My Trip to Haiti
By: Bill Rancic | Category: Bill & Giuliana | Published: 2/20/2010
Views: 16172 | Comments: 18 |

Around 6 am Thursday, I departed Gary Airport just outside of Chicago bound for Haiti. Onboard was Captain Jim and Sash piloting the plane with, along with donated medical supplies and a several thousand pounds of food. After a brief stop in Florida to refuel, we touched down shortly after 11 am in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, greeted by relief representatives from Portlight.org.




After unloading the plane with a team with some assistance from the team on the ground, I took the opportunity to visit a few of the surrounding communities and see firsthand the devastation and turmoil caused by the earthquake. I had the fortunate opportunity to meet some of the people affected by this tragedy and present toys to some of the children we met - distributed through Portlight.




Within just a few hours of our arrival, we were back at the airport ready to travel back to the U.S. with five additional passengers; three children in need of serious medical attention, a nurse, and the mother of one of the stricken children. Our first stop was in Ft. Lauderdale where one of the children is now being treated for a rare form of cancer. Our second stop was in Connecticut, where a young boy who lost his left leg as a result of the earthquake received medical attention for an infection to the wound he experienced from the amputation. We finally arrived back in Chicago around 2 am, where Thomas, a young boy in desperate need of a heart and lung transplant, was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

My sincere appreciation goes out to Jon Harris and the Sara Lee Corporation for their generous donation of several thousand pounds, and to Nick Popovich for his extremely generous donation of the airplane and fuel that made this trip possible. I’d also like to thank portlight.org for their on-the-ground humanitarian efforts in Haiti and for allowing me this opportunity to assist them in helping the Haitian people.

Please visit Portlight.org if you’d like more information on their recent activity in Haiti or to donate to this organization that gets the supplies right to the people who need it most.

Comments

On 2/26/2010 Sarah Lewin said:

Bill, I know the Haitian people were so grateful for all you and your team did for them. You should be proud of yourself that you helped so many people who's suffering was so great. The world needs more people like you!


On 2/26/2010 Heidi said:

Bill, Thank you for going to Hait. It really touched me to see that you brought sick children back to the US for medical help. I hope you get to go back soon and save some more lives! My husband and I love your show and I enjoy E News beacause of your wife! You both are in my prayers that you will be blessed soon with a child!


On 2/26/2010 Deb said:

Just another example of your big heart we can all see you have. You are showing us all that to be a great speaker and motivator is only a small part. Putting words into action is the best motivator. Love the show you and Giuliana do. Look forward to it every week and the song intro makes me smile.


On 2/26/2010 linda said:

Just watched eonline and finally saw you in Haiti - they need more people like you in this world Bill - that's just so nice and sweet of you to sacrafice your life and go there and help - You and G deserve great babies just like you - as G would say just like you baby haha God Bless x


On 2/26/2010 TJ Nichols said:

You know, Bill, you just strike me as a QUALITY DUDE. Smart, Caring, Adventurous, Loyal, Enterprising...etc...and you use these blessings with an energy that makes it all just seem pretty DO-able!. Haiti AND America need more like you. All the best to you & to Mrs. J. Rancic, too.


On 2/25/2010 chase said:

hi bill, i watch ur show its awsome i love the 2 of you guys ...........i have saw u in person 1 time i loved ur speach ...........tell ur wife i also watch enew only b/c of her ...............lots of love ur fan Chase


On 2/25/2010 Anna Urena said:

I'm so proud of you Bill, we need more people like you in this earth thanks for not forgetting about them, we tend to pay attention when any disasster happends but we forget real soon, it takes a while to rebuild.


On 2/25/2010 Sahar Jirjise said:

I don't think words can explain how appreciative people in Haiti and people around the world for all the work you have gone through to help people in need. You are truly a great man and we need more of you in this world. God will truly help you with everything in your life because you help people in theirs. You're amazing Bill!


On 2/25/2010 Meghan said:

This is great! The world needs more people like you in the world. You have a tremendous heart and I truly admire everything you do. Thank you for being a positive role model and benefiting society, I really appreciate it. I love the show and wish you and G the best of luck in life's journey. -Meghan http://www.inafashionfairytale.blogspot.com


On 2/25/2010 Cassie Fisher said:

You do good things Bill Rancic! Thank you for sharing this experience!


On 2/25/2010 Jaime Martin said:

You truly are a good person with a big heart! Thank you for sharing this experience..It's nice to know that with all the devastation in Haiti people can still smile..


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