Heart 2 Heart
Updated April 20, 2018
2017-18 PROJECTS
The Heart 2 Heart partners are working on ten Rotary Foundation global grant projects and three non-grant projects for 2017-18. Please visit the zone website page for Heart 2 Heart for details:
www.rizones30-31.org/news/heart-2-heart
Any club or individual who may be interested in participating in and/or learning more about any or all of these projects should contact Ron Appuhn as soon as possible (contact information below).
Nineteen clubs (and/or individuals in those clubs) in District 6780 have contributed funds in 2017-18. These partner clubs are Bearden, Chattanooga, Crossville, Fairfield Glade, Farragut, Harriman, Kingston, Maryville, McMinnville, Monteagle-Sewanee, Morristown, North Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Sunset, Pigeon Forge, South Campbell County, Sparta, Tellico Lake, and Tullahoma. Club contributions to date are $19,200. The Rotary clubs of Chattanooga Hamilton Place, Cookeville Sunset, Knoxville Breakfast, Knoxville Volunteer, and Tullahoma Sunrise have made pledges. The Rotary Club of Knoxville and District Treasurer Jenifer Campbell provide critical administrative support. In addition, several Interact clubs have made cash contributions.
HEART 2 HEART CONTACT PERSON
Ron Appuhn
Rotary Club of Maryville, TN
rappuhn53@yahoo.com
cell 865-567-9576
HEART 2 HEART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
In order to establish long term continuity of the program and to collectively work on current and future projects and issues, district volunteers have joined to form an Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee members are:
Ron Appuhn, Maryville
Jenifer Campbell, Oak Ridge
Suzie Cutshaw, Maryville
Patty Daughtrey, Farragut
Bobby Davis, Kingston
Roy Diatikar, Bearden
Anne Dunthorn, Oak Ridge
Brian Frye, Chattanooga Hamilton Place
Carol Hamblen, McMinnville
Rosa Mar, Bearden
Jody Mullins, Knoxville
Abe Ibrahim, Pigeon Forge
Greg Maciolek, Knoxville Breakfast
Greg Sandlin, Tullahoma Sunrise
Jerry Wear, Pigeon Forge
These committee members are available as resources for clubs and individuals.
2016-17 PROJECTS
The Heart 2 Heart partners worked on seven Rotary Foundation global grant projects and two non-grant projects for 2016-17. Please visit the zone website page for Heart 2 Heart for details:
www.rizones30-31.org/news/heart-2-heart
Any club or individual who may be interested in participating in and/or learning more about any or all of these projects should contact Ron Appuhn as soon as possible (contact information below).
Seventeen clubs in District 6780 contributed funds of $18,149 for 2016-17. These partner clubs were Bearden, Cookeville Sunset, Farragut, Harriman, Kingston, Knoxville Breakfast, Knoxville Volunteer, Maryville, McMinnville, Monteagle-Sewanee, North Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Pigeon Forge, South Campbell County, Tellico Lake, Tullahoma, and Tullahoma Sunrise. In addition a few individuals made contributions.
2015-16 PROJECTS
The Heart 2 Heart partners worked on eight Rotary Foundation global grant projects for 2015-16. Please visit the zone website page for Heart 2 Heart for details:
www.rizones30-31.org/news/heart-2-heart
In addition, District 6780 clubs (and one club in Missouri) funded three non grant projects- girls shelter computer training, expansion of a grade school near Toluca, and books for the Otomi school in Pahuatlan.
Clubs and/or individuals from 23 clubs in District 6780 contributed funds for 2015-16. These partner clubs were Bearden, Farragut, Fayetteville, Grundy County, Harriman, Kingston, Knoxville, Knoxville Breakfast, Knoxville Volunteer, Maryville-Alcoa, McMinnville, Monteagle Sewanee, North Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Breakfast, Oak Ridge Sunset, Pigeon Forge, Seymour Breakfast, South Campbell County, Tellico Lake, Tullahoma, Tullahoma Sunrise, and Turkey Creek Sunset.
2014-15 PROJECTS
The Heart 2 Heart partners worked on seven global grant projects for 2014-15. Please visit the zone website for more details.
www.rizones30-31.org/news/heart-2-heart
In addition, District 6780 clubs (and one club in Missouri) completed three non grant projects- solar panels for an orphanage, water pumps for rural area, and girls shelter computer training.
Twenty four clubs in District 6780 contributed funds for 2014-15. These partner clubs were Bearden, Chattanooga Hamilton Place, Fairfield Glade, Farragut, Fayetteville, Gatlinburg, Harriman, Kingston, Knoxville Breakfast, Knoxville Volunteer, Loudon, Maryville-Alcoa, McMinnville, Monteagle, Mt. Juliet, North Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Sunset, Pigeon Forge, Seymour Breakfast, South Campbell County, Tellico Lake, Tullahoma, and Tullahoma Sunrise.
Five individuals and several district Interact clubs also contributed to Heart 2 Heart in 2014-15.
HISTORY
Heart 2 Heart is a cooperative effort between Rotarians in the "Heart of America" (Zones 30 and 31) and in the "Heart of Mexico" (District 4170) and The Rotary Foundation to provide humanitarian service through matching grant projects. The first cooperative effort was in fall 2004 when all the 2005-06 District Governors in both U.S. zones agreed to support a water well project in a rural town in Mexico District 4170. Central Indiana District 6560 has been the leader of the cooperative efforts since 2005, and that district has done a few projects directly with District 4170 every year. Rotarians from several U.S. districts usually make an annual visit to Mexico.
District 6780 started cooperative efforts in 2008-09 with a Rotary Foundation humanitarian matching grant to supply an infant radiant cradle and craniotomy equipment for a hospital in Ecatepec, near Mexico City. With the success of the 2008-09 project and the February 2009 visit concluded, the cooperative vision was expanded to look for more clubs and other districts to work together for five new Rotary Foundation humanitarian matching grants for 2009-10. Maryville served as the contact club for those five grants. Indiana District 6560 worked on two grants and Louisiana District 6190 also did one grant. The eight projects for approximately $270,000 were supported by about 20 U.S. clubs and 6 U.S. districts.
With the advent of the Future Vision Pilot program in 2010-11, all the districts worked together, with District 6560 and District 6200 as the lead districts on the new Rotary Foundation Global Grant projects. As we move forward, an added emphasis is on finding more partners, regardless of location, who want to make a difference. Heart 2 Heart is Rotary partnerships in action!
SIGNATURE PROJECT : HOLTZ- BEAHON KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PROGRAM
The Holtz-Beahon Kidney Transplant Program is a cooperative effort between three private hospitals in Mexico, Mexico District 4170, U.S. and other partners, the Ayudar Foundation of Mexico, and The Rotary Foundation through global grants to provide life-saving kidney transplants for young women and men aged 15-49. Grant program recipients all have a high financial need and are not eligible for the federal government medical program. The program goal is to “save a life a week” by funding at least 52 kidney transplants per year.
Kidney (renal) failure is a more prevalent problem in Mexico than in any other country of the western hemisphere, due primarily to genetics and diabetes. Poor water and sanitation, poor diets, and lack of education in Mexican society all contribute heavily to the problem. Mexico has the world’s largest percentage of young children who are obese. As a result of all these factors, a relatively high number of children and young adults have kidney problems and need transplants. There are literally thousands waiting for donors and/or financial support, and the number of cases is expected to skyrocket as the population continues to grow. The Mexican public hospitals can provide kidney transplants through some of its facilities, but usually that process will take one to five years or more, which in most cases is too long to wait for the patients that we serve.
The transplants are done in three hospitals (one in Mexico City and two in cities less than 100 miles away) that are among the best kidney transplant facilities in Latin America. The doctors are absolutely top notch. These are the doctors and hospitals that the wealthy use, and yet these medical professionals are willing and anxious to also serve people in need.
The financial numbers are truly amazing. With great support from the lead kidney doctor (Dr. Mario Cardona), the hospital partners discount their fees drastically and negotiate with families so that the average price per transplant is $6,000 (based on current exchange rate of approximately 16:1). The Ayudar Foundation in Mexico provides an average of $3,000 per transplant (they match Rotary dollar for dollar). This makes the Rotary average cost per transplant at $3,000 per transplant (and lately that average has been below $2,500).
The doctors are willing to do two transplants per week under the program if it could be funded and if the right qualified patients could be found. Many potential recipients do not follow through for a variety of reasons, often related to either a lack of a viable and/or willing donor or an unwillingness to demonstrate any attempt at a minimal financial commitment. Organ donation is a relatively new concept in Mexico, so almost every kidney transplant requires a living donor, usually a close relative.
Mexico Rotarian Ignacio (“Nacho”) Holtz and other members of his club work tirelessly with the hospitals to screen potential recipients and donors, as well as to provide logistical support for the families and the hospitals for paperwork follow up and transportation, both before and after surgery. The Mexico government does provide medications for all patients after surgery.
The kidney transplant program is named after Nacho Holtz and District 6080 PDG Mike Beahon, who passed away from kidney-related illness in 2014. The program name recognizes the connections between Mexico and the U.S. that has come together by the inspiring spirit and Rotary service of Ignacio Holtz and Mike Beahon.
SIGNATURE PROJECT : WATER TANK SYSTEMS FOR GRADE SCHOOLS
The water tank system primarily consists of a 10,000 liter water tank that is connected to a school’s internal plumbing system to supply water to faucets for drinking (includes a filtering system) and to bathrooms for toilet flushing and hand washing. Each school’s plumbing varies, and often the Rotarians and school parents have to rework (and add to) the existing plumbing to accommodate the new water system. The average school size for the recipients of Heart 2 Heart tanks to date is about 800- 1500 students per school, and the tanks have all been placed in grade schools.
One highlight of this project is the cooperation and effort required of and made by all the stakeholders. The government agrees to pay for the truck delivery of at least one tank full of water per week (and our understanding is that more frequent water delivery can be obtained as needed). The school works out the schedule for the construction, and educates the teachers to work with the children on improved hygiene. The parents take primary responsibility for building the concrete base for the tank, for educating their children on improved hygiene, and for replacing the filters as needed (about every six months). The local Rotarians arrange for the construction and delivery of the tank, train parents and school officials on routine maintenance, assist with installation and plumbing, and take responsibility for repainting the tank’s interior every five years. The Rotarians will not install a tank in a school unless the local government, local parents, and local school officials can make the necessary commitments.
The company that makes the tanks can produce about four or five of the 10,000 liter tanks per week. A typical tank is primarily steel, weighs about 2200 pounds, and has an expected life of 30-40 years or more (depending on the average quality of water in the tank and the average quality of maintenance). Plastic tanks are not used because they are subject to more damage and vandalism, can be easily moved if empty, have a shorter life span, and can weaken with harsh weather.
A new water tank system costs about $3,500. With the Rotary Foundation's Global Grant match formula, that is $1,750 district global funds per system (or $1,000 cash and $1,000 district global funds), less contributions from the Mexico clubs.
WHY CLUBS AND DISTRICTS SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN HEART 2 HEART PROJECTS
- The projects are designed well and usually completed timely.
- Any club or district (or individual) can participate, regardless of size of club or amount of contribution. This is an easy way for clubs (and districts) to get involved internationally.
- There is no paperwork for the clubs and very little work for a district (except for sponsor clubs and districts).
- Heart 2 Heart attempts to offer a variety of projects for clubs and districts to consider, either as a new venture or as a good way to expand international service.
- District 4170 is in an area that is easy to visit. The next regular project visit will be in November 8 - November 16, 2017 .
2013-14 PROJECT
The 2013-14 proposal for a kidney transplant project was for 29 transplants, with a total global grant of $107,300. Several US districts partnered on this project. The Rotary Club of Chuajimapla was the host club in Mexico District 4170. The Rotary Club of Kingston, TN was the sponsor US club. This Global Grant 1412278 was approved by The Rotary Foundation in early March 2014. A total of 48 kidney transplants were actually completed with the grant funds!
District partners also had the opportunity to contribute to the water tank system as a continuation of last year's project.
The Heart 2 Heart partners considered other global grant projects for 2013-14, but none were developed during the year.
The 16 partner clubs in District 6780 who contributed funds for 2013-14 were Farragut, Harriman, Kingston, Knoxville Breakfast, Knoxville Volunteer, Maryville-Alcoa, McMinnville, North Knoxville, Oak Ridge,Oak Ridge Breakfast, Oak Ridge Sunset, Pigeon Forge, South Campbell County, Tellico Lake, Tullahoma Sunrise, and West Knoxville.
2012-13 HEART 2 HEART PROJECTS
The U.S. Heart 2 Heart partners pursued another kidney transplant project grant and a water tank project with a new host Mexico club (Tlalpan Golf) for 2012-13. District 6060 (Missouri) was a new partner and sponsored both projects.
The global grant proposal for the kidney transplant project was for 28 transplants, with a total Global Grant of $103,600. Eight US districts partnered on this project.The grant proposal was accepted in November as Global Grant 26222, and the grant application was approved by the Rotary Foundation on April 5, 2013. The project began in early June. Over 40 transplants were actually completed with the grant funds.
The global grant proposal for the water tank project was for 31 water tank systems, with the total Global Grant and project cost of $108,500. There were nine US districts currently partnering on this project. The Rotary Club of Tlalpan-Golf was the host club in Mexico. The grant proposal was submitted as GG 1416319 in January 2014. The grant was never approved, but will be resubmitted with the same partners and funding in May 2016.
The 20 partner clubs in District 6780 who contributed funds for 2012-13 were Chattanooga Breakfast, Farragut, Franklin County (Interact), Harriman, Kingston, Knoxville (personal donation), Knoxville Breakfast, Knoxville Volunteer, Lafayette, Maryville-Alcoa, McMinnville, North Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Breakfast, Oak Ridge Sunset, Pigeon Forge, South Campbell County, Tellico Lake, Tullahoma Sunrise, and West Knoxville.
2011-12 HEART 2 HEART PROJECTS
The complications from the Future Vision Pilot procedures and guidelines led to a decision by the U.S. district partners to limit the number of grants projects that were pursued in 2011-12 to just two projects. However, the partners intended to increase financial support of the projects that were chosen and to encourage new partners.
The kidney transplant project was resubmitted and approved in the fall 2011. The project was budgeted to provide for 21 transplants, the first of which was done in December 2011. The total Global Grant is for $88,200, and the total project cost is $193,200. Due to dollar conversions and increased contributions from patients' families, 39 transplants were conducted with the grant, which was completed on January 20, 2013.
The next water tank system project grant proposal, which will supply 60 water tank systems, was first submitted on June 27, 2012, but was not completed. A new grant proposal has been assigned Global Grant number 1414613 and was submitted to The Rotary Foundation in January 2014. 40 of these water tank systems were supported by District 6780 and its partner clubs. The total Global Grant and project cost will be $210,000. The project was finally approved in 2015 and is now underway.
The twenty-four partner clubs in District 6780 (who contributed $28,693 in funds) for 2011-12 were Chattanooga, Chattanooga Breakfast, Chattanooga Hamilton Place, Dayton, Farragut, Harriman, Hartsville, Kingston, Knoxville Breakfast, Lafayette (and Lafayette Interact Club), Lenoir City, Maryville-Alcoa, McMinnville, Morristown, North Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Breakfast, Oak Ridge Sunset, Pigeon Forge, South Campbell County, South Knoxville, Tellico Lake, Tullahoma Sunrise, and West Knoxville. One individual also contributed $2,000 for the projects.
2010-11 HEART 2 HEART PROJECTS
The Future Vision Pilot program began in 2010-11, and its impact on Heart 2 Heart was both immediate and ongoing. Mexico District 4170 was selected as a Future Vision Pilot district, but District 6780 and most other U.S. partner districts were not selected as pilot districts. This forced all the districts to work together through other Future Vision Pilot districts in order to complete Rotary Foundation matching projects, using the new Global Grant procedures and guidelines. District 6560 IN and District 6200 LA served as the lead districts on five proposed new Global Grant projects. The new Global Grant applications have proven to be a challenge for our partners to complete to the satisfaction of the Rotary Foundation, and only one project was approved during the year.
Twenty four District 6780 clubs (and one individual) contributed over $19,500 to the five projects. The overall partnerships included over 30 U.S. clubs, District 6780 and 6 other U.S. districts (6560, 6040, 6460, 6510, 6200, 6760), over a dozen Mexico clubs and District 4170, and the Rotary Foundation, for a combined proposed grant total of $282,406 and project total of $321,706. A short description of each proposed grant project follows below.
The District 6780 partner clubs for 2010-11 were Alcoa, Chattanooga Hamilton Place, Dayton, Farragut, Harriman, Kingston, Knoxville, Knoxville Breakfast, Knoxville Volunteer, Lenoir City, Maryville, Morristown, North Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Breakfast, Oak Ridge Sunset, Pigeon Forge, Smith County Noon, South Campbell County, South Knoxville, Tellico Lake, Tullahoma, Tullahoma Sunrise, and West Knoxville.
Approved Project: Water Tanks for Schools
This project is an expansion of the ongoing Heart 2 Heart water project for schools. The project provides a water tank, two filtering systems, and three water dispensers to 40 schools. Mexico has nine partner clubs providing support for the project. One water tank provides access to clean water for drinking and sanitation for a school that serves approximately 1,000 grade school children daily. The total grant and project cost was $139,840. The grant was approved, and the project is still underway. As of March 3, 2013, 30 water tank systems are completed, and the final ten water tank systems should be completed by September 30, 2013.
Project 2: Kidney Transplants for 8 Teenagers/ Young Adults
This project is an ongoing Heart 2 Heart health project. The project provides kidney transplants for eight underprivileged teenagers and young adults. The Ayala Foundation in Mexico provides support for approximately half the cost of the project. The total grant cost was $37,500 and the project cost was $73,600. The grant proposal was originally rejected due to lack of "sustainability". The grant proposal was resubmitted in 2011-12.
Project 3: Equipment for Vocational Rehabilitation Center
This project provides training equipment for a renovated vocational rehabilitation center space where up to 120 handicapped adults (with cerebral palsy, autism, and downs syndrome) can learn skills that will help them to make a living in light carpentry, woodwork, art, and similar fields. The total grant and project cost is $35,000. The grant proposal was not accepted by the Rotary Foundation.
Project 4: Equipment for Maternity Hospital/Consultation Center
This project provides desperately needed medical equipment for a small maternity hospital/ consultation center in a very poor area near Mexico City. The total grant and project cost is $35,000. The grant proposal was not fully completed by the Mexico host club, and the project was dropped from further consideration in June 2012.
Project 5: Equipment for Girls' Shelter
The girls' shelter grant project for $35,266 was designed to provide computers, playground equipment, and other equipment that would support the education and health of the 87 girls (ages 4-18) for many years to come. This grant proposal was not accepted by the Rotary Foundation.
2009-10 HEART 2 HEART PROJECTS
The Maryville club and District 6780 served as the host for five Rotary Foundation humanitarian matching grants for 2009-10. Eleven District 6780 clubs (and one individual) contributed $14,572 to the five projects. The overall partnerships included 11 District 6780 clubs, 6 other US clubs, District 6780 and 4 other US districts (6560, 6040, 6460, 6510), 5 Mexico clubs and District 4170, and the Rotary Foundation, for a combined grant total of $142,437 and a combined project total of $147,437. A short description of each grant project follows below.
The District 6780 partner clubs for 2009-10 were Alcoa, Chattanooga Hamilton Place, Farragut, Lafayette, Knoxville Breakfast, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Sunset, Tullahoma, Tullahoma Sunrise, and West Knoxville.
Project One: Ambulance for Pachuca de Soto Hidalgo
The project funded the purchase of a new ambulance that serves an area with 350,000 inhabitants with no existing ambulance service. The total grant and project cost was $39,200.
Project Two: Kidney Transplants for 5 teenage children/young adults
The project funded 5 kidney transplants for underprivileged teenage children and young adults. Services are provided at a private hospital in Mexico City which is considered one of the best kidney transplant locations in Latin America. Normally a Mexico foundation provides half the cost of the project, but that support was temporarily halted, so the project was reduced from 8-9 transplants to 5. The total grant was $35,200, and the adjusted total project cost was $40,200.
Project Three: Water Tanks for Schools in Ecatepec
The project provided a water tank in 7 schools (usually K-8 schools with 1,000- 1,500 students each). The tank provides water for drinking, hand washing, and toilet flushing. Existing facilities only provide daily toilet flushing in the dry season and occasional hand washing and toilet flushing in the rainy season, and there was no drinkable water. The total grant and project cost was $22,137.
Project Four: Medical Equipment for Ecatepec Hospital de las Americas
The project was the second year of providing medical equipment for a public hospital serving up to 1.3 million uninsured citizens. The equipment purchased was two more infant radiant cradles, similar to the single infant radiant cradle purchased in the 2008-09 grant. The total grant and project cost was $21,000.
Project Five: Used Fire Trucks and Rescue Vehicle for Huichapan and Actopan
The grant funded the restoration, equipping, and transportation of two used fire trucks from Indiana to Huichapan (population 63,000) and Actopan (population 48,000), cities without existing fire trucks. A Rotary club in Indiana had the used vehicles on hand. The rescue vehicle is a used pickup truck that can provide support. The total grant and project cost was $24,900.
Heart 2 Heart Activities by Other Districts
In addition to the grants sponsored by District 6780, Indiana District 6560 and clubs sponsored a grant for 7 water tanks for schools and a grant for 5 kidney transplants, and Louisiana District 6190 and a club sponsored a grant for a new ambulance for the Ecatepec area. The total humanitarian matching grants for these three projects was approximately $96,000, and the total cost of all three projects was approximately $121,000.
2008-09 HEART 2 HEART PROJECT
Eight District 6780 clubs partnered on a Rotary Foundation humanitarian matching grant to supply an infant radiant cradle and craniotomy equipment for the Hospital de las Americas in Ecatepec (in District 4170 near Mexico City). This hospital serves a population base of 1.3 million people who do not have health insurance. Approximately 4 premature babies are born daily in this hospital, and they had one modern infant radiant cradle before the grant was completed. The hospital was using a regular hardware store drill for its craniotomies before the grant was completed. It is estimated that several lives are now being saved monthly due to the new craniotomy equipment. Through negotiations with vendors, local Rotarians were also able to purchase audio testing equipment for premature babies.
The eight clubs (and two individuals) contributed $8,943 in cash to the project. The project cost, including district matches, Rotary Foundation matches, and Mexico club contributions, was $41,800. The District 6780 partner clubs for 2008-09 were Alcoa, Farragut, Kingston, Knoxville, Maryville, Morristown, Oak Ridge, and West Knoxville.