ISMS OPERATION KIDS in Morocco

Ms. Blanco's father instilled in her at a young age that money doesn't bring happiness and for self fulfillment one must give back by doing good things for others. She said that the advice of her father has always stayed with her and she continues to live her life with passion and purpose through all the peaks and valleys of life.    

Morocco has been in the hearts of my family since the 1960's when my parents visited embracing its' rich culture, history and warmth of the Moroccan people. In the 1970's, I introduced my husband and children to Morocco and continued my families tradition of embracing and learning about cultures, races and religions of the world. Ms. Blanco then told us that in the late 1990's her life took a tragic turn when her husband of twenty five years died suddenly of a massive heart attack only one year after the death of her father. She decided to change her life's professional direction from being a college professor to a humanitarian. 

When it came time to decide on the country of choice for the medical mission Morocco was first and foremost in  her heart and mind. I wanted to honor my father and what better place than Morocco a country he loved. In May 2008, ISMS Operation Kids medical team went to Marrakech operating at the Mamounia Hospital. The team of nineteen included plastic, orthopedic andpediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. Ms. Blanco said that there was approximately 300 people lined up for the triage.Joan said," this is of the most difficult areas of the mission.......determining which child will be operated on and which child because of a multitude of reasons will not be operation on." The final count was 68 successfully operated children . Ms. Blanco said, " helping children has enriched my life and I get so much more than I give". 

Ms Blanco said," that prior to starting Operation Kids she volunteered with other humanitarian organizations traveling to Latin American countries from 1999 to 2002 honoring her husband who was originally from Colombia, South America. However, although she has traveled to many places in the world she said, "Morocco is home to me" and she resides in Marrakech.

The next project for Morocco is scheduled for October 2009 at the El Antaki Hospital in Marrakech. A team of eye surgeons from New York City will operate and teach procedures on a variety of eye disorders. She has also organized that over a half a million dollars worth of medical equipment be shipped to Morocco and distributed to local hospitals in Marrakech.

Professor Blanco is currently working on a proposal detailing the elements of a Global Telemedicine and Teaching Network. It is a satellite and Internet-based communications system for Moroccan hospitals and specifically for children with cancer. This project provides quality healthcare to critically-ill children. Ms. Blanco wants Morocco to be incorporated into this initiative and collaborate with US physicians in hospitals around the country such as St. Joes and St. Judes. She said,"it is essential that Moroccan cancer foundations and hospitals play an integral part for this project.

Ms. Blanco, is a positive thinker and is committed to having a generous spirit helping one child at a time.She believes that mutual respect and embracing diversity can be developed and flourish through medical and educational programs such as the ones she has elaborated on.   

 To Help please go to HTTP://WWW.FIRSTGIVING.ORG/MOROCCO and donate any amount you can afford.