Rescuing Sofia
(click here for the later updates on Sofia after this post was made)
Her name is Sofia Mendez. She's an Aiesec trainee from Mexico currently having a traineeship in Accra, Ghana. This is her SN number: SN-In-MX-CJ-2005-1234. Right now she's in a medical emergency situation in Accra after attracting Septicemia, a deadly infection with 50% fatality rate that will require immediate attention (more info on Septicemia). Based on the recommendation of her doctors there, she will need to be airlifted out of Ghana because the medical facility in that country cannot handle her case. Her parents left Mexico this morning (Thursday, July 28, 2005) for Accra, Ghana and they will arrive tomorrow.
Aiesec Accra will be taking care of Sofia's parents. Aiesec Mexico MC is coordinating international donations to help pay for the emergency air ambulance.
The first viable air ambulance alternative is from International SOS which will fly Sofia out of Ghana for a proper emergency care in Switzerland. The estimated cost for this airlift is $80,000 US dollars. Half of that amount is already raised in Mexico, so they need another $40,000 dollars to save her life.
A cheaper airlift is being aggressively pursued right now but time is ticking by. We can lose her anytime.
So please help anyway you can and help spread the word.
$40,000 dollars can sounds a lot. However, there are 500 of us here in nomadlife and far many more in the Aiesec network. If each of us can raise $100 dollars (individually or from friends, family or peers), we can solve this money issue and save Sofia.
This is literally a life and death situation. Let's save her.
Thanks.
Dody G.
You can reach Aiesec Mexico via their website. Or you can call and talk to them directly at (52) 55 - 5564 - 2709. It will take you to a receptionist. Ask for "Aiesec Mexico" (or more like Ayysseec Mexico) and she will transfer you to the Aiesec Mexico MC Office. Ask for Gina, the MCP of Aiesec Mexico that is coordinating this rescue.
To Help
Via International Money Transfer (verified)
(previous raw weblog entry)
" The reason for this message is to request your support for fund raising since one of our students who was performing her traineeship in Ghana has had a health problem and it is necessary to transfer her to another city in order to receive better medical attention, Sofia has been in intensive therapy and it is necessary to transfer her by air ambulance and it is necessary to pay this transfer, thus we request your support to collect the requiered money ammount for this." (Aiesec in Mexico)
Info I get from calling the Aiesec in Mexico:
1. Total amount of money needed $80,000 dollars.
2. Money raised already $40,000 dollars in Mexico. We need to raise $40,000 more.
3. Their first alternative is International SOS, which will airlift her to Switzerland for care (this is where $80K cost comes from); A cheaper alternative is still being pursued but more money is definately needed.
4. They will write an info kit (FYI) that will state these facts that we can use to raise funds instead of just normal email spams.
5. All the money will go through Aiesec Mexico bank account so they can monitor the donation.
6. I'm helping them to set up a PayPal business account so you can contribute online using Credit Card.
This is the emergency we are talking about
"Septicemia is a serious, rapidly progressing, life-threatening infection that can arise from infections throughout the body, including infections in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. It may precede or coincide with infections of the bone (osteomyelitis), central nervous system (meningitis), or other tissues.
In Africa
Aiesec Ghana will be doing the reception of Sofia's parents once they arrive there. Her parents are leaving Mexico earlier this morning and it will arrive in Accra, Ghana tomorrow.
Aiesec Mexico
This is their website.
You can call them at (52) 55 - 5564 - 2709. It will take you to a receptionist. Ask for "Aiesec Mexico" (or more like Ayysseec Mexico) and she will transfer you to the Aiesec Office. Ask for Nina, the MCP that is coordinating this rescue.
And this is the direct line to the office (52 ) 55 - 5264 - 4294.
Her name is Sofia Mendez. She's an Aiesec trainee from Mexico currently having a traineeship in Accra, Ghana. This is her SN number: SN-In-MX-CJ-2005-1234. Right now she's in a medical emergency situation in Accra after attracting Septicemia, a deadly infection with 50% fatality rate that will require immediate attention (more info on Septicemia). Based on the recommendation of her doctors there, she will need to be airlifted out of Ghana because the medical facility in that country cannot handle her case. Her parents left Mexico this morning (Thursday, July 28, 2005) for Accra, Ghana and they will arrive tomorrow.
Aiesec Accra will be taking care of Sofia's parents. Aiesec Mexico MC is coordinating international donations to help pay for the emergency air ambulance.
The first viable air ambulance alternative is from International SOS which will fly Sofia out of Ghana for a proper emergency care in Switzerland. The estimated cost for this airlift is $80,000 US dollars. Half of that amount is already raised in Mexico, so they need another $40,000 dollars to save her life.
A cheaper airlift is being aggressively pursued right now but time is ticking by. We can lose her anytime.
So please help anyway you can and help spread the word.
$40,000 dollars can sounds a lot. However, there are 500 of us here in nomadlife and far many more in the Aiesec network. If each of us can raise $100 dollars (individually or from friends, family or peers), we can solve this money issue and save Sofia.
This is literally a life and death situation. Let's save her.
Thanks.
Dody G.
You can reach Aiesec Mexico via their website. Or you can call and talk to them directly at (52) 55 - 5564 - 2709. It will take you to a receptionist. Ask for "Aiesec Mexico" (or more like Ayysseec Mexico) and she will transfer you to the Aiesec Mexico MC Office. Ask for Gina, the MCP of Aiesec Mexico that is coordinating this rescue.
To Help
Via International Money Transfer (verified)
Bank: JP Morgan ChasePayPal (credit card donation)
SWIFT CODE: 021000021 CHASU533
Bank Account: 400047144 BMSXMXMM
Bank name account: Banco Santander Serfin SA
AIESEC Mexico A.C.
IBAN: 014180655013972868
Account: 65501397286
Branch :0474
Look up for "Sofia Mendez Rescue Fund (by Aiesec Mexico)". The paypal account goes directly to Aiesec Mexico Bank Account. They coordinate all the international donation for Sofia.Aiesec Mexico will coordinate all the inflow of international donation.
(previous raw weblog entry)
" The reason for this message is to request your support for fund raising since one of our students who was performing her traineeship in Ghana has had a health problem and it is necessary to transfer her to another city in order to receive better medical attention, Sofia has been in intensive therapy and it is necessary to transfer her by air ambulance and it is necessary to pay this transfer, thus we request your support to collect the requiered money ammount for this." (Aiesec in Mexico)
Info I get from calling the Aiesec in Mexico:
1. Total amount of money needed $80,000 dollars.
2. Money raised already $40,000 dollars in Mexico. We need to raise $40,000 more.
3. Their first alternative is International SOS, which will airlift her to Switzerland for care (this is where $80K cost comes from); A cheaper alternative is still being pursued but more money is definately needed.
4. They will write an info kit (FYI) that will state these facts that we can use to raise funds instead of just normal email spams.
5. All the money will go through Aiesec Mexico bank account so they can monitor the donation.
6. I'm helping them to set up a PayPal business account so you can contribute online using Credit Card.
This is the emergency we are talking about
"Septicemia is a serious, rapidly progressing, life-threatening infection that can arise from infections throughout the body, including infections in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. It may precede or coincide with infections of the bone (osteomyelitis), central nervous system (meningitis), or other tissues.
Septicemia can rapidly lead to septic shock and death. Septicemia associated with some organisms such as meningococci can lead to shock, adrenal collapse, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, a condition called Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome." (MedlinePlus)
In Africa
Aiesec Ghana will be doing the reception of Sofia's parents once they arrive there. Her parents are leaving Mexico earlier this morning and it will arrive in Accra, Ghana tomorrow.
Aiesec Mexico
This is their website.
You can call them at (52) 55 - 5564 - 2709. It will take you to a receptionist. Ask for "Aiesec Mexico" (or more like Ayysseec Mexico) and she will transfer you to the Aiesec Office. Ask for Nina, the MCP that is coordinating this rescue.
And this is the direct line to the office (52 ) 55 - 5264 - 4294.
posted by Dody G. at 5:02 PM
31 Comments:
The money that they need is 80,000 euros for the airplaine ambulance
I think they already have 40,000 but I am not sure, I read that on the newspaper
5:20 PM
hmm..can we get someone from Aiesec Mexico MC to share what really happenings and what's going on? Right now all the details are sketchy.
Does she need an air ambulance or just an air emergency lift?
5:26 PM
Without more details, there is a limit on how much fund we can raise for this case.
Transparency is really crucial to enable people to ask their contacts to raise an substantial money.
5:34 PM
Dody, apparently she needs an air ambulance...
It is not sketchy at all in my opinion. Several emails have been circulating and AI also recieved a phone call from the family.
I think AI should send a communication mailing to communities to really make the issue official. I am sure they are trying to help but still I can see this as really sporadical.
This is really true.. the MC of AIESEC Mexico did share what is happening...
We do not need the knitty gritty details..
She needs an air ambulance according to what I have read..
5:37 PM
Maria,
No, we don't need nitty gritty details. A basic information would suffice.
0. What is the nature of emergency?
1. How much money is required?
2. What's the air ambulance service required?
3. Where would the money be transferred to?
4. Is there any other alternative being pursued?
5. Where will she be transported to?
That's it. Simple concrete facts. With that, we can contact alumni in the US for fund and answer questions.
5:44 PM
This is all the information I have
Hi AIESEC members!
Im writing from Mexico, We need your help. We have one SN in Accra, Ghana, she is Sofia Mendez SN-In-MX-CJ-2005-1234. She presents a case of septicemia (bacterial infection in the sanguineous torrent) and pneumonia. Everything began with an infection of the urinary routes, later pancreatitis, problems with the kidney and the liver.
She cannot receive the special treatment or attention necessary in that country therefore she requires to be transferred to a European country (Switzerland) urgently, however the cost of this particular scenario is approximately of 80,000 dollars, just to move her to Europe in a special plane.
Please check this url, just in case that you do not trust:
http://www.diario.com.mx/portada/juarez/nota.asp?notaid=d2d7ba7baad763df0aa6b97bcce5ffe9
We are more than 80,000 AIESEC members!, What if we give at least 1 dollar? Just ONE dollar and we can save her life She is not just a Mexican trainee, she is an AIESEC Trainee, Our trainee!.. This could be happening to you. Please help her, she needs our brotherhood to be at it's finest moment by helping out one of us.
Please, distribute this e-mail to your contacts!!
Imagine that you, your sister, or one of your trainees are in her shoes, what would you do? Make it Happen!
It's up to you!!!
Account: Aquiles Mendez 5177-1253-8694-9896
(He is her brother)
Bankwire: 00216 400 747 722 7146
5:53 PM
How much time do we have ???
6:03 PM
i'm calling Aiesec Mexico to find more information about this.
6:08 PM
Ok, I'm just off the phone with the MCP of Mexico. She will create a one FYI page about the situation that we can use to raise fund here.
Here's some more details.
40,000 US dollars have already been raised in Mexico.
International SOS (look it up google) is the first possible solution and they recommend airlifting her to Switzerland. This is where the 80,000 dollars cost needed comes from.
Aiesec Mexico is also looking for other cheaper alternative to solve this issue.
6:24 PM
What about any of the north african countries : Tunisia, Morroco ?
I think everybody must forward this to his friends and I believe we can do sthg !!!
6:28 PM
Maybe we should coordinate/consolidate the international wire xfers, as there is normally a fee associated ($25 or so) with each transaction..
8:17 PM
Drake, paypal donation will be availabe in about 10 minutes.
8:23 PM
There we go..
8:40 PM
Good deal. anyone believing in the "golden rule" or karma in general would be smart to spare some cash..
9:15 PM
Is there anyway to watch the donations progress?
9:19 PM
There is no automatic way. People from AIESEC Mexico MC will keep us up to date.
9:24 PM
What about the insurance company? Don't they liable for this kind of situation? Some money from them would help a lot.
12:00 AM
The info I get is that the insurance company policy she has doesn't cover issue like this (or up to a certain limit)
12:04 AM
I just spoke with a couple people from US Air
Ambulance (http://www.usairambulance.com) There is a
plane that will be in europe early next week, and can
go to Ghana on the way back, this will save about
$20,000. Another option they provide is International
Airline Stretcher Transport which is only about half
the cost of an Air Ambulance.
US Air Ambulance's US toll free number is 800-948-1217
Their standard US number (reachable anywhere in the
world) is +1 941 926 2490 and they say they will
accept collect calls. They also speak spanish.
1:50 AM
...and i sent the info to the contact i have for that LC, now i'm waiting to hear back
1:51 AM
I think we have received much more amount of money than the number listed above. I don't have access to the newly created Aiesec Mexico paypal so I can't give update. Hopefully someone from Aiesec Mexico will update us tonight.
4:10 AM
Bea (http://abgb.nomadlife.org) talked to Aiesec Mexico MC over the phone and found out that there's storm raging in Mexico City right now and their Internet services are down so they can't communicate right now.
4:36 AM
From Fabian Hernandez - AIESEC MEXICO
Rescuing Sofia - Update from Mexico
In the name of AIESEC Mexico and Sofia, we would like to thank you for your incredible support given to us in the past hours/days. We've been told Sofia is able to talk now and she is aware of your support, she is extremely grateful.
We also would like to give you an update about the situation about Sofia
Medical situation:
Sofia is getting better, but still with high risk to get sick again. Her doctor informed Sofia?s family that it?s still required to move her to another city by plane (maximum duration of trip allowed : 7 ? 8 hours) . They have authorized her to travel in a commercial flight (as long as she continues stable) which reduces enormously the costs. Nevertheless, we still need support for covering hospital and other expenses.
She definitely needs to leave Ghana this weekend, since the surgery is needed and can?t be performed where she is. We are trying to move her during this weekend to the following cities: London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Milan.
About insurance:Her insurance doesn't cover all the costs. At the begining, the family contacted the insurance company and that's how they got the SOS International quotation. The company stated they would cover 2 hours out of the 8 hours flight of the air ambulance. Now that the ambulance is not need we need to figure out how much are they covering. however, the insurance she got works as rebate (she has to pay first) We will get this info tomorrow.
Support
Mexican government is supporting us with all admission procedures needed to move a person in the conditions that Sofia is facing now.
In order to give the authorization to move Sofia to another country in Europe, her parents are arriving tomorrow friday in Accra Ghana.
We are getting quotations from different companies in order to determine a final amount needed to cover the cost of hospital, transportation and other expenses. We need support from Europeans or people in that continent in order to get quotations directly from there! Please contact ggiron(at)aiesec.org.mx
Secretary of Foreign Affairs is already dealing with possible host countries (UK, Italy, Netherlands and Germany) in order to get acceptance in their hospitals.
Donations update:
Around 47, 000 USD have been collected in Mexico coming from family and friends, this money was raised by family and Mexican community. Money has been taken from donations by parents to pay their airplane tickets and expenses, that leaves 40,000 USD in total.
AIESEC support: Thanks to nomadlife.org site, we have raised around 1400 USD in less than 12 hours through PayPal. (mostly from US)
Tomorrow, we are going to update with a specific situation and countings. We are still waiting for more transfers and donations from different countries. Guatemala, USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and trainees from different countries like Australia, Germany and The Philippines. We are unable to see if they have donated since they?re international transfers which take from 24 to 48 hours to reflect on account.
Thanks again for your constant and amazing support, keep in touch and let?s continue helping Sofia.
_________________
Fabi�n Hern�ndez
National HC Coordinator
E-mail/MSN:fabianh(AT)aiesec.org.mx
Skype:fabianhdz
7:31 AM
From Fabian Hernandez - AIESEC MEXICO
Rescuing Sofia - Update from Mexico
In the name of AIESEC Mexico and Sofia, we would like to thank you for your incredible support given to us in the past hours/days. We've been told Sofia is able to talk now and she is aware of your support, she is extremely grateful.
We also would like to give you an update about the situation about Sofia
Medical situation:
Sofia is getting better, but still with high risk to get sick again. Her doctor informed Sofia?s family that it?s still required to move her to another city by plane (maximum duration of trip allowed : 7 ? 8 hours) . They have authorized her to travel in a commercial flight (as long as she continues stable) which reduces enormously the costs. Nevertheless, we still need support for covering hospital and other expenses.
She definitely needs to leave Ghana this weekend, since the surgery is needed and can?t be performed where she is. We are trying to move her during this weekend to the following cities: London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Milan.
About insurance:Her insurance doesn't cover all the costs. At the begining, the family contacted the insurance company and that's how they got the SOS International quotation. The company stated they would cover 2 hours out of the 8 hours flight of the air ambulance. Now that the ambulance is not need we need to figure out how much are they covering. however, the insurance she got works as rebate (she has to pay first) We will get this info tomorrow.
Support
Mexican government is supporting us with all admission procedures needed to move a person in the conditions that Sofia is facing now.
In order to give the authorization to move Sofia to another country in Europe, her parents are arriving tomorrow friday in Accra Ghana.
We are getting quotations from different companies in order to determine a final amount needed to cover the cost of hospital, transportation and other expenses. We need support from Europeans or people in that continent in order to get quotations directly from there! Please contact ggiron(at)aiesec.org.mx
Secretary of Foreign Affairs is already dealing with possible host countries (UK, Italy, Netherlands and Germany) in order to get acceptance in their hospitals.
Donations update:
Around 47, 000 USD have been collected in Mexico coming from family and friends, this money was raised by family and Mexican community. Money has been taken from donations by parents to pay their airplane tickets and expenses, that leaves 40,000 USD in total.
AIESEC support: Thanks to nomadlife.org site, we have raised around 1400 USD in less than 12 hours through PayPal. (mostly from US)
Tomorrow, we are going to update with a specific situation and countings. We are still waiting for more transfers and donations from different countries. Guatemala, USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and trainees from different countries like Australia, Germany and The Philippines. We are unable to see if they have donated since they?re international transfers which take from 24 to 48 hours to reflect on account.
Thanks again for your constant and amazing support, keep in touch and let?s continue helping Sofia.
7:33 AM
Hi Dody,
I am a guy from Mexico, but now I am in the MC from Indonesia.
Trainees and alumni want to donate, but the problem is that the trainees don�t have credit card, me either and the credit cards of the indonesia people are blocked, anybody don�t know the reason of it.
So, Do you know how we can transfer money to the Mexican account?
For now, one solution is through western union, but it is a little bit expensive.
9:19 AM
May be this will help :
Visa
s toll free number from Indonesia : 001-803-1-933-6294
Mastercard Toll free number : 001803-1-887-0623
Amex : Indonesia 62-21-521-6111
Western Union locations and phone number :
Bank Rakyat Indonesia
(21) 575 8630
PT Bank Internasional Indonesia
(21) 392 8282
PT Bank Mandiri
(21) 527 5767
PT POS Indonesia
(21) 384 8082
10:46 AM
Hi Adrian,
I have an easier way. Collect all the donation money (in Rupiah) for Mexico and tally it up. Convert it US dollars.
Let me know.
I send that same amount of money to Mexico through Pay Pal and have Aiesec Mexico MC confirmed it for you. I will give you a local bank account that you can send the Rupiahs to.
This way you don't have to pay for any money transfer.
3:59 PM
Guys,
I'm trying to make a donation through PayPal but I don't know where to go to find Sofia's fund.
Can someone help me out?
Thanks,
David Ferrer
Alumni @Venezuela in Brazil
7:36 PM
Hi David,
Just click on the paypal button located at the top of this weblog.
7:56 PM
So Dody, let me refresh the information about the donation from Indonesia.
I collect the donation money in rupiah and then convert it in US Dollars.
I will inform about the amount in Dollars, and you transfer that amount to Mexican account.
Then, I have to deposit that amount in rupiah in local bank.
Am I right?
4:08 AM
Yes, that is correct.
4:41 PM
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