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Dear colleagues,

My co-directors and I are gearing up for Doctors Day in May.

In the interim, the effects of your previous and on-going contributions are continuing to be implemented by our partners. In Sierra Leone, UNICEF continues to help rehabilitate the badly battered health system- never terrific but hugely further degraded by Ebola.

In March 2015, Bill Gates gave a TED talk on preventing the next Ebola or similar outbreak. Here’s some of what he said;

“What are the key pieces? First, we need strong health systems in poor countries. That’s where mothers can give birth safely, kids can get all their vaccines.”

This is what UNICEF’s work in Sierra Leone is helping to achieve.

In Ethiopia we continue to strongly support surgical efforts to deal with trachoma through our partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation who trains and employs local surgeons. Here’s a quote from Kebede, one of their young surgeons;

” I consider all the people I operate on as my mothers, sisters and fathers. We share the same culture, the same lifestyle. I understand their problems.”

It is just this type of sentiment that reinforces one of our key messages on the major advantages of “virtual volunteering” advocated by the Twice The Doctor Foundation

(TTD).

Regards to all,

Rob Baume

On behalf of the directors of TTD.

4.3.2016

Dear Colleagues,

Recently, I gave a feedback presentation at the NSW Rheumatology annual meeting. I believe it was well received. There were many already signed-on supporters in the audience. Gratifyingly, two of the senior rheumatologists, Mike Prowse and Mark Arnold have volunteered to give similar presentations at Grand Rounds at their respective hospitals.

As you know, we seem to get quite a lot of media interest for our efforts but in reality my co-directors and I have found that the only way that we get regular sign-ons in significant numbers is by doctors giving brief, (sometimes only 5- 10 minute) talks to their colleagues. This is why we are particularly grateful to Mike and Mark.

If anyone else, junior or senior would like to give a brief talk to their colleagues – please let me know. We can send you a complete PowerPoint presentation or a short abbreviated version taking about 10 to 15 minutes to present. In addition, I would be happy to train any potential presenter and would consider even being at the presentation if required.

In the interim, here is some feedback I received recently from Sierra Leone.

https://youtu.be/DLxqmig8gec

Don’t for a minute think that your contributions are unappreciated!

1. You will note that we have not sent you any hard copy newsletters with glossy photos. We endeavour to keep administration costs down. Further, all administration costs of the TTD foundation are paid for by donations from the directors.

Regards to all and season’s greetings.

Rob Baume

On behalf of the Directors of the Twice the Doctor Foundation

Dear colleagues

In these times of major challenges presented by massive refugee movements, I hope you feel justifiably proud of the contribution you have already made to help with medical problems that are not merely local.

Twice the Doctor funds, totalling over $300,000 collected, have been directed towards training healthcare staff in Sierra Leone to rebuild capacity following the devastating toll reaped by the Ebola crisis. Donations have also gone towards preventing permanent blindness by funding trachoma lid surgery in Ethiopia.

Sometimes the good we do and inspire comes from unexpected quarters; I was recently informed of a patient who happened to be in Wyong Hospital during the last Doctors Day in May. She was moved to crochet away, sell the items produced and donate the funds, $200, to the Fred Hollows Foundation.

I was also informed that UNICEF were very pleased to have had an airing on the 7.30 report, which you may recall featured the Twice The Doctor concept during the height of the Ebola crisis. Hopefully the programme resulted in lots of direct donations to UNICEF and at minimum a heightened awareness of the excellent work it does in so many parts of the world.

By pulling together we can inspire our medical colleagues and others to chip in. Your contribution has already had an amplified effect. We have had in the order of 300 doctors participate. Imagine if really large numbers of doctors were involved – the opportunities for sponsorship from industry would be multiple. Please spread the Twice The Doctor message to your medical colleagues; you’ll potentially be doing everyone, not least some of the most needful people in the world, a significant favour.

Regards to all

Rob Baume

Dear colleagues,

Thank you for your generous contribution to Doctor’s Day in May 2015. We have collected over $70,000 so the Twice The Doctor foundation has raised over $300,000 since inception 18 months ago.

For those who have yet to contribute to this year’s campaign but wish to do so there’s still time. Remember the end of the financial year is just around the corner and your donation is fully tax- deductible.

Your contribution goes a long way where a nurses wage is about $7 a day.

So “use your heart and your head ” to really make a difference to health in Africa.

www.twicethedoctor.org.au

Regards to all

Rob Baume

(on behalf of the directors of the Twice The Doctor Foundation)

Dear Colleagues

It has been one week since Doctors Day In May. Many of you have given generously and we have collected $50,000 so far.

There is still time to make your contribution for this year’s campaign.

While giving here you support health professionals in Africa thereby being Twice the Doctor. Moreover your donation is greatly leveraged in the developing world because of the huge discrepancy in wages.

Make your contribution at:

www.twicethedoctor.org.au

Regards to all

Rob Baume

On behalf of the Directors of Twice the Doctor Foundation.

PS: Remember there is a whole other world of patients out there who are much less privileged than our own.

Dear All

On Thursday 21^st May, numerous doctors from Gosford and Wyong hospitals will be donating a day’s pay to help fund the work of doctors and nurses in Africa, thereby being “Twice the Doctor”. There will also be a major launch at Royal Prince Alfred hospital with media attending. There has been quite a buzz about this. All healthcare workers are welcome to participate. Donations to the various projects we support in Africa can be made via the website:

www.twicethedoctor.org.au

or by completing the attached pay deduction form. Morning teas will be held at Gosford and Wyong hospitals from 10.30 to 11.30. Please come along … have some cake and please consider making your contribution.

Regards

Rob Baume

On behalf of the Twice the Doctor Foundation.

Dear colleagues and supporters,

 

Thank you for your generous support of the Twice The Doctor Foundation which has raised approximately $1/4 Million for boosting Sierra Leone health infrastructure, combating Ebola and treating reversible blindness in Kenya (with funds being administered by UNICEF and the Fred Hollows Foundation)

 

UNICEF’s Chief Executive Norman Gillespie asked me to pass on this message:

“Daily we were receiving heart-wrenching reports of the impact of the Ebola outbreak. Children were among the most susceptible to not only death but the knock on effects of the disease. We could also see the growing burden on health workers. How does a health professional comfort a child who has lost both parents when you can’t touch them for fear of spreading the disease? 

I would like to thank you who have contributed to the Twice The Doctor Foundation, for understanding the magnitude of this crisis and for taking your role as a doctor to another level. Thanks to you we were able to mobilise quickly to do precisely what we’re here to do. You helped provide lifesaving assistance to reach children and their families as well as those on the frontline of the battle against this epidemic. Thank you.”

 

We are gearing up for our next Doctors Day in May – remembering that the aim is eventually to have a national day of doctors “virtually volunteering” thereby issuing a challenge to other professions and perhaps doctors in other countries to follow our lead.  Plans include a major launch at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where we anticipate significant media support. You will recall that our concept had coverage on the ABC TV 7.30 report, on national radio and in national medical journals. We had written support and endorsements from the AMA and from foreign minister, Julie Bishop.

 

However, despite the extensive media coverage, we have found that by far the best way to enrol medical supporters/virtual volunteers is by face to face presentations to our colleagues. In a recent presentation to interns at Gosford Hospital, 90 % “signed on”. Therefore, if you feel you are in a position to help organise talks to groups of doctors, say for 15 minutes or so, please let us know. Better still, if you feel you may be able to deliver the talk yourself and thereby champion the concept at your own hospital, we can certainly provide you with PowerPoint presentations. This was done very successfully last year at Royal North Shore Hospital. Eventually we would like to establish 2-3 “champions” in every major hospital in order to sustain the momentum. Remember, this is a most worthy exercise!

 

A number of RMOs in particular have pointed out the benefits of direct pay deduction forms as a way to support the Twice the Doctor Foundation. I’m delighted to announce that after considerable effort by one of our directors, Jules Willcocks , this is now available for you to use if you wish – rather than making a lump-sum contribution each May. Also, this way, the tax- deduction is all done. The forms are good throughout NSW Health. This convenient facility should also help us recruit new doctors. (See attachment).

 

For those who supported last years Doctors Day in May – I am pleased to say that your certificates of appreciation have now been produced,(sorry about the delay),and will be distributed shortly.

Regards to all

 

Rob Baume

(on behalf of the directors of Twice the Doctor Foundation)

Dear Colleagues

Thank you for your response to D-Day for Ebola. We have raised close to $40,000 which means the Twice the Doctor Foundation has raised a total of nearly a quarter of a million dollars in its inaugural year.

The epidemic, particularly in Sierra Leone continues to grow so for those who have not yet made their contribution for D-day for Ebola but wish to do so, please go to:

www.twicethedoctor.org.au

Kind regards

Rob Baume

(On behalf of the Directors of Twice the Doctor)

Dear Colleagues

D-Day for Ebola is this Monday 8^th December 2014.

This campaign is endorsed by the AMA.

The campaign is also endorsed by Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Campaign Poster – See attachment.

7.30 Report:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-28/doctor-calls-on-gps-to-give-a-days-pay-to-ebola/5927254

Please consider joining your colleagues and contributing to this emergency by going to the website. www.twicethedoctor.org.au

Kind regards

Robert Baume

On behalf of the Directors of Twice the Doctor Foundation

PS: Please forward this email to all your medical colleagues.

Dear colleagues,

Just in way of feedback for your previous generosity:

There will be a piece on the Twice The Doctor/ UNICEF D-Day for Ebola project on the 7.30 Report( ABC TV) on Friday 28th November

Regards

Rob Baume

(on behalf of the directors of TTD)

PS: Please forward this email to your medical contacts. Spreading the word amplifies our effect.