Press Release
National Nurses Group Sends First Team to Philippines
Thursday Media Availability- 5 p.m. San Francisco Airport
Overwhelming response by RNs—1,500 50 states and 12 nations sign up
The Registered Nurse Response Network (RNRN) will hold a media availability at San Francisco International Airport, Thursday at 5:00 p.m. with the first team of nurses with previous disaster assessment experience who are heading to Manila later that evening.
Nurses from local hospitals will be on hand in a show of appreciation and support for their colleagues’ efforts in the aftermath of the devastation from Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.
RNRN continues to request tax deductible donations to assist the dispatch of nurse volunteers to the Philippines, as well as inviting additional RN volunteers to sign up.
This first team, consisting of registered nurses with personal and organizational ties in the Philippines will initially meet with local nurses, doctors, healthcare professionals and disaster relief organizations setting the groundwork for the next groups of volunteers to go, as well as joining if possible in direct medical support.
View and share photos of send-off of first delegation of RNRN team
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What: Media Availability with first RNRN Nurse Team Heading to the Philippines
When: 5:00 p.m. Thurs. Nov. 14, 2013
Where: San Francisco Airport, International Terminal
Meet at departures door number 1 - Philippine Air.
Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), the first Filipino American elected to the California Legislature, will be in attendance and is encouraging Californians to support RNRN and Typhoon Haiyan/Yoland relief effors.
Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland)
HOW TO HELP:
Volunteer to help If you are a RN willing to respond to the tragic situation in the Philippines, please sign up here and provide information on your availability for the next few weeks.
Contribute to the RNRN fund established to support disaster relief services.
To donate by mail: Make checks payable to CNF/RNRN and mail them to: CNF/RNRN, 2000 Franklin St. Oakland, CA 94612.
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RNRN has been in ongoing communications with the Philippines Alliance of Health Workers, a member of NNU’s international affiliate Global Nurses United and other healthcare workers and disaster relief groups, to determine the need for nurses, medical supplies and donations on the ground.
“The patience and focus that are part of every nurse’s training is essential now,” says Zenei Cortez, Co-President of the California Nurses Association. “In the early stages of disaster, we must act quickly, but we must also act intelligently. Our advance team will effectively determine needs on the ground as we continue to contact volunteers.”
There has been a tremendous response to the call for help, with 1,500 RNs from all 50 states and 12 countries stepping up to volunteer to date. Of special note, 36 RNs currently residing in the Philippines signed up to assist through RNRN.
The RN Response Network has a history of cutting through red-tape, as circumstances require, by carefully vetting responders and working with other experienced relief organizations to ensure that providers have the skills and preparation necessary to meet the needs of communities impacted by disaster.
Watch news coverage of RNRN relief effort preparations and view photos:
Yahoo News interview with RN Jane Sandoval, a nurse volunteering to assist RNRN relief efforts
San Diego RNs, Sarah Gurling and Nanette Burell will volunteer in RNRN relief efforts
View and share photos of send-off of first delegation of RNRN team
About RNRN:
The Registered Nurse Response Network (RNRN), a project of the 185,000-member National Nurses United, works to send nurses to disaster stricken areas both inside the U.S. and internationally.
RNRN was formed in 2004 in the aftermath of the South Asia tsunami in 2004, when the need for nurses was not being met by traditional disaster relief organizations. Since that time RNRN has sent hundreds of direct-care nurse volunteers to assist following Hurricane Katrina, the massive earthquake in Haiti, and Hurricane Sandy.
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