Written by Jeanne Chaussee
Guadalajara Reporter, Saturday, 26 July 2008
For the first time in many years, the Chapala Red Cross isn’t struggling each month to keep its doors open and payroll obligations fulfilled.
Among other accomplishments this year by the International Red Cross Volunteers, enough funds were raised to keep this ambulance at the ready on the west end of Ajijic 24/7. The ambulance has answered 40 percent of Lakeside calls to the Cruz Roja. Photo by J. Chaussee.“ Thanks to the generosity and the investment of many in the Lakeside community, the Cruz Roja Chapala Delegacion is now operating in the black,” said International Volunteer chairperson Norm Pifer in a recent interview with the Guadalajara Reporter.
The critical first response service, which covers an area with a population of about 350,000, requires a 3,000,000 peso annual budget. It hires 36 employees: 14 ambulance drivers and paramedics, four dispatchers, five doctors, eight nurses, two x-ray technicians and three administrators. The clinic at the head of Calle Gonzalez Gallo in Chapala treats about 1,200 patients each month for everything from scorpion stings to broken limbs and heart attacks.
There are now four ambulances as fully stocked as those in the United States, with defibrilators and oxygen. They now travel on heavy duty shock absorbers, with good brakes and transmissions and new flashing lights have been installed for better visibility in traffic.
The Chapala Red Cross also maintains two rescue vehicles and three automobiles.
A substation has been installed on the west end of Ajijic with an ambulance on call 24/7. Since its installation eight months ago, it has provided assistance to 40 percent of the community’s ambulance calls, cutting critical response time in half in many cases. Drivers and paramedics are now equipped with special Nextel phones to augment radio communications with doctors and dispatchers.
Nearly two thirds of the Cruz Roja Chapala delegation staff recently completed a course in Medical English and the rest of the staff will soon follow. The course was designed and taught by a paramedic certified in the United States who recently returned to Lakeside and funded by donations through the local International Volunteer organization. It consists of classroom training in conjunction with a pocket-sized booklet for each participant indicating the term in Spanish and the English equivalent.
The Cruz Roja is funded by private donations only. Though those treated by the Red Cross may be presented with a statement itemizing the cost of the treatment, they are in no way legally obligated to pay. Some patients pay the full amount, some pay part and still others are unable to donate anything. Only about 50 percent of patient care costs are paid for by patients.
This year, the International Volunteers raised 700,000 pesos through fund-raising events locally. Their 501C3 non-profit corporation website has raised more than 75,000 dollars (U.S.) through Pay Pal. The 501C3 offers tax-deductible status in the United States and Canada. The “Colecta,” which brings in money from drivers and special collection cans in stores at Easter time, raised 200,000 pesos that stayed in the local Red Cross delegation.
Payments through the 501C3 non-profit corporation can be made through Pay Pal from Mexico as well as from abroad. Donations in “kind” can also be made through the 501C3 Corporation with United States and Canadian tax credits.
The 88-member International Volunteers organization is well represented at the delegation with four of its members, Norm Pifer, Charlie Klestadt, J.D. Lydic and Mike Patino on the board of directors.
Coming up on Friday, August 15, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., will be the Red Cross BBQ fundraiser with good food from Smitty’s Barbecue, live music, cash bar and desserts for sale. Look for tickets at the Red Cross table at the Lake Chapala Society.
Keep up the great work supporting the Cruz Roja Chapala Delegacion. It could save your life.
For any more information about donating time, money or goods to the Chapala Red Cross, contact Pifer at (376) 766-0616.