Mercy Trips

Medical mission trips to Africa have become a passion for two Odessa doctors — and they need help in their efforts to help others.

“You will never feel so tired, yet so energized, so helpless, yet so needed, so inadequate, yet so appreciated, so out of place, yet so loved, so glad to be home, yet so wanting to return.”

This is the promise of Mercy Trips, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping bring medical and surgical care to the disadvantaged rural area of eastern Uganda.

For the second year, Odessans are gathering together to assist in the philanthropic effort through Mercy Trips Healthcare Outreach’s second annual New Year’s Eve Benefit Gala.

Last year’s benefit gala not only raised awareness of the Mercy Trips organization, but it also brought in some much-needed funding.

“We’re shooting for 900 people this year,” Dr. Craig Daniel, medical director of Trauma Services at Medical Center Hospital, said.

“We raised about $1,500 last year, but obviously, since we’re hosting two trips this year, we’d like to raise twice as much.”

Daniel is also president of Mercy Trips Healthcare Outreach and a veteran of five mission trips to Uganda.

This year’s benefit gala will include dance lessons and a performance from Love to Dance Studio, a dinner buffet, a cash bar, a DJ, dancing, live music from musical sensation Blue Mist of Austin and discounted hotel rates for those staying overnight.

Kyron C. Tamar, assistant professor of surgery at Texas Tech University Health Science Center and program director for the benefit gala, said the proceeds of this year’s gala will fund three areas of the trip.

“One is to help fund those people who have decided to accompany us to Uganda,” Tamar said, including nurses, medical technicians, physical therapists and teachers.

Tamar initially accompanied Mercy Trips to Uganda in January 2007.

Second, the money will be used to buy medical supplies and pharmaceuticals for the hospital.

And then finally, some of the money will go to help pay for the clinics and operations themselves.

“Last year 2,500 patients were seen in four days,” Tamar said. “And 33 surgeries were done in six days.”

Daniel said that his trips to the area have been among some his greatest life experiences.

“It’s really helped my growth as physician and a Christian to be able to reach out and help those who are in such dire need,” he said. “It’s gratifying, but sometimes it’s just so heart-rending because we can only do so much to help while we are there.”

With fund-raisers like the one planned Monday, the doctors can accomplish even more.

“This is a wonderful vision,” Tamar said, claiming that there was clearly a higher power involved. “And this year’s gala is definitely the place to be this New Year’s Eve.”