Posts by Laura Kelly
Five Food Banks Receive Grants in the Aftermath of Devastating Tornadoes
BBF Global Relief responded to recent tornadoes that struck several states in the Midwest and South over the past month by providing grants to our network of food banks. Food Bank of Iowa A series of tornadoes that ripped through Iowa in late May killed five people and hurt 35 others. Greenfield, Iowa, a town…
Read MoreMaking an Impact Through Collaborations – Your Support at Work
The email from Lawney Snyder, the CEO of the Eye & Ear Foundation, mentioned Dr. Eugene Myers and Dr. Jose Zevallos, the founding and current Chairs of Otolaryngology at UPMC respectively, wanting to visit BBF to discuss a potential program to get more surgical equipment to countries in need. Lawney said Dr. Myers was a…
Read MorePreparing and Caring This Summer
A Letter From Vice President of Communications and Development Laura Kelly Dear Friends, Welcome to the summer edition of our magazine! As the season unfolds, so do our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the world. This issue spotlights each area of our core programs, as well as our disaster response summer campaign, and…
Read MoreDriving Positive Change for Pittsburgh
BBF Golf Classic Returns for Fourth Year The Fourth Annual BBF Golf Classic will be held July 15th at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh. This year’s platinum event sponsors are Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Allegheny Health Network, and UPMC Health Plan. The event raises money for BBF’s local healthcare and education initiatives.…
Read MoreTurning Pages, Transforming Lives
Latest Donation from McGraw Hill Brings Education Resources to the Philippines and Honduras Following a generous donation from McGraw Hill, BBF is sending over 120,000 books and vocabulary cards to schools in the Philippines and Honduras. On-the-ground partners ChildFund International and Children International will distribute nine shipments of education materials to schools teaching kindergartners to…
Read MoreReady, Set, Respond!
BBF is Prepared For Hurricane Season, Are You? Hurricane season has arrived—and predictions are indicating a busy year. Researchers at Colorado State University are forecasting an exceptionally active hurricane season for 2024 with 23 named storms. A typical season produces only 14 named storms, and if experts’ predictions are correct, this year may be one…
Read MoreA Sunny Solution: Chennai Water Filtration Project
Funding from BBF has facilitated a solar-powered water filtration system at the Velappanchavadi Government School in Chennai, India. The filtration system, which includes a solar array, a solar-powered borewell pump, and a water storage tank with a platform, will provide clean water to the school’s 400 students and 12,000 surrounding residents. The Velappanchavadi Government School…
Read MoreBlossoming Beyond Breast Cancer
BBF Global Relief has given a grant to Keepers of the Flame Foundation to provide breast cancer patients and survivors with professional counseling services. Keepers of the Flame Foundation is a nonprofit in Savannah, Georgia whose mission is to empower breast cancer patients to weather their diagnoses both physically and emotionally. Joyce Williams, the founder…
Read MoreMaking Strides in Local Healthcare
BBF’s fourth mobile health clinic is now operational In April, BBF Global Relief celebrated the inauguration of its fourth mobile health van at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at BBF’s warehouse. The van was donated to local healthcare provider Allegheny Health Network and will be used to provide primary care services to individuals in under-served areas. “We’re…
Read MoreLocal concert raises money for disaster response in Ukraine
A group of Pittsburgh-based musicians performed at MCG Jazz in a concert that raised money for BBF Global Relief.
Read MoreFree Mobile Health Clinic Supports Puerto Rico’s Struggling Communities
Students at Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico operate a mobile health van, bringing essential medical services to a different underserved community each month. The clinic, Clinica del Sur, was established in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2016. It assists patients in navigating Puerto Rico’s complex healthcare system by offering free lab tests,…
Read MoreMedical supplies and hospital beds provide critical aid to Hospital in Malawi
A 40-foot container of medical supplies and medical equipment from BBF Global Relief has arrived at St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Nguludi, Malawi. The shipment includes 30 hospital beds donated by Joerns Healthcare, thousands of FIGS scrubs, and 10,000 syringes. Sister Mercy Kanyumbu, the hospital administrator of St. Joseph’s, said healthcare workers have…
Read MoreBBF Shipment Helps Grenada Hospital in Urgent Need of Supplies
BBF Global Relief sent a shipment of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to St. George’s Hospital in Grenada, one of three public hospitals operated by the country’s Ministry of Health. About 38 percent of the population in Grenada lives below the poverty line. The country’s healthcare system faces many challenges, including the constant lack of…
Read MoreBBF Funds Therapy Program For Ukrainian Children With Trauma
BBF Global Relief has given a grant to the Heart & Valor Foundation to help Ukrainian children recover from the severe physical and mental trauma caused by the Russian invasion. Heart & Valor Foundation, a non-profit organization based in New York, builds public awareness and support for Ukraine by raising funds for the rehabilitation of…
Read MoreDonation Strengthens Efforts to Lower Maternal Mortality Rate
A shipment of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies from BBF Global Relief supported a training initiative to enhance the quality of maternal and newborn health services in Sierra Leone. BBF Global Relief sent a 40-foot container to the Healey International Relief Foundation in August 2023. Since 2001, the Healey Foundation has helped Sierra Leone strengthen…
Read MoreMed-Surg Highlight: Operation International
More than 100 bottles of medication from BBF were donated to a medical mission group that performed head and neck surgeries in Tarija, Bolivia. Operation International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides free medical care to people in need regardless of their gender, cultural, ethnic, political, or religious affiliations. In October 2023, the organization’s…
Read MoreUnwavering Compassion: Iryna Vashchuk Discipio’s Mission to Heal Ukraine’s Heroes
As Ukraine reaches a solemn milestone of two years since the invasion, the spotlight falls on the remarkable dedication and unwavering commitment of Iryna Vashchuk Discipio. From her achievements on the track to her transformative work in aiding wounded soldiers, Vashchuk Discipio embodies determination and compassion. She has tirelessly advocated for those who have sacrificed…
Read MoreBlossoming Beyond Program Update
We are thrilled to share an exciting update on our Blossoming Beyond breast cancer program. Thanks to the incredible support of our donors, our fall campaign was a tremendous success, allowing us to further our mission of providing vital assistance to those affected by breast cancer. Thank you to all who generously contributed. In line…
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