Paul Derstine Global Fund

Thank you!

Response to last year's establishment of the Paul Derstine Global Fund was overwhelming. Paul, president of IMA World Health for almost 18 years, retired in November 2009, leaving behind the legacy of unique, visionary leadership and an organization capable of meeting the international public health challenges of tomorrow.

But the need is still great. Your help last year was vital in IMA directly impacting over 2 million Haitians and millions more in the DR Congo, Southern Sudan and Tanzania.

Paul Derstine at work in Africa.

During Paul's presidential term IMA developed from a small organization that obtained medications and supplies for a few agencies, to become a significant leader and catalyst in advancing health care systems in the developing world. In addition, Paul and his senior departmental managers assembled a highly-dedicated and talented staff at IMA, furthering his legacy even more.

Will you provide a gift for this Fund? Your gift will continue to honor Paul and help us carry on his visionary work, building on the solid foundation he has laid. During the past year many of IMA's friends and partners stepped forward to honor him and funds raised by the appeal brought significant health and healing to so many in our hurting world.

In last year's appeal and introduction to the Fund we said:

"The purpose of the Paul Derstine Global Fund is in keeping with Paul's deep desire to make funds available to respond to the changing needs and environments of global health care, giving IMA the flexibility and agility needed to meet those challenges."

Now that the Paul Derstine Global Fund has been established, it is essential that it grow and expand to support the worldwide work of IMA. The Fund is IMA's "gift" to Paul, but it is Paul's gift of leadership and his sense of purpose which motivates us to reach out to the impoverished all over the world.

Continuing to build on the foundation Paul created will honor him in ways other gifts could not. Nearly $60,000 was raised in last year's appeal and for that support we are extremely grateful. IMA needs to continue providing health services to poor communities facing post-disaster and post-conflict challenges. Friends, family, colleagues and partners like you help to make that a reality.

Paul Derstine

A gift to the Paul Derstine Global Fund brings health care to children around the world.

Millions are now impacted by IMA's work, a direct result of Paul's vision. His leadership of IMA has had direct impact on the health of populations in some of the poorest countries in the world, from the DR Congo and Southern Sudan with the strengthening of functioning post-conflict health systems, to critical and essential interventions in Tanzania and Haiti.

In the past year IMA has established itself as a leader in responding with treatment and counseling to victims of sexual and gender-based violence in eastern Congo. The Safe Motherhood Kit and IMA Medicine Box continue to set an industry standard for rapid, extremely effective responses to immediate health concerns.

Please help keep Paul's legacy moving forward with your gift to the Paul Derstine Fund this year. By doing so, you will not only be honoring Paul Derstine but also supporting the life-giving work of IMA which is so important to him.

Thank you for helping to advance Paul's vision for helping those who need it most.

With deepest gratitude,

Rick Santos
President and CEO
IMA World Health