March 19, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

6th Annual Walk to Africa Fundraiser Held in Santa Monica:

It would be an understatement to say that the health care demands in Africa left a lasting impression on Dr. Robert Hamilton.

For 16 years, he and his volunteer organization, Lighthouse Medical Missions, have been traveling to Africa in order to provide sufficient health care to the thousands in need.

Though he was initially hesitant, Dr. Hamilton immediately “fell in love with Africa and its people” upon his first trip in 1998.

He and his organization have now gone on a total of 22 trips to various nations, including the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Benin, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and more.

In total, Dr. Hamilton has taken about 400 unique individuals to Africa, keeping in mind another long-term goal of “introducing people to Africa.” They typically take about two trips per year.

As a result, they have been able to provide care to an astonishing number of about 60,000 patients.

The services of Lighthouse Medical Mission take the form of a “short-term medical fair.” The care providers and volunteers open a type of convention center and treat acute illnesses as well as some chronic illnesses.

Those with conditions like hypertension, diabetes, malaria, and pneumonia can all be effectively treated. The desperate need for improved health care services is exemplified through the fact that such curable illnesses are regularly untreated and unnecessarily endured.

“Sometimes I come back and wonder if it was all a dream,” Dr. Hamilton said.

Thousands of people line up for hours in order to receive the services provided by Dr. Hamilton and his team, who try to meet other basic needs as well.

Among the provided tools include toothbrushes, toothpaste, hygiene kits, and prenatal vitamins for pregnant women. Also, thanks to the donations of the Croc company, hundreds of pairs of feet have been given shoes. Another organization based in the Pacific Palisades, Dollies Making a Difference, has graciously contributed to the distribution of dolls to the youth in Africa.

Lighthouse Medical Mission’s most recent trip last month brought along with it dangerous circumstances: ebola, a highly lethal virus, was channeled for the first time in an urban environment in Conakry, the capital of Guinea.

After suspected cases of ebola broke out in the Gambia, where Dr. Hamilton had opened up a clinic, it was decided that the situation became much too risky, especially for his team of volunteers. After two days of providing care, Dr. Hamilton “sadly and regrettably” made the decision to close the clinic, as a quarter of those who die from ebola are health care workers. However, he and his team were still able to take care of 1,500 people in a manner of a couple of days.

“We still feel like we have unfinished business,” Dr. Hamilton said. He and his team plan on returning to Africa to the nation of Guinea Bissau this fall.

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 17, marks Lighthouse Medical Mission’s sixth annual Walk to Africa in Santa Monica.

As its centerpiece fundraising effort, Walk to Africa is largely what makes all of the organization’s philanthropic trips financially possible. Participants can choose between a two-, four-, or eight-mile walk beginning at Crescent Bay Park, just south of Shutters on the Beach Hotel.

The event is open to all ages and dog-friendly.

The walk will feature an upbeat, family-fun zone after the walk, with face painting, games, and other forms of entertainment.

Special guests like former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan and other dignitaries will also be present.

Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for children, and $40 at the door. Online registration is available.

For more information, visit walktoafrica.com or lighthousemedicalmissions.com.

in News
Related Posts

Time is Running Out To Give Public Input on Malibu’s Revised Housing Element

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

City Asks Residents to Comment on Strategies for Addressing Housing Needs The City of Malibu has released an updated Revised...

Fatal Crash Claims Life of Woman on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Accident Victim Identified in Thursday Night Accident A woman tragically lost her life in a Thursday evening crash along the...

California Wildlife Center Responds to Distressed Marine Mammal at Little Dume Beach

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Third Gray Whale Stranding of 2024 Prompts Concern in Malibu On the morning of Saturday, March 16, the California Wildlife...

Woman Drives Car In Ocean After High Speed Police Chase

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Law enforcement officers pursued her along the I-110 and I-405 until she reached the vicinity of Venice Beach A woman...

Santa Monica Authorities Seek Public’s Help After Sexual Assault Incident

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

SMPD Urges Anyone With Information to Come Forward Authorities in Santa Monica are seeking information from the public after a...

FBI Seeks Victims of Alleged Online Exploitation Scheme Allegedly Run by Resident of Santa Monica

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Individuals Urged to Come Forward in Investigation of John Douglas Burch The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is urging individuals to...

(Video) Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD Responds to News of Nex Benedict’s Cause of Death

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, responds to the release of the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Ruling on Nex...

Venice Family Clinic Announces Inaugural HEART Gala to Celebrate Health and Art

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Event Honors Creative Community and Supporters of Vital Health Care Services Venice Family Clinic, a non-profit community health center dedicated...

“Love Lies Bleeding” is Ripped: Actress Katy O’Brian Talks Love, Sex, and Vulnerability

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Katy O’Brian is a Breakout Star Who Shines in Loving and Hilariously Violent Crime Film English film director Rose Glass’...

Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier Sold to SC Holdings, $10M Investment Planned

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

The Cultural Institution Set for Exciting Upgrades Santa Monica Amusements LLC (SMA), the operating group of Pacific Park on the...

Woman Returns $1K Worth of Stolen Items After Store Finds Her Social Media Account

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

For the Owner, the Incident Is Perhaps Indicative of an Environment at the Palisades Village Where Smaller Businesses Are More...

LAPD Identify Suspect Who Struck 6-Year-Old Girl Last Weekend

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

An Arrest Was Made Following “Another Incident” in Venice By Zach Armstrong  The Los Angeles Police have identified Ahsante Lamar...

SMC to Host Free Screening of West Coast Hip Hop Documentary

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free Presentation Includes Audience Q&A with Hip Hop Icons Santa Monica College (SMC) is set to host a complimentary screening...

IRS Launches Direct File Pilot of Free Filing Tool for Taxpayers in California, 11 Other States

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free, Convenient Online Tax Filing Option Now Available for Eligible Individuals The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the official launch...

SMPD Arrests Man Who Allegedly Attacked Girlfriend, Brandished Replica Firearm at Her Daughter

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

The Man Faces Charges of Felony Domestic Violence and Misdemeanor Child Abuse A suspect is in custody after a domestic...