Fire
Sprinkler Industry is “Giving Back”
Rosemary John, an 18-year old African girl, of
Mwanza, Tanzania, is being treated at the Regions Hospital Burn Center in St.
Paul, Minnesota after many people spent months cutting through red tap to get
her to Minnesota for the critical medical care she needs. The goal is to return
Rosemary to her country a healed and hopeful young woman with a whole world of
new friends.
Rosemary
was cooking over the family kerosene stove in July 1998 when the stove
exploded. The flash and fuel burned Rosemary’s flesh, leaving her with third
degree burns covering more than 30 percent of her body. The injuries to her
chest, arms, hands, neck and face were life threatening.
Usually,
that’s the end of the story for young burn victims in Africa. Most do not
survive. The few who survive, because of the expense and time involved in
caring for a burn survivor, are usually abandoned by their families to live in
hospitals, orphanages or other institutions. After the medical staff at Bugando
Medical Center saved and stabilized Rosemary, she became a permanent patient,
settling in and making the most of her new home.
Through
the relentless efforts of Jerry Merkel, United Sprinkler Inc. of Minnesota,
active in NFSA for over 20 years, Rosemary was brought to Minnesota for
treatment. Jerry enlisted U. S. Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota to clear
visa, birth certificate and customs issues. American Airlines and British
Airways flew Rosemary and her nurse, Joyce Kokutona, to St. Paul free of
charge, and provided comfortable quarters when layovers were necessary.
Doctors
at Regions Burn Center, led by Drs. Lynn Solemn and Warren Schubert, have
donated their time for reconstructive and plastic surgery. Drs. Claire Buckley
and Frank Benfante work closely with the case also. As of June 10, Rosemary has
had three of the expected surgeries at a to date cost of about $130,000. The
surgeries have eased scar tissue making Rosemary’s arm, neck and hand more
flexible. She needs many more surgeries for optimum recovery. Jerry negotiated
a discount for surgical care from Regions Hospital, but hospital costs are
still estimated to top $700,000.
Merkel
and the “Friends of Rosemary John Committee” are working to raise funds to pay
for Rosemary’s care. “We need a lot of help for Rosemary,” Merkel said. He has
enlisted the Lions Club organizations in Minnesota to be the 501(c)(3)
clearinghouse for contributions to Rosemary’s treatment. This process makes all
contributions tax deductible.
“Burn
injury treatment is part of the fire sprinkler industry’s service to humanity,”
said committee member Phil Saunders, NFSA Regional Manager. “There are projects
throughout the U.S. with this cause. Jerry is doing it! He is an industry
friend, a long time member of the sprinkler industry who is ‘giving back’. He
now is doing something more personal. Rosemary probably would have gone through
life drawn and crippled by her injuries if Jerry and his Uncle Dan and others
who are leading this project had not said yes to the idea.”
Rosemary
is the oldest of eight children. She speaks both the national language Swahili
and the language of her ethnic group-Kuria. She does not speak any English. She
is Catholic and has attended primary school until the fourth year.
Accompanying
Rosemary is her nurse, Joyce Kokutona. Joyce is a nurse at the Bugando Medical
Center in Tanzania. She is with Rosemary most of the time, many nights sleeping
on a roll away bed in Rosemary’s room. She is looking forward “to learn how
nursing is done in the states” she said. She really wants to try to understand
burn-nursing care even if it means watching surgery, being in recovery with
Rosemary or at her bedside during dressing changes.
Liz
Mach, a Maryknoll (Lay Person) missionary of the Bugando Medical Center in
Tanzania said, “Joyce is one of our Nursing Officers, is smart and will learn
quickly. I have great faith in her ability to watch and learn. Whatever she is
able to pick up will enhance our patient care here at Bugando Medical Center.”
Jerry
Merkel and his Uncle Dan Merkel of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, learned of Rosemary
through Dr. Wendelin Schaefer, Program Director, Orthopedics Overseas at
Bugando Medical Center. Dr. Schaefer met Rosemary John while volunteering his
specialty at the Center in Tanzania.
The “Friends of Rosemary” are asking everyone in the
fire sprinkler industry to help by contributing whatever they can to help in
this good cause. Gifts for Rosemary’s care may be made out to: Lions of
Minnesota Charitable Foundation (please note Rosemary on your check) and mailed
to Hamel Lions, 172 Hamel Road, Hamel, MN 55340.
Rosemary
and Joyce penned this thank you to all those who have helped:
On behalf of me – Rosemary
John and my parents – Mr. & Mrs. Rhobi John – I have a pleasure to convey
my many thanks to you for what you have done to help me. Thanks for your
kindness, your financial assistance and for everything.
Now I’m getting further
treatment here at Regional Hospital just because of you.
I think I am one among the
lucky people because there are many who need help like me, but they didn’t
happen to get it.
I have nothing to give you
but you are always in my prayers . . .and I believe God will pay you.
Thanks
It is me
Rosemary John
Note: A word from NFSA President, John A. Viniello
“The sprinkler industry for many years has supported
a number of worthwhile causes many of which are associated with burn centers.
This cause, being championed by Jerry Merkel puts a name and a face on someone
who needs help. Please help support Jerry in his effort to improve the quality
of life of this young girl. It certainly brings a very worthwhile cause to a
very personal level.”