Today, Fr. Rick left to return to the US to take care of his dying mother. We wish him peace and safe travels during this difficult time. Meanwhile, Dr. Roberto from Italy is filling in as Medical Director of St. Damien.

Our triage is functioning nicely and we continue with registration but we aren't able to analyze figures yet; we should know more in the next few days.

The wounds of the patients that are coming in are getting worse. There are fractures and soft tissue injuries. Besides the medical volunteer teams that are on the way, we are receiving people at the door to volunteer. Today a team of traveling surgeons from the Dominican Republic were making castings. We are continually being amazed by our staff.

There are now tents in the back yard where the Italians set-up a state of the art operating system to help supplement our work. The second OR is now functioning so people continue to receive surgery without pause. The first of the ground shipment of supplies was received. Two trucks arrived with food and medical supplies organized by NPH DR, paid by Andrea Bocelli. Patients and staff have returned to some areas of the hospital that were closed. The Italian Civil Defense forces said it was safe. This was a huge help because we were concerned for children that were exposed to the weather. People are afraid and not everyone wants to go inside. We are working on convincing the staff in a kind and practical manner.

A one-year-old baby arrived with part of her skull and face missing. A visiting celebrity, Jimmy Jean Luis took her photo to show on CNN’s Larry King Live tonight. We hope with this national exposure that we might be able to connect with an organization that can help us find her some continued medical assistance.

Today there were visits from the top two anchors of the UK, Sky TG 24 from Italy, LA 7 Telecom and American Fox 5. The journalists are typically overwhelmed when they visit us.

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