Doctor John Cross

Denver, Colorado

Medical Wings International gives me the opportunity to be a goodwill ambassador all around the globe. I am fortunate to represent my homeland of USA and my profession of Optometry in a way that would make anyone's mom proud as can be.

Thanks to the exceptional organizational abilities of MWI and the unique sponsorship of American Airlines, we are able to go into places such as Canete, Peru and help a populace devastated by the earthquake in August 2007. MWI team meets their extensive ocular, medical and dental needs. The days spent at the clinic are long and difficult, but extremely rewarding. Of the five to six hundred people treated in the eye clinic, the Eye Team provided functional spectacle correction to more than 90% of those seeking care. We also treated a significant number of glaucoma cases, a handful of eye infections and epidemic amount of dry eye syndrome, exposure keratoconjunctivitis and pterygium.

We are very grateful for the support of the pharmaceutical companies like Alcon and Allergan who donated the much needed and expensive, medication to treat the people of Canete. To serve these extremely appreciative people and providing them with the care they need is very fulfilling.

Always a highlight of these missions is the interpreters drawn from the local employees of American Airlines they are indispensable. They gave freely of their time with never the slightest complaint in oftentimes-difficult working conditions. They are an asset to their fellow citizens, and to their employers, and are an integral part of our mission teams.

So from the "Eye Team”, I'd like to express sincere thanks to Medical Wings International, American Airlines and the people and companies who donate eyeglasses and medications for these mission trips. They make it possible for us to enjoy these incredible adventures, providing goodwill throughout the world.