. Nenos Damerchie happens to also serve as a Director for the AMS in Canada. The Assyrian Medical Society is a humanitarian organization dedicated to serving Assyrian children, families, and their communities stricken by the war and famine in Iraq. Although the membership is predominantly Assyrian, the representatives of AMS were quick to announce that over 70% of donations made are by non-Assyrians. The presenters spoke about the history of the organization and the vision for the future. It is now an organization that is quickly expanding and growing and currently has successfully taken on over 120 patients, both Assyrians are non-Assyrians. In California, the AMS has been working closely with the Shriners Hospital for Children to treat the children that do qualify for care in the United States. We were fortunate enough to also have a young male patient by the name of Samer Butros from Iraq who had been treated by AMS at the Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles. He spoke to the audience about his circumstance and experience. Videos were displayed showing a number of patients and members, which touched the hearts of the audience. Dr. Nenos Damerchie concluded the presentation by communicating the vision for the organization in Canada and internationally. For further information the audience was directed to its website www.assyrianmedical.org which contained a wealth of information. Afterwards volunteer applications were handed out and a number of individuals applied. ACSSU was proud to present the Assyrian Medical Society with a donation to continue its humanitarian efforts worldwide.
March 31 2010 “The drum beat for Yousef Emad Dakho begins in the River Jordan” By: Helen Talia, Chicago March 2010
Yousef Emad Dakho is a three and one half year-old child from Iraq whose family recently became refugees in neighboring Jordan, like many other Iraqi families, hoping to re-establish home away from home.
An only child to his family, Yousef fell ill to an early childhood disease that left his hearing impaired, therefore never developing the ability to speak. His only hope to ever developing “normally” was through a cochlear transplant surgery for a price tag of $28,000, a surgery that his family could never afford, not even on an engineer’s salary back home in Iraq, not even after the family had sold all their personal possessions.
Then the patient was referred to the Assyrian Medical Society by Reverend Yousif Hashweh of the Alliance Church of Amman, Jordan, whose congregation had raised a substantial amount of donations towards the child’s surgery treatments, yet still more was need. Meanwhile, the Assyrian Medical Society had previously committed to twenty-four medical cases, and thus it could only donate a small portion of Yousef’s medical expenses.
But despite its limited resources, the society proceeded to intervene on the child’s behalf by recommending a specialist to review his case (medical reports), where it was determined that a surgery was necessary before the age of five in order for it to be effective, due to sound signal stimulation. Medical Director of the Assyrian Medical Society Dr. Samir Johna contacted a few companies that manufacture the transplant device and tried to get it at a discounted rate, where the best rate was found in Jordan, at a cost of $20,000, in addition to other fees for post-surgery speech therapy and rehabilitation.
Finally, the surgery for young Yousef was secured, as the Thomas Deierlein Foundation committed to 50% of the total cost, while the Medical Relief Project of the Assyrian Medical Society approved an additional 12.5%.
The surgery has been completed in Amman, Jordan, and the child has made the expected recovery. Next, he will be undergoing speech therapy to complete his rehabilitation.
Acknowledgements ~ Thomas Deierlein of the Thomas Deierlein Foundation in New York and Reverend Yousif Hashweh and his congregation at the Church of Alliance in Amman, Jordan.
March 28 2010 AMS Recieves 501 (c) (3) Status
March 27 2010 AMS Donates $2500 to Shriners Hospital in honor of the late Sargon Yousif
February 11 2010 Press Release By: Linda Bandalof Assyrian Medical Society Founder, Dr. Samir Johna, attends a Commission Ceremony at West Point, NY and recognizes US Army Second-Lieutenant, Marikay Satryano, with a special plaque honoring her humanitarian efforts while serving on the Civil Affairs Liaison Team, US Embassy, Amman Jordan in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004 through 2007...
February 10 2010 Assyrian Medical Society Celebrates 100th Patient By: Carolyn Odisho
Marcus Tullius Cicero says it best “While there’s life, there’s hope.” Miracles can happen everyday and dramatically change the footprints of our lives. Daniel Younathan, an aspiring 17 year old refugee in Amman, Jordan, came to understand the meaning of finding the footprints of hope while qualifying to receive medical assistance through Assyrian Medical Society; marking Daniel as the one-hundredth patient to receive aid. Assyrian Medical Society is honored to have been able to help so many children around the world and has the vision of making great things possible for many more patients in the future.
Assyrian Medical Society celebrates the success of bringing new hope to patients and is very grateful for the many volunteers helping to make patient aid a success. Special thanks to the many doctors and medical staff of various countries that help make patient care a possibility; and finally to the donors because without your support our relief efforts would not exist.
“New Hope, New Smiles.”
Assyrian Medical Society started offering patient aid in October of 2008, opening its arms to one miracle after another. The Assyrian Medical Society is a humanitarian organization dedicated to serving Assyrian children, families, and their communities stricken by the war and famine in Iraq. AMS started with a group of 3 individuals all sharing the same vision of offering hope and support to those in need. Today the organization has grown with volunteers of all aspects of life including Doctors, CPAs, Engineers, and many other professions. Each individual brings a different piece of diversity to the table.
However, these are not the only people that can help; each one of us can change the lives of many with a just a small step. “There are way too many good people; we just have to find them." – Dr. Samir Johna, MD. Even the simplest task of spreading the word on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace can make a dramatic difference to inspire someone to donate, or offer their time and support.
AMS looks forward to helping many more patients; Daniel is not the only success we celebrate. Baby Kirillos, age 1 at the time, suffered from congenital heart disease known as Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). He underwent a successful corrective heart surgery by the world renowned and a pioneer in pediatric cardiac surgery, Dr. Leonard Bailey on August 15, 2007. Baby Kirillos, a bouncing baby boy, currently lives in Toronto, Canada and is in excellent condition. Take for example: Baby Araden, a 4 year old girl, suffering from congenital defect in her heart (ASD). The child successfully underwent the treatment in France in June of 2008, and was brought back to Syria in excellent condition.
Daniel’s Story: Danny, now 17 years old, has a long history of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis, and he developed secondary hyperparathyroidism. As a result, he developed bilateral Genu Valgus deformity of lower extremities at the level of his knees. This has been causing a lot of pain and discomfort. The Medical Relief Project of AMS and the Global Hope Network of Amman, Jordan have shared the cost of performing the final stage of osteotomy for the right knee. Danny is reported to be in good condition. Although we may not be directly related through blood, but we are related through hope; and only together can we alter the footprints of our lives.
January 25 Sargon Yousif Passes Away The Assyrian Medical Society is sadden to report of the recent passing of Sargon Yousif.
Starting about mid-December, Sargon suffered from cecal volvulous (bowel twisting) which required urgent laparotomy surgery. He survived the surgery but developed aspiration pneumonia. Needing direct feeding, a third surgery was performed laparoscopically. Unfortunately, it is common for patients with such complications as Sargon to have the tube come out, leading to peritonitis and passing Friday, January 19th, 2010. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family. Services will be held on: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 12:00pm Noon
December 25 2009 Message From AMS
November 07 2009 Ashur Bet Sargis and three angels from bet Nahrain (Kherota, Solen and Arbela)
October 25 2009 Sargon Yousif Sees Life in a new Perspective
Sargon Yousif, age 19, has never owned a wheelchair until a recent gift was made possible by the UCP, Wheels for Humanity organization.
Assyrian Medical Society shared in the enthusiasm felt by Sargon as he was placed in the custom-made chair for the first time. His excitement, anxiety and thrill of watching the new faces around him were evident in his eyes and smile.
Sargon was born with Cerebral Palsy and has been living on the floor of his bedroom, cared for by his loving mother and three sisters. His father was fatally attacked by insurgents in Iraq prior to the family taking refuge in the United States a little over a year ago.
With the help of the reclined wheelchair, Sargon now has a new perspective on life, seeing a different horizon and dimension of his family’s faces, the room, and the view from the window. The greatest joy was in his face as he was wheeled out of the home and into the courtyard, enjoying the warm sun. Until now, the only form of movement he experienced was by being carried in his mother’s arms, with very few moments of being outdoors.
Through the dedicated help of the United Cerebral Palsy, Sargon has had his first complete examination and evaluation done at the UCLA Cerebral Palsy Center. We look forward in sharing further new beginnings with Sargon, taking one-step at a time together.
Linda Badalof
October18 2009 RAMEEL NISSAN - AMS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2008
AMS awarded 'Volunteer of the Year 2008' to Rameel Nissan a student from OTIS University planning to get Masters Degree in Architecture from USC.
Rameel has been working with AMS for 2 years helping serveral AMS patients such as DEVIN and ROBIN's family, SAMER, SOLEN, ARBELLA and KHIROOTHA.
AMS team would like to thank Mr. Nissan for all his efforts and hope that his example would inspire more youth to get invovled.
"Make people happy = Make your INNER SELF happier" Rameel Nissan
October 16 2009 Finding Ramsen Sheeno in the life of Sargon Yousif
Sargon Yousif has been laid-up on his bedroom floor since January 18, 1990 where he was born to an Assyrian family in Basra, a province in Iraq, notorious for its “Southern Hospitality.”
“Lying on the floor,” notes Albert Davidoo, Chairman of the Assyrian Medical Society during a recent visit to the Yousif residence in Granada Hills, California, “I noticed that Sargon’s body curves in a 90-degree angle.” “Sitting next to him while stroking his hair, I could not help but drench in a moment of sorrow as I wept for this young man whose torso had never been lifted above ground-level. Suddenly he began making unfamiliar noises, while his body shook, as he began throwing his arms in different directions. When I asked his mother, she explained to me that her son was happy that there were two men in the room.” “It was then that I made the connection. Before taking refuge in the United States, Sargon’s father was killed by insurgents in Iraq, in a devastating auto shooting, that left Sargon and his three sisters, Katherine, 17, Sweden, 14, and Moreen, 10, fatherless, and their mother, Marlin, a widow. Without a doubt, Sargon and his family need a lot of support. For one, through the help of a few friends and neuron surgeons, the Assyrian Medical Society has been able to provide for a wheelchair from the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Wheels for Humanity, among other equipment, necessary for his living condition. Furthermore, the family needs immediate help transporting Sargon to Shriners Children Hospital – Los Angeles, where he will undergo physical therapy treatments and meet with social workers. The family as a whole needs work-up with the Department of Human Services, with special education (tutoring) for the girls in the general study areas of mathematics, biology and history, along with necessary financial support. After assessing Sargon’s medical needs, and the family’s overall living conditions, suddenly I noticed a photo of Assyrian entertainer Ramsen Sheeno enshrined on the door of the small bedroom that Sargon shares with his three sisters. “I gestured to the mother, asking what this was all about, and in her words she said “my son stares at the picture and loves to listen to Ramsen Sheeno’s songs.” “How do you know?” I asked. She said, “After 19 years of being with him, I can tell you when he is in pain and when he is happy. Ramsen is our family idol. ” Ramsen Sheeno was last spotted at the 76th Annual Assyrian National Convention in Chicago where he helped promote the Assyrian Medical Society by handing out the organization’s T-Shirts at the outdoor picnic. Since then, his humanitarian path must have caught up with him elsewhere. I suppose it is when we least expect it, God places virtues on our hearts. Ramsen Sheeno, you are our hero! May your path continue to inspire a “Road to Love.”
Spotted photo of Ramsen Sheeno in the Yousif family memoirs is from album cover “Door Alee,” released in 2006, titled after his groundbreaking song “Door Alee” written by Canadian Assyrian lyricist Dawod Barkho. Update ~ During the first week of November, Ramsen Sheeno and Albert Davidoo, Chairman of the Assyrian Medical Society will be visiting with the Yousif family. For further information about the Assyrian Medical Society, visit www.assyrianmedical.org.
September 29 2009 Assyrian Medical Society Responds to Refugee Medical Concern
September 24, 2009 Short shuttle ride turned into fund raising project for Assyrian medical Society.
By, Linda Badalof, Correspondence Secretary of Assyrian Medical Society
In a short shuttle ride during the National Convention recently held in Illinois, this group of young adults experienced a moment that has become an inspiration to each of us. They shared in a spontaneous effort of collecting a monetary contribution from those riding on the bus at that moment, for our Assyrian children needing special medical attention.
May all the participants continue to flourish in their desire of contributing to those in need, instilling a lifetime humanitarian focus. The group photo provided essentially captures the true mission of the Assyrian Medical Society - providing Assyrian children the opportunity to recover, mature and continue to grow. Indeed, the most significant goal we can hope to accomplish is having the patients learn about such caring role models as this group, serving their community. Our Special thanks to Natalie Babella - San Jose, California and her family and friends for the ongoing support for the Assyrian Medical Society, and also for sharing this great story with us. God bless our youth and our Assyrian nation.
September 21, 2009 Assyrian American National Federal names Zeena Yonkers, Ph.D Woman of The Year
Zeena Yonkers, born Zeena Tawfik, was a child when her journey around the Middle-East began with her benevolent parents, between Iraq, where she was born, Lebanon and Kuwait, before making the United States her home.
Her unique story of activism began rather early in life, when she sought to reform social injustices to bring balance to communities. A clever onset that has led to an awakening of an enriched life of education and experience, combined with empathy and grace.
Zeena earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut with a major in Psychology and a minor in Anthropology. Her graduate work was completed at the joint UCLA/ Loyola Marymount program, majoring in Clinical Psychology. But somehow, her career in the Assyrian community has always been in the making all the while she was pursuing her education. As a teen, she started a youth group at her local church, and later set-up a refugee support group to facilitate cross-culture transition.
Within the walls of the Assyrian American National Federation (“A.A.N.F.”), a non-profit humanitarian organization that was originally started in 1933 to respond to the casualties of what became known as the Simmel Massacre, where “an estimated 3,000 Assyrians were massacred,” Zeena’s finger prints are everywhere.
For ten consecutive years, Zeena was the Director of the Youth Initiative Program, where she co-founded the Youth Camp Lamassu, and currently serves on the National Committee of the Youth Excellence Contest. She has also served as the Eastern Regional Director, assisted the president, chaired last year’s convention, and now Zeena holds the second highest executive office seat, the Executive Vice President.
Among her noteworthy professional accomplishments are the publication of thirty-some articles, papers, and poster presentations in various medical journals in the American Psychological Association and Neuropsychiatric Association. Some of Dr. Yonkers’ publications and presentations include “Momentary Pain and Coping in Temporomandibular Disorder Pain,” “Youth and Spirituality,” “The Relation of Criminal Justice and Minority Status to Adolescent Reporting of Substance Use,” “A Comparison of Problem Gambling and Non-Problem Gambling, Youth Seeking Treatment for Marijuana Abuse,” and “Clock Drawing in Schizophrenia. A Qualitative Analysis.”
Currently, she is a researcher and teaches graduate courses in the field of Behavioral Science at the University of Connecticut Health Center. She is also co-authoring two manuals “Prevalence of Depression During Pregnancy and The Postpartum,” and “The Effects of Lithium on Cognition in Bipolar Disorder,” currently in press.
She appreciates her ancestor’s journey to the new world while admiring their dedication to protecting one another and preserving their culture and history. Her grandfather, Zackaria BetBabaZaya, migrated with his family as a small child from Northern Iraq to the Republic of Georgia and forced back out of there to Northern Iraq where he was a decorated Assyrian Levy and protected his people. Her grandmother Maria Issa Petrous was born into a religious family from the line of Mar Yousip. Her healing abilities handed down to her enabled her to take in people with ailments and cure them. Her grandparent’s combination of soldier and healer and parent’s generosity and love is imprinted in her .
Together with husband Dr. Paul C. Yonkers, Zeena is also busy raising two sons, Josef Antonious and Tomas Constantine where they have made Farmington, Connecticut their home.
This year at the 76th Annual Assyrian American National Convention in Chicago, Dr. Yonkers was honored with one of the most prestigious awards in the Assyrian community ~ “Assyrian Woman of The Year.”
The Assyrian Medical Society shares in congratulating Dr. Zeena Yonkers, also the Director of the Assyrian Medical Society in the East Coast, for her accomplishments.
Dr. Zeena Yonkers has set a marker in the history of Assyrian feminism, an inspiration to her peers, a celebrated doctor, and a gifted mother ~ congratulations!
~ Helen Talia, MBA, CPA Director, Chicago
Source: Malek, Y. (1935). British Betrayal of the Assyrians. Chicago, IL: Assyrian American National Federation and Assyrian National League of America.
September 10, 2009 From California ~ A Story of Courage and Hope
Meet Danny, 16, and Michael, 9, Peera, two brothers who have designed flyers that they’ve placed on recyclable cans and bottles at neighbors’ doors with a message that says “We Will Redeem These Cans and Bottles for Cash,” in an effort to raise money to help needy Assyrian children in Northern Iraq. They also offered a little incentive to pick up the cans and bottles from the neighborhood, and deliver them to their grandmother’s house in Modesto , where she was able to help the boys convert their goods into cash, by driving them to a nearby recycling center. Danny and Michael’s project collected a total of $200, which was donated to the Assyrian Medical Society.
This encouraging story was offered by Danny and Michael’s mother, Alberta . Congratulations Danny and Michael on your benevolent efforts, grandma for helping the boys, and to Alberta for raising such wonderful young men.
~ Helen Talia, MBA, CPA
September 08, 2009 Cry Beloved Nation
Jarmana , Syria ~ one of the most prevalent challenges faced by the Iraqi refugees is how to receive “just-in-time” financial aid and medical assistance.
Two million exiled Iraqis have fled their country, prior to, but especially since the fall of Saddam Hussein and the U.S. occupation, where the streets of Jarmana, a city south of Damascus, holds their relentless dreams, as well as the tears of an Iraqi mother who has been diagnosed with cancer, but can not afford treatments, and thus her three daughters hit the city streets at night to offer their young bodies, in an exchange for money, before it’s time for their mother’s next chemotherapy session.
Tel-Tamer , Syria ~ the death toll of Iraqi-Assyrians has reached hundreds. Father Bakus of Mar Sargis Church holds a Christian funeral sermon, while Romeo Iraqi and Rama Iskander of the Assyrian Aid Society wake up at 5 a.m. to dig into the fresh grounds of this beautiful Assyrian village, where they will wash and lay to rest the bodies of their dead, some family, many friends, from their ancestral homeland ~ Iraq, all buried without caskets. Each casket in Syria costs 20,000 Syrian Liras (“SL), while morgue refrigeration for a body is 6,000 to 7,000 SL.
Like other Middle-Eastern countries where healthcare is subsidized by the government, public hospitals in Syria rank among the highest in death rate within the region, due to malpractice. Known for administering the wrong medication, or the wrong dosage of medication, patients turn up in the morgue by the morning. “ Syria ’s healthcare, despite improvements in recent years, exhibits significant disparities in availability, and key indicators in Syria show that infectious diseases and illnesses remain serious problems.”
A few weeks ago Tahreer Al-Zubaidy, 28, collapsed at the center of the Assyrian Aid Society while seeking assistance for her ovarian tumor. She was rushed to St. Louis Hospital in Damascus where she underwent an emergency operation.
Mental illnesses, including major depressive disorders have become very popular among the Iraqis, due to high levels of stress. While depression and premature aging are interrelated, a 30-year-old male, who suffers from clinical depression, is mistaken for a 60 year-old.
An occupied apartment that is rented for 1,200 SL to a family of five is suddenly vacated and re-rented to another newly-arrived Iraqi family for 1,500 SL.
Yet, despite these dominating conditions in which they continue to live, Syria remains among the “best” host for Iraqi refugees in the Middle East by long shot.
These are only samples of the stories that tell of what the Iraqis are facing today while in refuge. And while the end always justifies the means, these are the means by which they are living ~ hostile, degrading, inhumane conditions. Nothing short of injustice to humanity, there is no running, nor hiding from the certainty of the dysfunction that the multiple wars and a U.S. led embargo of nearly thirteen years have served ~ a nation in exile, women in prostitution, premature birth defects, and high death rate. It has brought this old civilization down on its knees, pushed its population across international borders, by whatever means possible, crimes of hatred, rape, harassment, and even church bombings.
~ Helen Talia, MBA, CPA
Source: Wikipedia
September 01, 2009 Syria Opens the Gateway to Humanity for the Assyrian Medical Society
Indeed, there can be miracles when you believe ~ Following the medical cases of Virigina Elias, Tony Hedo, and Balsem Nissan who are currently continuing their treatments in Syria, the Assyrian Medical Society has been able to undertake more cases. Sargis Benyamen is a 17 year old Iraqi refugee in Syria who has been diagnosed with left ear tympanic membrane perforation that has failed non-operative management. If left untreated, the patient is at risk of hearing loss in that ear and recurrent infections and tinnitus. The patient was seen, evaluated, and was advised to undergo a surgical repair.
The Medical Relief Project of the Assyrian Medical Society had approved the necessary funds (15,000 SL) for tympanoplasty. The surgery was successfully performed.
Tahreer Mahmood Al-Zubaidy is a 28 years old Iraqi refugee in Syria who has been diagnosed with left ovarian tumor (Teratoma) for which surgical intervention was recommended. While visiting the representatives of the Assyrian Medical Society in Damascus, Syria to ask for help, she collapsed and was transferred immediately to St. Louis Hospital in Damascus, where an urgent surgical intervention was successfully performed.
The Medical Relief Project of the Assyrian Medical Society was able to cover the incurred cost of (30,000 SL). The patient is reported to be in excellent condition and is expected to make a full recovery.
Meanwhile at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Los Angeles, where Albert Davidoo is the Vice-Chairman and currently oversees the Iraqi refugee patients, case by case, “Little Solen,” who arrived with her mother Tara Israel last June, has completed two out of three surgeries and is waiting for her last one, which will most likely take place sometime in September.
Solen is a 6 years old child from Iraq who was born with a congenital absence of the right ear lobe. This will leave a life long psychological trauma on her. There are currently no capabilities to have it repaired in Iraq where she came from.
The Medical Relief Project of the Assyrian Medical Society was able to partnership with the Shriners Hospital for Children – Los Angeles, where Solen is given a chance for a plastic reconstruction, which involve a series of complex plastic surgery reconstruction procedures.
The Assyrian Medical Society applauds the international Assyrian community for supporting the greatest cause, to save humanity.
~ Helen Talia, MBA, CPA
August 25, 2009 The Assyrian Medical Society presents "Community Day ~ 2009" Coupon Campaign. sponsored by Carson Pirie Scott
On November 14, 2009, enjoy discounts of up to $60, plus an additional 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% off of already discounted merchandise on your purchases at Carson Pirie Scott department stores in the Midwest region. See our campaign ad in local Chicago business outlets and at the 76th annual Assyrian American National Convention in Chicago.
Please help network this campaign ad with your local Chicago community.
August 25, 2009 Assyrian Medical Society Sponsors Patients in SyriaMs. Virginia Elias is a 24 year-old Iraqi refugee in Syria who was diagnosed with a recurrent neuroendocrine nasal tumor (cancer) that was treated with chemotherapy, and is currently under several sessions of radiation therapy.
The patient has reached out to the Medical Relief Project of the Assyrian Medical Society [“AMS”] to sponsor some of her radiation therapy sessions.
The project has approved to cover some of the costs, totaling (21,000 Syrian Liras [“SL”]) to sustain the continuity of the treatment plan. The allocated financial aid was delivered to the patient through AMS representatives in Syria.
Mr. Tony Hirmiz Hedo is a 39 year-old Iraqi refugee in Syria who has been crippled by a ruptured right-sided nucleus bulbosus of the L5-S1 spinal vertebrae causing severe back pain. The patient was evaluated by a specialist in Syria who recommended an urgent operation to prevent permanent nerve damage.
The Medical Relief Project of the Assyrian Medical Society has approved to cover 50% of the cost of the surgery, a total of (31, 000 SL), that was successfully completed in August, 2009 at the St. Louis Hospital in Damascus, Syria.
Mr. Balsem Gular Nissan is also an Iraqi refugee in Syria who has been complaining of distortion of vision, with multiple vision and sensitivity to light. He was diagnosed with bilateral Keratoconus of the eyes that failed non-operative management.
The patient was referred to a specialist through the assistance of the Roman Catholic Church which has paid 75% of the cost. The Medical Relief Project of the Assyrian Medical Society has approved to cover the remaining 25% of the cost (22,000 SL).
The patient has successfully undergone intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation on one side and keratoplasty on the other.
On the horizon ~ Dr. Samir Johna, Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine has evaluated the medical report of Mr. Wilson Sargis Benyamen, a 46 years old Iraqi-Assyrian refugee in Syria who has a perforated tympanic membrane of the right ear that may have been due to a near by explosion. If not treated, he is subject to the loss of hearing in that ear and recurrent infections and tinnitus. A surgery called tympanoplasty is required which costs $430.
The Assyrian Medical Society has appropriated the monies for the treatment through its Medical Relief Project in Syria.
Also on Dr. Johna’s agenda is the medical report of Mr. Richard Danial Somo, also an Iraqi-Assyrian refugee in Syria who is 49 years old with microscopical hematuria. This patient is in need of a bladder cystoscopy (a procedure under anesthesia) to rule out and some times even treat early bladder cancers. This procedure costs about 30,000 Syrian Lira ($650).
This treatment, too, has been approved through the Medical Relief Project of the Assyrian Medical Society.
The Assyrian Medical Society in the United States extends its deepest appreciation to the following persons and organizations in Syria for their orderly assistance and timely intervention:
St. Louis Hospital in Damascus, Syria , The Assyrian Aid Society, Syria for their intercession on behalf of AMS patients to receive discounted medical treatments, and the Assyrian Medical Society representatives, Syria ~ Ms. Sargina Youshya and Mr. Yobert Ethnail. Mr. Benyamen Admon, Canada.
For more information, or to learn how you can help, please visit www.assyrianmedical.org.
~ Helen Talia, MBA, CPA Director, Chicago
August 21, 2009 Out of The Ruins of “Dur Sharukin” Comes a Shrine
In the Alchemist, Paulo Coelho writes that when we dream, the whole universe aligns itself to help us realize that which we dream. He speaks of Personal Legends, our calling in life, and that in meditation, we do in fact find that the world has a soul, and that the soul is found in every facet of life ~ face, plant, animal. They all have souls that are transmitted into physical forms that we encounter in our personal experiences. Some we take with us for the rest of our journey in this embodiment, while others are just lessons that we either learn from, or go back to the lesson once again.
I sat across from Salma Younan as she tearfully told me the story of how her son ended up in a wheelchair. Samer Butrus was eleven years old in 2003 when he was caught by a land mine that blew off his left leg and shattered his right one, while volunteering to help secure water in his village, Kremlish.
Out of the ruins of “Dur Sharukin” from the reign of “King Sargon” in the ancient Assyrian village of Kremlish, located in the heart of the Nineveh Plain, (Meshtakha D’Nineveh, Assyrian,) Samer came to us after undergoing an emergency surgery in Iraq which left him with above the left knee amputation and open fasciotomy wounds on the right leg, in addition to the damaged sensory nerve of the remaining right leg.
In Iraq, he had no chance of walking due to the lack of sensation in the remaining leg. He was offered another amputation that would have made it extremely difficult to walk, even if the proper prosthesis were to be found.
Back in the States, where Shriners Hospitals for Children – Los Angeles has become a “Shrine” for almost every Assyrian child that has visited the United States for medical treatments, the Assyrian Medical Society, through the intercession of its Chairman Albert Davidoo, who is also the Vice-Chairman at Shriners, was able to petition for Samer to undergo the necessary procedures, where he was accepted and has been for nearly one year.
The procedure, thus far, has been to save the right leg so that he can walk in it and use it as a natural crutch for the left leg prosthesis. He has also undergone nerve transplantation of the right leg three months ago. Just weeks ago, it was time to fit him in prosthesis for the right leg and for the first time since 2003, he is now able to walk and is finally free of his wheelchair.
Like most things in life, essentially everything has a way of working itself out. Samer, too, has made full circle with his recovery, as best as his limitations have allowed him to, without turning back. But finding cure for patients is more than just healing their physical challenges. It is giving hope to the desolated, far beyond what the war has taken away from them. It is the strengthening of the soul to connect to the fiber of humanity, oftentimes rendered by brokenness to the point of humility, which in turn births the capacity to serve mankind without any reservations or exceptions. After all, what good is it if in the process of healing the body, the soul is left without nurturing? In the end, what we each need the most is to heal those parts that are broken in us.
For Samer, despite physical limitations there is a far greater proof that the accident back in 2003 was not, but an intersection, because what God wants to do on the earth, He will do through intercessors. Today, despite the daunting ordeal that halted Samer’s volunteerism, God has placed upon the heart of Albert, who himself has become a “Shrine” of hope upon whose heart God has placed His desires. After all, Albert’s own intercession was not quite an accident either.
Throughout their journey together, these two men have bonded so much that they have perfected the “dance” of giving and receiving. Albert has exemplified the art of breeding a new generation of a philanthropist, demonstrated advocacy, and above all, instilled characteristics of a good human being in Samer. This is how succession happens, when the notion to serve humanity prevails above all else.
A good soul deserves a good body to live in ~ Still resolved to save those around him, Samer’s perseverance to salvage his ability to walk again is a testimony of will and a strength of character, qualities that distinguish survivors from victims. In summary, Samer has refused to be labeled by victimization.
In conclusion, I challenge my readers to answer the following question: How have you impacted another person’s life after having left a mark on it?
The Assyrian Medical Society would like to thank the following selfless volunteers who assisted with the completion of Samer’s medical mission ~ Dr. Srood Maqdasy, Mr. Salim Kako, the Assyrian Democratic Movement ~ Iraq.
Mr. Salim Alyawer (Abu Umar), United States Embassy ~ Jordan.
Dr. Norman Otsuka, Chief of Medical Staff ~ Shriners Hospitals for Children – Los Angeles, Wilson and Helen Nicolai, Romel Neesan (2008 Volunteer of the year), Ramina and Edward Sardarbikian and family, David and Nineveh Lazar, John Jacob and family, Yousif Jacob, Joan Mansour and family, Ashur Giwargis, His Holiness Mar Emmanuel of Mar Shallita Church ~ Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of The East, Gilbert Yousefpour, St. George Egyptian Church and St. Mary Assyrian Church of the East, Baba Adram, Ben Michael Fard, Ashur and Nanet Aghasi, Emil Rostamo, Charlie Pirayoo, Dr. Lorence Esho, Dr. Abdul Aziz, Dr. Youil Mamook, Mr. Youkie Khaninia, Zabo & Maggie, Nahrain Lazar, Nina Klyana, Marcos Marcos and many more ~ United States.
Dedicated to the loving memory of the late Archbishop Mar Paulos Faraj Rahho who bestowed the honor of “The Hero of Kremlish”upon Samer ~ “True love is not loving a person that is complete, but completely loving a person that is incomplete.”
To learn more about the Assyrian Medical Society, visit www.assyrianmedical.org.
~ Helen Talia, MBA, CPA Director, Chicago
August 01, 2009 Assyrian Medical Society Launches Poster Campaign "I AM ASSYRIAN"
Iraq ~ “a study was conducted by the World Health Organization to investigate the link between the steep rises in cancer and birth defects in the regions that were bombed by allied forces in the 1991 Gulf war.
“The framework included checking the levels of diseases, measuring the effects of DU and research. DU is what is left over after ordinary uranium has been enriched for use either in nuclear weapons or in reactors. It is used in shells and projectiles to enhance their armor-piercing capacity. When a depleted uranium round strikes a solid object like a tank, it bursts into a burning spray of radioactive dust. This dust can remain on site for years, and is claimed to have caused disease in both soldiers using the munitions and in the local populations affected.
In Iraq, 940,000 depleted uranium projectiles were fired during the 1991 conflict,” leaving behind astronomical number of birth defects in its already exhausted population. Among those born with birth defects are some of the most critical cases that the Assyrian Medical Society has undertaken.
Just last month, the Assyrian Medical Society concluded its heart surgery mission in Turkey, for five children who were all born with heart defects.
The Assyrian Medical Society is proudly launching poster campaign “I AM ASSYRIAN,” effective August 1, 2009, featuring Assyrian child David Giwargis, from Nohadra, (Dohuk), Iraq, who, through his image and message, will become the spokesperson for the Assyrian Medical Society on behalf of thousands of Iraqi children whose dreams have been sanctioned.
To learn more about campaign “I AM ASSYRIAN,” please visit the Assyrian Medical Society website on www.assyrianmedical.org.
Source: CNN News
~ Helen Talia, Chicago Director
July 22, 2009 Two Young Visitors from Iraq to Receive Vital Medical Careas a Result of Local Aid Efforts
With the assistance of the Assyrian Medical Society (“AMS”), two young children will be arriving in the United States from Iraq on July 29, 2009 to receive long awaited medical services. With travel and surgery logistics in place, the patients, each with one family member escort, are due to arrive in Los Angeles Airport where AMS will host them.
Khairotha Esho, a 9 year-old girl who was born with congenital absence of the left fingers, has a primitive hand with a complete wrist joint, but underdeveloped metacarpal bones and no fingers. She has a dysfunctional arm to which no therapies are available.
Arbella Amanwel Korsh, a 12 year-old girl suffers from severe scoliosis, a deformity of the spine that may become life threatening. Following her examination by a foreign medical team, the child was declared untreatable in Iraq due to the lack of proper health care, and was recommended to undergo the necessary surgery in advanced centers in Europe or the United States.
Through the intervention of the Assyrian Medical Society, both patients have been accepted by the Shriners Hospitals for Children – Los Angeles, where they will be admitted on August 3, 2009 to undergo surgery treatments and remain for the duration of their recovery.
For more information about these two young patients and to learn about the mission of the Assyrian Medical Society, visit www.assyrianmedical.org, or call 818- 501-8866.
Helen Talia, Chicago Director
July 6, 2009 Assyrian Medical Society ~ Turkey Mission
By: Helen Talia, MBA, CPA Director, Chicago
A friend from Iraq writes, “there is nothing here but dust, gravel, and concrete walls. All over, life is wasted.” He asked me to send pictures of foliage ~ trees, grass, plants, flowers, you name it! He went on to say, “I am well aware that I still exist, but I want to make sure that no one has forgotten me. I feel as if everything around me is moving, except me.” There is something very unnatural about these words, when we no longer feel that we co-exist in our environment, as we struggle with the duality of reason and balance.
The probability of trying to save the lives of Iraqi children was not on the agenda of any humanitarian organization. Thirty-some years ago when Iraq was at its height and the Iraqi people lived in prosperity, the country produced some of the most renowned A-list physicians and educators known within Iraq and across its borders.
Since then, Iraq was rebuilt after the Iraq-Iran war, its infrastructure demolished again after it invaded Kuwait, followed by a U.S.-imposed embargo in 1991, and the Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
The aftermath has left a devastated nation, displaced within its own borders, and an infrastructure that continues to spiral downward, with no proper education or medical care. It is said that more than any other nation in the world, the global disbursement of the Iraqis today makes up the highest rate of international exile.
Each time the sound of a bomb is heard, a child is traumatized, while another is orphaned. Iraq has become a graveyard, and its terrain has turned into a wasteland. Insurgents attack neighborhoods and set-up fake checkpoints to kidnap innocent people for the sheer love of mutilation. How many more lives will be sacrificed, and how much more suffering will this nation endure until it is released from the bondage of the debt it seems to have innocently incurred, not by its own admission, certainly not through its own fault. Is anybody listening?
The Gift of Life International, working concurrently with the Rotary Clubs International recently opened its gates to Iraqi children by providing them with the gift of heart surgeries with the assistance of the Assyrian Medical Society.
Thankfully, in neighboring country Turkey, the Rotary Clubs of Istanbul were far from turning a deaf ear to the cries of the Iraqi children who have paid an immeasurable price of pain and dwindling lives.
Not having proper communication channels in Iraq, the Rotary Clubs of Istanbul quickly turned to Rob Raylman, CEO of Gift of Life International, who established contact with the Assyrian Medical Society.
Therein Dr. Samir Johna from the Assyrian Medical Society in United States contacted its infrastructure in Iraq to locate and identify children who were born with debilitating heart conditions. Back in Iraq, the response of Dr. Srood Maqdosy from Erbil and Dr. Ahmed Kasim from Basra was swift. In a matter of days they prescreened and selected the patients, with no regards to ethnic or religious backgrounds. The patients were then transported to Istanbul, Turkey where their surgeries were performed and recoveries took place before heading back home to Iraq. The Rotary Clubs of Istanbul, Turkey has provided five heart surgeries for Iraqi children. In addition to surgery costs, food and lodging, sightseeing costs have been appropriated for all five children and their escorts, usually a family member.
Little known to the world, Salwan Raed Salim, our first patent, a 14 year-old boy was born with pulmonary valvular stenosis. He suffered from fatigability and heart palpitation, particularly following physical activity. He underwent a successful balloon angioplasty and is reported to be in an excellent condition. Since his surgery, he has returned home to Iraq. Maia Mohanad Mikhael is our second patient, a 2 year-old child born with ventricular septal defect and subvalvular pulmonary stenosis. She underwent a successful open heart surgery, pulmonary valvuloplasty and closure of ventricular septal defect. She has been reported to be in an excellent condition and has returned home to Iraq.
Enabella Azad Yousif is our third patient, a 2 year-old child born with aortic stenosis and bicuspid aortic valve. An attempted balloon aortic valuloplasty had failed. This was followed by a successful open heart surgery, and aortic valvuloplasty. She has been reported to be in an excellent condition and has returned home to Iraq.
Ali Haider is our forth patient, a 3-year old child born with transposition of the great vessels. He had undergone a successful open heart surgery. He has been reported to be in an excellent condition and has returned home to Iraq.
And finally, Rawan Hazim Ali, is our fifth patient, a little over 2 year-old child born with tetralogy of fallot. He had undergone a successful open heart surgery for the repair of this birth defect. He is currently awaiting his final cardiac echo in Istanbul prior to returning back home to Iraq.
With the generosity of the Gift of Life International and the Rotary Clubs of Istanbul, Turkey, the Assyrian Medical Society is thankful for the conclusion of the cardiac mission for Iraqi children in Turkey.
Perhaps no other gift is more rewarding to be gotten than the gift of life. Humanitarians worldwide continue to do what they do best and that is to be humanitarians.
To learn how you can help, visit www.assyrianmedical.org July 2009
June 9, 2009 “Without Borders, Without Passports”
“Because we are here, they are in our hearts and souls; because they are there, we are in their dreams and prayers,” Albert Davidoo, Chairman of the Assyrian Medical Society referencing the destitute brothers and sisters affected by the war in Iraq.
It’s been two years since Baby Kirillos first arrived in United States to be treated for a congenital heart disease at the Loma Linda University Hospital, a story I had followed then. Two years later, I stood in the large halls of Los Angeles airport as Dr. Samir Johna, an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, told me that the Assyrian Medical Society has intervened and successfully facilitated over seventy medical rescue missions for children, and some adults, from Iraq, a commission that was originally set to undertake only one child per year.
There is no escaping the landmark that this humanitarian organization has achieved. It has accomplished its mission and more. With dedicated professionals and volunteers at its access, it is ready to take the next step ~ spread globally. Based in Southern California, the organization has already operated in eleven countries, including Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, France, Iran, Russia, Malaysia and the United States. Perhaps the key to its huge success has always been taking that next leap of faith, even when there was no net, all along relying solely on the generosity of its small community to help with patient costs, transporting them from one continent to another, and “sporadic” medical teams who oftentimes performed “charitable” surgeries.
“Without borders, without passports” ~ the Assyrian Medical Society does not turn away any patient, regardless of background or religious affiliation. Its founders Albert Davidoo, Dr. Samir Johna, and Youkie Khaninia have created this organization on the following formula: three perfect points of a triangle with equal sides and equal angles, equating brotherly love, truth and relief ~ a core value based on equality, accountability and honesty. “Today, this golden triangle has become a circle of over twenty volunteer members, symbolizing the first wheel, invented during the Assyrian Empire (c 3500 B.C), with God at its axis,” remarked Mr. Davidoo.
On Saturday, June 6th, 2009, I attended one of the most successful events in the history of the Assyrian community’s philanthropic outreach & development programs. The Assyrian Medical Society commemorated its first year operating as a fully-pledged 501(c)(3) (license pending) organization at the Sheraton Hotel in Universal City. The program entrenched the guests with documentary films highlighting patients’ lives, awards to key persons who have been instrumental in changing lives of patients and their families, one child at a time, and communities at large in Iraq ~ giving hope to the hopeless.
Bearing testimony to the importance of medical research, the night’s main speaker Dr. Daniel Darvish, a bio-medical research doctor, left no stone unturned while addressing the audience from his wheelchair about the importance of research study of a rare disorder to find a cure for Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy (HIBM), a rare muscle wasting disorder for which there is no treatment or cure yet available.
Still curious about medical intervention? A year ago Samir Naji arrived from Iraq after losing a leg in a landmine explosion. Today, he has undergone corrective surgery to condition his leg for proper prosthetics at Shriners Hospitals for Children - Los Angeles. The future looks even brighter for five year-old Solen Israel who just arrived from Iraq with her mother Tara Hanna to undergo surgery for obliteration of the external ear, also at Shriner’s.
The global Assyrian community and its friends salute the Assyrian Medical Society on its accomplishments and congratulate its first year anniversary. We look forward to a long partnership and reading more success stories in the years to come.
To learn how you can help, please visit www.assyrianmedical.org
Helen Talia, MBA, CPA Director, Chicago Assyrian Medical Society
March 05, 2009 New Website is Now Live!The Assyrian Medical Society has been created with you in mind - informative, interactive, and user-friendly. Our new feature, "online donation" makes it even easier for our donors to tithe while navigating through patient stories and photos. For questions or comments, contact us.
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