Chair
Bill Pickens
(Memphis East)
What is it?
Gift of Life Mid-South, a project of Rotary District 6800, brings children to Memphis for life-saving heart surgery at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Since 2007, Gift of Life Mid-South has served 75 children from 16 countries, including China, Kosovo, Honduras, and Uganda.
Gift of Life Mid-South is part of Gift of Life International (GOLI) and a network of more than 73 Gift of Life programs worldwide. Our program is one of 28 programs in the United States. Gift of Life International is a Rotary-based organization that over the past four decades has helped more than 18,000 children from emerging nations receive treatment for their heart disease. These children have come to the United States from 67 different countries and otherwise would not have been treated.
Who we are:
Gift of Life Mid-South is a Rotary-based project that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from developing countries who can not access the care they need. Now in its tenth year, the program, sponsored by Rotary District 6800, has brought 75 children from 16 countries to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
How it works:
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital provides the necessary medical care for the children. FedExFamilyHouse provides an amazing place for our children and their families to live while in Memphis. Rotary Clubs in District 6800 and a host of volunteers provide support with transportation, meals, and clinic visits. Our guests are treated like family when in Memphis.
Why it matters:
Each year more than five million children are born with congenital heart defects. Only six percent are able to get the care they need. Since 1975 Gift of Life International (GOLI) has helped 18,000 children around the world. There are 73 Rotary clubs involved in GOLI. The Mid-South program is one of only 28 programs in the United States.
More information?