Club Service-Intl Projects - The Marissa Ford Story

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Jim Huitt, who was instrumental in organizing this project, explains.............

Marissa Ford and her Mom Marguerite arrived in Richmond during the third week of March 2011 from the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia.

Marissa had been diagnosed with a large malignant brain tumor by doctors volunteering for the World Pediatric Project.  The WPP sponsored her travel to the United States and her treatment at Medical College of Virginia Hospital.   She was operated on in early April.

For two weeks after the removal of her tumor, she was in an induced coma and in intensive care.  Throughout her stay, Bon Air Rotary Club was there for Marissa and Marguerite.  Club members visited her and her mom at the hospital and at the hospital guest house during the months of recovery and therapy.  They were treated to meals in the Guest House and at restaurants and members helped with clothing, incidentals, phone calls and outings.  Marissa was hosted at a Friday Rotary Club meeting along with personnel from WPP In late July 2011.

Marissa turned eight the last week of July and the next week returned home to St. Lucia.  She wants to be a preacher and a doctor when she grows up.