LEAP Global Missions 2023 Gala On The Road Again Celebrated Past and Ongoing Missions

(Featured photo: Dr. Evan Beale, Gala Chair; Linda Hardison, Honorary Chair; Amy Beale, Gala Chair.)*

The Dallas Country Club was filled to the brim with supporters for the 2023 LEAP Global Missions 2023 Gala On The Road Again, appropriately named because this was the first gala since COVID-19 shut everyone down.

Chairs Amy and Dr. Evan Beale welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone for their support. Dr. Beale shed light on his history with LEAP. Twenty years ago while he was a student in medical school and resident surgeon, Dr. Craig Hobar, LEAP’s Founder and Medical Director, was his mentor, and he was so moved by the organization’s mission and accomplishments that he has been involved ever since.     

After the invocation by Rev. Pete Deison, Amy introduced Linda Hardison, Honorary Chair. Linda, a former gala chair, and her daughter, Paige, have had personal experience traveling with LEAP on their missions and have seen the results of the life-changing specialized medical and surgical services performed by the surgeons and the positive effect that LEAP has, not only on the children but the families involved. She thanked LEAP for their support and bringing her family on to be a part of their mission. 

After a compelling video of LEAP’s work since the beginning of the pandemic, despite pandemic related challenges and travel restrictions, LEAP has continued to adapt and has found ways to keep serving those in need. For example, in Zimbabwe, LEAP funded clinics for local medical professionals to perform craniofacial surgeries; in India, a lifesaving oxygen generator was purchased; and in Belize, funding has begun for a new hospital pediatric wing.    

Dr. Beale said that thanks to the Cheryl Lamon Memorial Fund, they have brought patients to the United States who would not otherwise be able to have their surgery and have had their surgeries here. He and Dr. Huay-Zong Law introduced a video about Manuel, a 2-year-old from Nicaragua who received free surgical care through the program last year.    

Dr. Hobar said that LEAP Global Missions is celebrating 32 years as a nonprofit organization and that this continued success is because of the medical volunteers, generous supporters and donors who make it happen. Because of that support, they have done over 10,000 surgeries on patients representing 24 countries, working alongside the local doctors in training and giving them experience. Most recently, Dr. Steve Orten and Dr. Hobar traveled to Ukraine and helped perform surgery at two pediatric hospitals and a military hospital. Under the direction of Drs. Hobar, Orten, and Chris Conner, LEAP Global Missions will collaborate with multiple hospitals and organizations to provide ongoing surgical support and training in Ukraine. LEAP is dedicated to enhancing and enriching the lives of people around the world by providing free specialized medical and surgical services inspired by the love of Christ.    

Continuing, Dr. Hobar said LEAP is committed to developing long-term relationships with the patients, their communities, and other partners involved in the missions. By returning to the same countries, the teams are able to build trust, offer ongoing education, and continue caring for those who need long-term medical services.  

Dr. Hobar thanked the Ukranians who were there: Anna Khomiak, Ihor Khomiak and Dr. Christina Pohranychna. He said that LEAP had a world-class team of 11 medical volunteers, including 9 surgeons, who traveled to Lviv in March 2023. Their next trip is June 2023 and then again the fall.          

Dr. Pohranychna shared heartfelt moments that stirred everyone’s hearts, saying that Ukraine is fighting for the right to be free against Putin, who is working to destroy Ukraine. She said that she, the patients and their families thank LEAP, that without its help, they would not be able to perform these surgeries.

In a spirited and sincere moment, the Beales recognized LEAP board members and volunteers and asked everyone who has been on mission trips to stand. They received a standing ovation in return.  

The host committee included Julie and Craig Beale; Haylie and Bert Crouch; Margaret and David Danielson; Alexis and Dr. Rich Derksen; Mary Clare Finney; Hillary and Eric Gilbert; Dr. Michael Lee; Denise and Ray Nixon; Linsey and Ryan Nixon; Tracy and Dr. Steve Orten; Michelle and Dr. Tripp Parker; Allison and Robb Parks; Lauren and Cullen Thomason; Bunny and Michael Tibbals; Adair and Clark Webb; Monica and Leland White.    

Learn more about LEAP Global Missions and how the community can be involved by visiting the website at www.leapmissions.org       
 

About LEAP:        LEAP is dedicated to enhancing and enriching the lives of people around the world by providing free specialized medical and surgical services inspired by the love of Christ.

Founded over 30 years ago by Dr. Craig Hobar, LEAP Global Missions volunteers have performed over 10,000 surgeries on patients (mostly children) from 24 countries.

LEAP is committed to developing long-term relationships with our patients, their communities, and other partners involved in our missions. By returning to the same countries, we are able to build trust, offer ongoing education, and continue caring for those who need long-term medical services.

Despite pandemic related challenges and travel restrictions, LEAP has continued to adapt and has found ways to keep serving those in need. For example, in Zimbabwe, LEAP funded clinics for local medical professionals to perform craniofacial surgeries; in India, a lifesaving oxygen generator was purchased; and in Belize, funding has begun for a new hospital pediatric wing.

Most recently, Dr. Steve Orten and Dr. Craig Hobar traveled to Ukraine and helped perform surgery at two pediatric hospitals and a military hospital. Under the direction of Dr. Hobar, Dr. Orten, and Dr. Chris Conner, LEAP Global Missions will collaborate with multiple hospitals nad organizations to provide ongoing surgical support and training in Ukraine.

Learn more by visiting the website at www.leapmissions.org 

*Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent LEAP’s gala and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)