Floating Doctors News & Events
October 26, 2009: Floating Doctors Made a Rotary International Cause
Floating Doctors was announced a Rotary International Cause and will be taken up by the Palm Coast Rotary Club. By becoming and International Cause, any Rotary Club can support Floating Doctors and have them be their club’s focus organization to help.
October 26th, 2009: Clean the World Drops off 800 lbs of Recycled Soap
Clean the World, a non-profit organization who collects, recycles and distributes soap and shampoo products discarded by hotels, donated 800 lbs of soap to the Floating Doctors to take with them on their medical relief voyage. These bars of soap will be great to distrubute for hand-washing education and prevention in the medical clinics.
October 26, 2009: CNN.com Features Dr. Ben and The Floating Doctors
CNN published a story on The Floating Doctors, showing video of the reconstruction of the boat and featuring interviews from Dr. Ben, Sky LaBrot and Nick Wansten. They also conducted a live skype interview with Dr. Ben from the boat which was featured online as well. The story and video can be found in CNN health and CNN’s Impact your World.
October 20, 2009: Dr. Ben and Sky LaBrot are interviewed by Flagler TV for Floating Doctors update
The Emergency Operations Center in Flagler County interviewed Dr. Ben and Sky LaBrot for an update about the progression of the Floating Doctors boat and crew. Flagler TV did a piece about how Palm Coast has supported the mission and how Floating Doctors plans to stay involved in the community after departure by sending video and website updates about the journey.
October 12 2009: Floating Doctors presents at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida
Jamie Thrower arranged for Floating Doctors to present an evening slide show to the students at Flagler College in St. Augustine. With a warm welcome and a room full of eager faces, Dr. Ben shared his dream and vision of the Floating Doctors mission. The students wanted to help in any way they could, and are running a canned food drive for stocking the galley of the boat.
October 2-4 2009: Floating Doctors participates with Bunnell’s annual Latino Festival
The annual Latino Festival in Bunnell Florida hosted the Floating Doctors with a booth to partake in the local Latino Festival. The Festival was a two-day event in which local business owners filled the streets to share various services, food and great music. With the bike generator set up next to the booth and brochures in both English and Spanish, the Floating Doctors crew was able to share the mission and planned journey of the voyage.
September 22 2009: Floating Doctors Celebrates Sky LaBrots’ Birthday
September 8 2009: Justin Lewis and Michelle Stauffer Join the Crew in Palm Coast
Justin Lewis is a professional land and underwater photographer originally from Northern California. He has joined the crew to be the Floating Doctors still photographer aboard the Southern Wind while still under boat restoration as well as sailing across Central America and the South Pacific. Justin jumped right in and due to his previous nautical knowledge, is heading up the rigging team and working hard on the boast construction. Michelle Stauffer is a San Francisco State University student majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology native to Encinitas California. She has joined the electrical team with two other Floating Doctor’s crewmembers. She will also coordinate nutritional and herbal advice, natural pre-natal care and education to strengthen children’s health habits.
September 5 2009: Floating Doctors participates in Cuban Pig Roast
Claudia Quintero, a native Cuban who now lives in Palm Coast Florida, introduces the Floating Doctors crew to the Latino community. The crew is invited to a local pig roast held in honor of the Floating Doctors mission. Several members of the community took the boys to the pig farm where they were taught some basic hunting skills, how to humanely slaughter the pig as well as the proper technique in cleaning the pig. The next day, the whole pig was roasted and the local community brought food and shared skills with the crew on how to cook plantains, yucca and various other Central American foods.
September 4 2009: Floating Doctors visits Marine Land’s for a Dolphin Immersion experience donated by Marine Land
The crew in Palm Coast work hard and diligently to get the boat ready for the awaited departure. Dr. Ben wanted to treat the crew to an adventure and a day off the boat. One phone class later to Marine Lands and the whole crew was heading off to Palatka for a rare day trip excursion. Marine Lands donated ten, full day, Dolphin Immersion Experience to the Floating Doctors crew. The team enjoyed swimming with the dolphins, learning about the conservation center and celebrating a day of new adventures.
September 3 2009: WNZF Radio Interview with Dr. Ben and Sky La Brot
For an update about the progression of the boat, the development of the crew, and the supplies still needed, Dr. Ben and Sky enjoy an interview with the local WNZF Radio station. The community in Palm Coast is always interested in ways to help the Floating Doctors crew.
September 1 2009: Floating Doctors speaks at the Palm Coast Rotary Club
Floating Doctors gives a presentation at the Palm Coast Rotary Club. The International Rotary Community has taken on a global cause to stamp out Polio. The Rotary Club was inspired the mission and gave Floating Doctors the ‘Service above Self’ award. After an afternoon lunch with the Rotarians, the crew meets Veronica Maggs. Veronica has also gotten her daughter, Georgina Maggs, involved in the project and will be a future member aboard the boat. She has come by the Palm Coast home to begin construction and learning electrical wiring aboard the Southern Wind.
August 31 2009: Ryan McCormick speaks to Women’s Group in Los Angeles, California
During a visit to Los Angeles, California, Ryan McCormick speaks at a Women’s Group meeting. The Women’s Group is very much involved in community outreach, volunteer opportunities, and the ability to share information about local and global philanthropic organizations.
August 29 2009: Floating Doctors Crew dines at neighbor Valerie Pippio, also known as our crews Grandma
Palm Coast has opened up its arms to Floating Doctors. One neighbor in particular, Valerie and husband Mike have adopted the crew as family and lent out a hand, or a platter of cookies, to help the Floating Doctors mission.
August 24 & 25 – CNN visits Palm Coast and interviews Floating Doctors
CNN found Floating Doctors! It started with Brandon Ancil and Madison Park from CNN who saw ‘Drafting a Dream’ on the Converse website and felt compelled to cover the Floating Doctors story. After a phone call to Sky LaBrot, the two came out to Palm Coast Florida and spent two days filming work on the boat, getting to know the crew, and hold interviews with Dr. Ben, Sky, Nick, Jamie and Ryan. It was an exciting time for everyone involved in the project as the Floating Doctors comes closer to setting sail. The piece will be aired on October 27 2009.
August 21 2009: Graham Litchman joins the Crew in Palm Coast
Graham Litchman joins the crew from San Francisco State University where he is a Pre-Medical student. The crew welcomes him with open arms and his quick wit and passion for helping people is a great addition to the crew. He is a licensed phlebotomist, EKG Technician and a CPR/AED instructor, making him a valuable asset to Floating Doctor.
August 7 2009: Erika Loftfield Joins the Crew in Palm Coast
Erika Loftfield, an east coast native, joins the crew in Palm Coast. She comes from a family of sailors, her father was a merchant ship marine captain. As a former Peace Core participant, she jumped right into the mission, helping wherever aid was needed. She helped participate in administrative work, boat restoration, and helped Floating Doctors write and revise a grant proposal.
August 5 2009: Hollywood Theatre holds play, Red Moon Winter, in honor of Floating Doctors and proceeds are donating to the cause
August 4 2009: Chumash Blessing with Mati at the Chumash Indian Village in Malibu, California
While in Los Angeles, Dr. Ben and Sky visit the Wishtoyo Foundation Chumash Village, a working Native American village on a four-acre historical site at Nicholas Canyon Country Beach in Malibu. Founder Mati Waiya is a Chumash ceremonial leader and re-built a village of aps (Chumash word for the dome-shaped dwellings in the village) and a Sacred Fire in Malibu. Dr. Ben, Sky and both parents attended the village and Mati lead them through a cleansing ceremony and later blessed the voyage. He spoke of stewardship and ownership to the land to ourselves and to others. He shared the value in recognizing our place here and now to take responsibility to do our best in the time we have to leave this world a better place than we found it. The blessing and offerings lasted over an hour and the experience was truly unforgettable.
August 1 2009: Dr. Ben and Sky La Brot arrive in Los Angeles, California
July 24 2009: Dr. Ben La Brot on the Radio! Interview with Terry on WNZF fishing show
The WNZF hosted Ben LaBrot during the fishing show! The lines were opened up to the public and Dr. Ben was given the chance to not only talk about Floating Doctors, but also shared his knowledge and enthusiasm about another passion, fishing.
July 21 2009: Floating Doctors speaks at Palm Coast Yacht Club and the crew has dinner at the VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) – Floating Doctors also celebrates Jamie Throwers Birthday!
The Floating Doctors crew presented at the Palm Coast Yacht Club and later dined at the VFW with over fifty war veterans. The crew heard stories from Bert and other members about their lives and experiences. One of the most memorable stories was about a former war veteran by the name of Giles McCoy who was one of the few survivors aboard the SS Indianapolis and later became a physician dedicating his life to serving others in the medical field. After an inspiring day of presenting at the Yacht Club and visiting at the VFW, the Floating Doctors crew celebrated Jamie Throwers birthday!
July 16 2009: Dr. Ben and Sky La Brot speak at Flagler Beach Yacht Club
It was an eventful day at the Flagler Beach Yacht Club for Floating Doctors. With the invitation to present at the Club extended by Captain J’s affiliation with the Flagler Beach Yacht Club, the members embraced Ben and Sky and took it upon themselves to help in any and all ways. Yacht Club members donated fishing equipment, medication and medical supplies as well as cookbooks and more. Floating Doctors also meet Nick and Susan Beretta, a Palm Coast couple who have since then become extremely instrumental in helping the Floating Doctors mission and crewmembers.
July 14 2009: Rachel Hipolite Joins the Crew in Palm Coast
Rachel Hipolite, originally from Orange County, California, is a recent Pre-Dental graduate from San Francisco State University. Rachel will be coordinating and assisting visiting dentists volunteering their services in the Floating Doctors clinics, as well as cleaning teeth and conducting dental health education for children and adults. She immediately and enthusiastically joined in with planning for the journey as well as working daily on the construction of the Southern Wind.
July 12 2009: Maddie Gygli arrives Joins the Crew in Palm Coast
A former high school classmate of Dr. Ben was reading the newspaper when she came across an article about Floating Doctors. A couple of emails later, she joined up with crew in Palm Coast and spent a month in Florida. As a former elementary school principle with the LAUSD school district, Maddie helped organize educational material for the children. She also spent her time helping the crew with renovation and construction on the boat.
July 10 2009: Mark Schelbert arrives in Palm Coast to visit with the crew for the weekend
It was a momentous day when Dr. Ben’s oldest friend and partner Mark Schelbert arrived in Palm Coast. Mark is a California native and currently a Managing Partner of Shackleton Advisors. Upon arriving in Palm Coast, Mark shared his knowledge and skills in regards to rigging the boat, sailing, and various other aspects involved in the project. As a long time childhood friend and confidant of Ben, his three-day visit was a great addition to progression of the Southern Wind.
July 8 2009: Dr. Ben and Sky La Brot speak at American Legion in Palm Coast
The small and kind American Legion Post in Palm Coast Florida gave a warm welcome to Ben and Sky LaBrot during an afternoon presentation about the Floating Doctors. Ben shared a general overview of the Floating Doctors mission and was received with heartfelt wishes and help in any way possible.
June 10, 2009: Jamie Thrower Joins the Crew in Palm Coast
Jamie Thrower, from Sonoma CA, joins the Floating Doctors to oversee the development and administration of the Floating Doctors Global Health Survey, which will explore not only the current problems existing in developing world health care, but also perceptual attitudes to disease and health care. What health care do people expect, and what do they receive? And from what sources? What do people know about health and the different diseases common in the developing world? The answers to these and other questions will be studied through the administration of multiple surveys in person and through the Floating Doctors website.
May 16-18, 2009: Floating Doctors Supporter Scott Walther Travels Across the Country to Help Re-Wire the Southern Wind
Long-time Floating Doctors Supporter Scott Walther flies to Palm Coast and works with Ryan McCormick to install the GPS, radar, depth sounder, battery bank, and to re-organize the wiring of the 110V and 12V systems into a more streamlines wiring harness.
May 8, 2009: Jon Resnick and Nick Wansten Arrive to Join the Crew in Palm Coast
Jon, from Agoura Hills and Nick from the High Desert arrive in Palm Coast. After traveling over 24 hours and arriving without Jon’s luggage, Jon and Nick arrived at the boat and went directly to work, putting in a full day doing heavy labor in the heat as they learned what needed to be done aboard Southern Wind.
April 27, 2009: Sky La Brot Arrives in Palm Coast
Sky La Brot, Dr. Ben’s sister, arrives in Palm Coast from Los Angeles to help oversee the project. Immediately throwing herself into the work, she quickly mastered the use of power tools and advanced polyurethane resining and epoxying and framing; she also immediately took on the job of liaising with media and buying/cooking for all the crew three times a day.
April 20, 2009: Dr. Ben and Ryan McCormick Arrive in Palm Coast to Begin Repairing and Outfitting the Southern Wind.
After a bone-jarring cross-country journey in an overloaded 26-foot Penske moving van, after passing through floods in Louisiana and Alabama, Ryan and Dr. Ben arrived at the Microtel in Palm Coast. Already at the vessel are Floating Doctors Bo’sun Noah and Bill McCann of the Floating Doctors Advisory Board. As an experienced boat-builder, Bill McCann oversaw initial assessment and construction planning for the refit. His experience in marine craftsmanship and managing multi-million dollar construction projects will make possible the enormous volume of work required in the short time before hurricane season. Noah and Bill had arrived at the boat several days previously, and had already framed the large, empty aft cabin space into 6 cabins to accommodate up to twelve crewmembers.
April 15, 2009: Dr. Ben and Ryan McCormick Depart Los Angeles
Dr. Ben’s parents and Al Martinez waved bon voyage to Dr. Ben and Ryan, who began their cross-country drive. The 26-foot Penske rental van was packed so full of medical equipment, marine supplies and field gear that the small aluminum skiff donated to the project had to be strapped upside down on the roof, with several boxes of school supplies donated by students from Cal Lutheran University lashed beneath it. Ryan and Dr. Ben will be rendezvousing with Noah and Advisory Board member Bill McCann in Palm Coast, Florida to begin repairs immediately.
April 13, 2009: Dr. Ben Picks Up Five Tons of Donated Medical Supplies From Direct Relief International in Santa Barbara, California
Dr. Ben met, in a 26-foot rented Penske moving van, collects nine 72-inch tall pallets of medications and equipment from DRI’s Santa Barbara warehouse. After opening their warehouse inventory and offering us whatever was needed, the pharmacist and staff at DRI added many more items they thought would be helpful over the coming months. With the much larger Southern Wind, the storage problem and the need for DRI to drop-ship additional supplies to Floating Doctors has been eliminated; if further supplies are needed, however, DRI can bundle supplies for Floating Doctors with shipments to overseas clinics they support along the voyage route. The generosity of DRI and their support of Floating Doctors in its infancy was one of the most important factors in the success of organizing the Floating Doctors mission.
March 30, 2009: Floating Doctors Acquire 76-foot Sailboat ‘Southern Wind’
Thanks to the hard work of Floating Doctors supporter Edson, a marine surveyor who has been helping us in the search for a bigger vessel, Floating Doctors have acquired the 76-foot sailing vessel Southern Wind to use for our mission. Built on the design of a commercial fishing double-ender, she weighs 140,000 pounds and the capacity to carry many tons of medical supplies and up to 20 crew. Dr. Ben flew to Palm Coast, Florida and met Dennis and Jeannette, the current owners—they are donating the Southern Wind to Floating Doctors. The vessel needs a complete refit but one thing the Floating Doctors have a great supply of is labor! It will take a few months to rebuild the Southern Wind, but her triple-fiberglass, triple-marine ply, and steel keel-plated hull will be safe and allow Floating Doctors to carry much more help to those in need. The crew will rendezvous in Florida as soon as possible to begin repairs and outfitting.
March 17, 2009: Dr. George La Brot Presents the Science of Sleep
Floating Doctors films Dr. George La Brot, MD; Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Critical Care, Pulmonology, and Sleep Medicine presenting revolutionary concepts and increasingly common dangers encountered practicing Sleep Medicine to the Pacific Palisades Optimists Club. These are problems that affect a huge part of the American population, often with devastating consequences. To view Dr. La Brot’s presentation, please visit the Floating Doctors video gallery to learn how you can improve your health and avoid suffering the dangers of poor sleep.
Feb 7th 2009: Benefit Dinner at Shutters on the Beach
Floating Doctors held a benefit dinner in aid of the upcoming 2009-2010 voyage. Dr. Ben presented the project after dinner and a lot of support was raised. Many thanks to all the attendees, especially to Dr. Susan Reynolds and the many doctors from the Institute for Medical Leadership Training who came and supported the project.
December 18, 2009: Selling Blue Norther
Floating Doctors sell Blue Norther to a couple in Wisconsin. There is a potential opportunity for Floating Doctors to acquire a much larger vessel; this would allow far more medical supplies and more medical personnel to be housed onboard. After 33 years sailing the seven seas, the Blue Norther will be put to pasture in the soothing fresh water of Lake Michigan. The new owners have their own warehouse, mechanic, and aluminum welder and are planning to spend the rest of the winter renovating her and then cruising on the lake during the Summer. Blue Norther left the ocean for the last time when the Ventura Boatyard lifted her onto a flatbed truck for the long journey overland. Despite the tornadoes along the way, she arrived safe and sound in the Wisconsin snow. Fair Winds, Blue Norther!
December 4 & 7, 2008: Benefit Dinner at Bistro 31 at the Art Institute of California in Santa Monica, CA
Students and staff at the Art Institute of Los Angeles came together with Floating Doctors to put on two benefit dinners in Bistro 31, the Art Institute’s fine dining restaurant. Floating Doctors supporters enjoyed a range of fine cuisine and heard Dr. Ben present the Floating Doctors plan to bring health care to the developing world. Many thanks to everyone who came and to the Art Institute for making the night a great success!
November 1st and 2nd 2008: Chaminade College Prep Charity Kayaking Trip to Santa Cruz Island
On November 1st and 2nd, 25 students, faculty and parents from Chaminade College Preparatory in West Hills participated in our first Charity Kayking trips out to Santa Cruz Island off Ventura, CA. Many thanks to everyone who showed up at the Island Packers terminal in Ventura on that cold grey morning! The Island Packers hi-speed ferry carried everyone over; on Saturday there were dolphins everywhere, and on Sunday a Minke whale was breaching over and over again on the way home!
At the island, everyone suited up with guides JD and Greg from Paddlesports of Santa Barbara, who outfitted everyone with wetsuits, kayaks and gear and brought them on a tour of the caves and sea life along the east end of Santa Cruz Island. A south swell pushed clear blue water from the Santa Barbara channel right up to the island, and through crystal clear water jellyfish, seals and fish swam in the kelp forests below.
In some of the caves people could pull their kayak up in front of a blowhole in the rocks and receive a blast of air and spray when the swells rolled through the caverns, in others the water became still and calm inside the depths of the caves. For most of the people, it was their first time visiting Channel Islands National Park, but hopefully it will not be the last!
September 17th 2008: Presented at Cal Lutheran University
Dr. Ben presented the Floating Doctors to Cal Lutheran University students in Thousand Oaks, CA. Dr. Ben met the students and was impressed by the idealism, motivation and sincerity of everybody. If you want to learn about Cal Lutheran University, visit their website at:
September 15th-19th 2008: Bake Sale at Calmont School
Calmont School in Calabassas, CA kicked off a week-long bake sale to raise money for the Floating Doctors. Dr. Ben and Louise brought a batch of peanut butter cookies (baked by Sky aboard the Blue Norther during our journey from Santa Barbara to Ventura—the first batch of cookies made aboard!) and Dr. Ben talked to the students about the Floating Doctors mission and answered questions.
To learn about Calmont School, a CAIS (California Association of Independent Schools)-Accredited elementary school, visit them online at http://www.calmontschool.org
September 13th 2008: Blue Norther sailed to Anchors Way Marine
Floating Doctors crew and supporters bring the Blue Norther from Santa Barbara Harbor to Ventura Harbor for some shipyard work at Anchors Way Marine, a full-service marine boatyard. Anchors Way donated the yard fees and worked hard to minimize the costs for refitting-thanks for all your help!
If your own boat needs some general maintenance or any kind of advanced yard work, visit Anchors Way in Ventura or on their website at: www.anchorswaymarine.com
August 15th 2008: Presented at Direct Relief International
Direct Relief International hosted Dr. Ben presenting to their company’s members. Direct Relief International is an organization in Santa Barbara, CA that provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people victimized by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest at home and throughout the world. They also work to strengthen the in-country health efforts of their partners by providing essential material resources – medicines, supplies and equipment.
Direct Relief International has provided amazing support; they are storing Floating Doctors’ donated supplies in their warehouse and have pledged further medication and supplies, as well as working to help secure particular pieces of diagnostic equipment and other useful items.
Thank you Direct Relief for living up to your name—no inefficient loss of resources, just direct delivery of relief to people around the world!
To learn about Direct Relief International and how you can help support them, please visit their website at: www.directrelief.org
August 14th 2008: Interview with Audio-Digest
Dr. Ben attended a studio interview with Lon Osmond at Audio-Digest, a foundation that that provides high-quality, convenient, and affordable continuing professional education to physicians and other healthcare professionals. In this interview, Dr. Ben talks about the Floating Doctors, and also highlights some surprising facts about medicine in America. If you are a physician or other clinical professional and have continuing professional education requirements to fulfill, visit Audio-Digest at www.Audio-Digest.org
You can also hear Dr. Ben’s interview through their site, at:
http://www.audio-digest.org/pages/htmlos/35211.1.2560091964914287575/adf_interviews
August 12th 2008: Acquired Blue Norther
Floating Doctors acquired the 43’ Blue Norther, a 1977, Doug Petersen aluminum-hulled sloop! The Blue Norther, on closer inspection, appears to have been outfitted for racing with (for all you sailors out there) several additional stays that can be attached at various places on the deck and tightened to change the tension on the mast, as well as a very large Gennoa and a Spinnaker pole and sail.
She has the space to carry about 2,000 pounds of medical supplies and gear, as well as her five crew and guest clinicians. On the first test sail outside Santa Barbara Harbor, Captain Scott Walther exclaimed that it was one of the fastest cruisers he had sailed. She drafts 7’, giving her enough stability to safely handle offshore conditions as well as the shallow draft necessary for negotiating shallow coastal waters.
With the unexpected sudden arrival of the Blue Norther, we have decided to conduct a shorter, 12 month mission to Central America and the Pacific with five of the crew BEFORE adding a second, larger vessel to accommodate additional physicians and crew on the two-year circumnavigation originally planned.
August 12th 2008: Presented to Optimists Club at Gladstones
Dr. Ben presented the Floating Doctors to the Pacific Palisades Optimists Club at Gladstone’s Restaurant on the Pacific Coast Highway. The Optimists are a worldwide volunteer organization dedicated to “Bringing out the best in kids” since 1919. Dr. Ben was presented with a plaque bearing the Optimists’ Creed and Floating Doctors received many donations. Thanks to you all for your support!
Here is the Optimists’ Creed as it appears on the plaque they presented:
Promise Yourself-
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
August 4th 2008: Al Martinez Column and Topanga Messenger Article
Al Martinez, a highly respected journalist and syndicated columnist for the LA Times, wrote an amazing article that captures the essence of what Floating Doctors intends to accomplish and introduced the project to the community at large. Similarly, on the same day, an article by Cassandra Weissman hit the newsstands in the Topanga Messenger. Thanks to everyone who emailed offering help and suggestions—some people introduced Floating Doctors to other organizations or even friends and family in many of the countries to be visited. Others told of various helpful products, offered translation services and many people sent donations; it felt like a thousand hands were holding the project afloat! A special thank you to one particular donor from Santa Monica, CA: this person included a note with their donation that read simply, “I wish it could be more, but maybe this will help put some wind into your sails.”
Check out this link to read Al Martinez’s column: http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-martinez4-2008aug04,0,1750114.column
July 16-17 2008: Benefit Night (Floating Doctors Project Launch)
As the full moon rose over the ridge behind Dr. George LaBrot and Paula LaBrot’s lovely home in the Santa Monica Mountains, Floating Doctors was launched for the first time. Floating Doctors crew and supporters Dr. Ben La Brot, Louise O’Loughlin, Sky La Brot, Daniel Murray, Scott Walther and Mark Schelbert invited friends and associates for drinks, a selection of food prepared by Chef Daniel Murray, and to hear a presentation on the Floating Doctors 2009-2010 medical relief voyage.
About 60 people came on each night and the response could not have been better. A thousand thanks to everyone who gave a donation on the night, sent a donation afterwards, or reached out with advice and suggestions. Spot prizes were raffled off (congratulations to the winners!) and it was wonderful to see so many old friends and to meet so many new ones. Thanks to everyone who came, the Floating Doctors hit the ground running.
