Who We Are
About Us
In 2003, Gift of Life International (GOLI) was created to support and coordinate the efforts of Gift of Life (GOL) programs throughout the world. Over the years, GOLI has focused on four basic principles: (1) To increase the capacity of existing GOL programs to help children in need, (2) To promote the initiation of new GOL programs, (3) To develop partnerships with other non-governmental organizations (NGO's) in order to reach as many children in need as possible, and (4) To tell the collective story of GOL programs worldwide.
GOLI has a Board of Trustees that is made up of directors of individual GOL programs throughout the world. The Board works to develop policies and initiatives that adhere to the four guiding principles of GOLI and further GOLI's mission and the missions of all GOL programs worldwide. Nearly all GOL programs are based upon the worldwide network of Rotary.
History
GOL began as a project of the Manhasset Rotary Club on Long Island, New York back in 1975. Back then Robbie Donno proposed to his club that they bring a 5-year old Ugandan girl to the United States for open heart surgery. This surgery was not available in Uganda and without it she would perish. That single act of kindness thirty-three years ago has grown into a worldwide movement that now embodies itself in fifty programs throughout the world. These programs have treated children from 64 countries and six continents.
In October of 2008, GOLI and GOL programs throughout the world celebrated the milestone of saving their 10,000th child. This accomplishment was made possible by the efforts of countless Rotarians, volunteers, and healthcare professionals who over the past three decades have sacrificed their time for the common goal of saving a child in need. In commemoration of this event, Grace Agwaru (GOL’s first child to be saved) retraced the path she traveled 33 years ago from Uganda to New York with Jonathan Olunga, the 10,000th GOL recipient. After Jonathan received his lifesaving surgery on October 8th, he and Grace visited 26 Rotary Clubs and Districts that are affiliated with GOL. They expressed the gratitude of all beneficiaries of GOL’s lifesaving efforts over the past 3 decades.
Mission
The mission of Gift of Life International and Gift of Life programs around the world is to further the cause of world peace and understanding by facilitating free medical services to children suffering from congenital heart defects and other similar or allied illnesses, regardless of their race, creed, gender, religion or national origin, and who would otherwise lack access to such services.
Vision
In the fall of 2008 GOLI and GOL programs around the world celebrated the
saving of their 10,000th life. While this was a significant milestone for
our family of Rotarians, volunteers and healthcare professionals, the need
for more and more help remains. It is in this light that GOLI has set an
aggressive goal of saving the lives of 30,000 children over the next decade.
This will necessitate an increase in the number of children we identify,
transport, treat, help recuperate and return home healthy by 2,000 each year!
We base the strategy for achieving this goal on these three principles:
- Develop sustainable pediatric cardiac care programs in countries which currently do not have them
- Create reliable funding sources
- Increase the global awareness of GOL
In order to meet our goal, GOLI has instituted a program that embodies the above noted principles. The program is called "Our Hearts Are In …." Each year GOLI will select a country upon which to focus the global network of GOL. This year it will be Uganda.
This effort will highlight the strengths of our organization while publicizing the needs of a specific country and its children. The residual effect will be to strengthen the cohesiveness of our organization, foster a feeling of community, and make people aware of the suffering throughout the world and show them that they can make a difference if they involve themselves. And it will increase the potential of our network to save the lives of more children than ever before.
Our plans are to identify 25 Ugandan children in need of heart surgery and send them to 25 separate GOL programs throughout the world all on the same day. When the surgeries are ultimately performed we will be able to hold the children up and show the world that now that we have healed the heart of the child we will need to feed them, house them, protect them from disease and educate them.
Our Progress
There are 60 Gift of Life programs throughout the world and we have treated children from 64 countries on 6 continents. Click here to view a list of all countries served by GOL.
Gift of Life was founded by Rotary District 7250 with the collaboration of rotary districts and clubs around the world. Click here to view a list of GOL Rotary partners.
