By Duke Medicine News and Communications

The following memo was sent on Aug. 31 to the Duke Medicine community from Victor J. Dzau, MD, chancellor for health affairs and president and CEO, Duke University Health System:

Our hearts go out to those who live, work and study along the Gulf Coast as we watch with dismay the absolute devastation from Hurricane Katrina. I know you join me in wanting to help those whose lives have been disrupted by the disaster. We have been in contact with the major national relief agencies and not unexpectedly, they are urging that the public make cash contributions which they can disperse where the needs are greatest.

The Federal Disaster Coordinating Center in NC has been activated, which means that hospitals (including those in our health system) across NC could possibly receive some of the 2,500 people in Louisiana alone who are in need of medical attention. Duke Medicine is also prepared to send a team of health care professionals to Louisiana as part of the State Medical Assistance Team. The team, which includes representatives from Duke Hospital, Durham Regional Hospital, and Duke Health Raleigh Hospital, is prepared to leave as early as Friday to assist in setting up a field hospital outside of New Orleans.

I know that the university is considering how best to coordinate many outreach efforts to support those affected by the hurricane and we will work closely with these plans as they develop.

For those of you who have family and friends in the affected areas, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones during this difficult time. I urge every member of the Duke Medicine family to do what you can to help those whose lives have been so disrupted by this disaster. Listed below are some of the agencies that you might want to consider donating to.

Red Cross
redcross.org
Phone: 1-800-HELP-NOW
Mail: Make checks payable to Central North Carolina Chapter
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 52509,
Durham 27717-2509
OR
American Red Cross
100 North Peartree Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610

The Red Cross is also asking for additional blood donations.

Salvation Army
www.salvationarmyusa.org
Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
Checks: send checks, earmarked 'disaster relief,' to:
P.O. Box 4857
Jackson, MS 39296-4857

FOODBANK of Central & Eastern North Carolina is accepting paper goods, single-serving snacks, cleaning supplies, peanut butter, single-serving meals that do not require refrigeration. Drop-off sites are at:

708 Gilbert Street, Durham (919-956-2513)
3808 Tarheel Drive, Raleigh (919-875-0707)

HELPING HANDS -- A local organization is collecting gloves, shovels, water, toiletries and nonperishable foods to be taken into disaster areas. Donations may be dropped off at:

Helping Hand Mission
623 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh through Sept 5.
Call 919-829-8048 for more info.

We will keep you apprised during the coming days and weeks about our efforts to help our neighbors to the South.