Road Trip-Dien Bien Province 2025

It's been a very busy time here in Vietnam.   Just completed a 3 week road trip which took us to 3 of the most remote provinces on the Laos and China borders: Binh Dinh, Lai Chau and Lao Cai.   June 1st at 5:30am members of our team and specialists from Hanoi set off for a 14 hour drive to Binh Dinh province.  

On arrival we were warmly greeted by over 250 families and children awaiting surgery.
Over the 3 week trip we performed over 500 life changing surgeries.   

My fondest memory from our trip was tears of joy.   So many parents and children could not hold back the tears when expressing their gratitude for helping their family and children receive the life changing care that they could not afford.  I feel so blessed to represent Team USA and only wish you could be here to receive first hand the so many heartfelt  words of appreciation.   Your selfless support is impacting so many lives.
Example:  We had a young man who came to the program for an issue with his leg.  During the exam and testing it was discovered that the boy had developed bone cancer and would need to go to the National Children's Hospital in Hanoi for treatment.  The diagnosis alone was devastating but to complicate the situation the family can not afford the $200 it would take to get the treatment in Hanoi.   Since this type of treatment is outside the scope of our program they asked if Team USA could provide the $200 to cover the cost of care in Hanoi.
Easy decision for me to make such a small investment to ease the pain for this family and to give this young man an opportunity for proper treatment at the finest Children's Hospital in Vietnam,   Upon receiving the news that Team USA would cover the cost, the mother and patient could not hold back the tears in appreciation.   So from them to you THANK YOU. 
Here is the google photo link with photo's from our surgery week in Binh Dinh province,

Photos from Lai Chau and Lao Cai province to follow.

Regards,
Bob McGarry

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