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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shirley Freyer
Concordia Lutheran Ministries
Tel: 1-724-352-1571 x8266
sfreyer@concordialm.org

Concordia Stores Medical Equipment for Philippines

Cabot, PA – A partnership between Concordia Lutheran Ministries, American Renal Associates (ARA), and Kittanning physician Dr. Ross Betts will soon send vital medical equipment to the Philippines, where the need for such equipment is always high.

Dr. Betts, a nephrologist, and American Renal, the local dialysis company in Kittanning, donated 15 dialysis machines and six dialysis chairs to the Philippine American Medical Society of Western Pennsylvania Inc. (PAMS). Due to the makeup of the dialysis machines however, they can only be shipped in warm weather. Concordia President and CEO Keith Frndak volunteered the Oertel Care Center at the Concordia at Cabot campus to store the machines until it is warm enough to ship them.

Dr. Betts was pleased with the potential and promise this gift will give to the people of the Philippines. 

"The need is great in the Philippines and Concordia's help was instrumental in properly caring for this sensitive equipment," he said. Chris Ford, president of American Renal Associates, noted "ARA is always looking to help internationally with organizations like PAMS."

Dr. Betts recently purchased new machines for the Kittanning facility, but recognized that there was still life in the previous ones. He said that each machine is valued at $1500, and the chairs are worth about $500 a piece. They should operate without problem for at least four to five years.

In a letter to Dr. Betts from December, PAMS President Antonia A. Mendoza, M.D. said the dialysis machines and chairs would be a tremendous help to individuals living in remote areas of the Philippines who have no access to dialysis centers, which are located only in the cities.

PAMS provides medical and surgical care in all specialties. They provide more than 2000 medical consultations and 200 surgical procedures every year.

"Concordia is pleased to be able to assist this gesture of good will,” Frndak said. “We realize God's special blessings here and believe it is our duty to reach out to people in need throughout our world," Frndak said.

Dr. Betts is a member of Concordia's Board of Directors.