Pandion Optimization Alliance is proud to support The HUGS Foundation by providing medical and pharmaceutical supplies for their mission trips providing free surgical care to children with facial deformities all over the world.
This week, Pandion donated various supplies with Premier Inc. to assist HUGS (Help Us Give Smiles) in their mission to Antigua, Guatemala, taking place September 22-29. The organization will be running five OR’s per day during the trip, performing roughly 100 surgeries during their stay.
“We are so grateful for the donation. These medical products will go on our next mission and help us provide us safe and sterile surgery to our patients,” said Kim Palumbo, Executive Director of HUGS.
Pandion and Premier’s efforts are part of an on-going relationship which has helped supply the HUGS team of doctors, nurses, and volunteers with medical supplies, lab coats, booties, gloves, slipper socks, and more.
HUGS specializes in performing surgeries in Microtia, cleft lip, and cleft palates as well as surgeries related to trauma and burns. The non-profit foundation currently embarks on three missions a year to Guatemala, Ecuador, and Vietnam and returns to the same sites for continuity of care. Their medical mission teams have embarked on 29 trips, performing more than 1,200 surgical procedures.
“If not for these surgeries, many of the children would be rejected by their peers, community, and often even their own families”, said Dr. Vito Quatela, who created the foundation in 2003. “These surgeries not only enable children and adolescents to improve biological function and enhance appearance, but they are also afforded opportunities they could not have otherwise, such as assimilation into a family, a chance for a better education, and hope for new life”.
As a pioneer in the group purchasing and supply chain arena with strong roots in healthcare, Pandion is proud to support organizations like HUGS as well as other not-for-profit foundations, like Pencils and Paper.
Any members or outside organizations interested in donating additional products or supplies to the HUGS Foundation can contact Kim Palumbo at 585.244.1000.
