PALS has also raised funds separately for individual cases or pieces of equipment. In early 2013, PALS appealed to the St. Kitts community to make donations to assist with an urgent brain tumor case in a 9 year old girl. The campaign went viral and hit the media/social networks and soon members of the community from all walks of life were making donations to assist the child though PALS. We took the approach that no donation was too big or too small but that if we all as a community contributed, we could make an impact and the appeal proved to be successful in just a few short days.

We have found that generally the community is much more comfortable making donation via a longstanding, structured organization that is supported by leading doctors within the community as opposed to giving donations directly to the family themselves. Of course, this does at times result in challenges from members of the child’s family who would like direct access to the funds. PALS remains firm in its stance that funds will be assigned directly by PALS to suppliers (hospitals, airlines, hotels) and will allocate daily stipends based on the family’s level of need, length of time away and where they are required to travel.

PALS also may raise funds for essential equipment and supplies required by the Pediatrics Ward. In 2013, we raised over $50,000 EC for equipment. Most of these funds were contribution by overseas individuals with homes in St. Kitts, many who are parents or grandparents and understand the importance of a well-equipped hospital. The funds raised were wired directly to the supplier by the individual donors instead of coming through the PALS account in St. Kitts to then be redirected to the supplier in the USA. The supplier used for this equipment was the JNF Hospital’s longstanding supplier. PALS had acquired other quotes and estimates from other suppliers but they proved to be more expensive.

PALS hopes to expand its fundraising activities over the next year with various campaigns such as a Santa’s Wish List for the hospitals and regular fundraising events.