EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATIONS FROM BAJA CALIFORNIA TO THE U.S.

Oct. 27, 2004, Celia Diaz, Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee (BEMCC), Baja California, Mexico Medical Evacuations:

There have been a lot new cases recently. We also transported victims of assaults, motorcycle accidents, falls, and car accidents. Total transports for the last two months, 28.

There were three different cases of U.S. Service men who had been beaten and left for dead in Tijuana Alleys. The last one was this past Monday. The young man was separated from his friends and was taken to an alley by six hoodlums who beat him and left him for dead. He was able to crawl to the street and someone spotted him and called an ambulance. I received the call from the Tijuana General Hospital. It's a good thing he had an I.D. I immediately transported him to UCSD Trauma Center. The other two were also beaten and drugged. One of them died and the other still in critical condition. They just got back from Iraq.

On 10/6/04 Two people were transported from Ensenada after suffering heart attacks. This time we received the call from the wife who had just purchased the Life Saver Card. When I called her to arrange for the transport, she refused. She said the doctor said it was not safe to transport him, to wait a couple of days. After many calls in 24 hours, I was finally able to convince her that I would send an ambulance completely equipped to transport her husband. Even then, it took her another couple of hours to make up her mind. By the time the patient arrived at the Sharp Memorial Hospital, he had pneumonia, kidney problems, etc. He would have died without the proper diagnosis and treatment.

I also had the opportunity to transport a newborn child who was born premature at 6 1/2 months. The mother was visiting in Tijuana when the baby was born. I was able to obtain a visa from I.N.S. since the mother was a U.S. citizen. Children's Hospital sent a special team to the border to pick up the newborn baby. I understand he is doing great.

I am having a fund raising event on December 5, 2004. The San Diego Gulls is helping us raise funds in one of their great games. Hope to see you there. Game begins at 5:00 p.m. Tail Gate Party Begins at 3:00 p.m. Join us with the San Diego Gulls professional hockey team game and help BEMCC raise funds. Music and entertainment. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided for ticket buyers, $12 per person. This fund raiser gives $6 of each ticket directly back to Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee, a 501.3 nonprofit organization, tax identification number 33-0346319, check or credit card, 619-425-5080.