Mercy Ships “A Transformational Journey” Miami Signature Event Wins Widespread Support

Mercy Ships proudly joined “Give Miami Day” on November 16, 2023, to amplify the spirit of philanthropy exhibited by the incredible South Florida community. Representatives from the hospital ship charity shared inspirational stories of patients and caregivers at the first annual signature event in the U.S., “A Transformational Journey.” They also expressed gratitude for the generous Miami business executives and philanthropists who came together to support and celebrate in the mission of hope and healing. This unique event held at The Temple House, one of the most iconic Art Deco properties in the U.S., transported attendees from Miami Beach to the Global Mercy®, which is currently in field service in Sierra Leone, Africa, through an immersive visual experience.

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Mercy Ships celebrates at 'The Transformational Journey' event alongside presenting sponsors inGroup International. From (L to R): Kees-Jan de Maa, Media Director, inCruises; Michael Hutchison, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, inGroup International; Cecilia Villa, Vice President of Resource Development, Mercy Ships; Simone Jones, Director of New Business Development, Mercy Ships; Clark Rachuig, Corporate Development Manager, Mercy Ships; Heather Hutchison, Michael Hutchinson’s wife. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Global Mercy is the largest non-governmental hospital ship in the world. During the field service in Sierra Leone, more than 2,100 life-changing surgeries will be performed including maxillofacial, reconstructive, orthopedic, and ophthalmic.

This event was made possible thanks to the presenting sponsor, inGroup, and the generosity of corporate partners, sponsors, and local philanthropists. Michael Hutchison, Co-founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of inGroup, said, “We first became aware of Mercy Ships three years ago in a vulnerable time for the global travel industry and immediately fell in love with how profoundly Mercy Ships serves, and even transforms those who are vulnerable.”

Hutchison continued, “Their mission aligns perfectly with our core 'live to give' value and our overarching desire to always lead with love. We have only become more passionate about the hope and healing they deliver and are deeply grateful for the opportunity to support their transformational journey!"

Sponsors of the event included AON, Mindwize, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Goldman Sachs, and Safe Harbors. Event Champions included COMPASS, Seatrade Cruise, Virgin Voyages, WISTA USA, SES, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Microsoft, Lloyd’s Register, Global Miami Magazine, Abbott, and CLIA. Special acknowledgements are extended to Mercy Ships supporters from the Sierra Leone Consulate and the Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Office.

“On behalf of our founders, Don and Deyon Stephens, our CEO, Gert van de Weerdhof and our board of directors, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who attended the event and shared our vision. The compassion and generosity of our donors have profoundly changed patients’ lives in the African nations we serve,” said Michael Cowan, Treasurer and Board member of Mercy Ships Foundation, who chaired this special signature event.

More than $305,000 was raised in donations and pledges towards the fundraising campaign goal of $600,000 to support the HOPE Center in Sierra Leone (Hospital Out-Patient Extension Center). These funds will provide the much-needed support for Mercy Ships’ patients as they prepare for their surgery and as they recover post-procedure. To fulfill this mission, Mercy Ships also invites professional and medical volunteers to dedicate their time and skills in roles ranging from several weeks to several months or even years.

Be a part of this life-changing initiative and make a donation at www.mercyships.org/miami2023.

ABOUT MERCY SHIPS:

Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.

Each year, more than 3,000 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy®. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical, obstetric, and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit mercyships.org and follow @MercyShips on social media.

Why Africa? Mercy Ships focuses on the need for access to safe surgery in sub-Saharan Africa where 93% of the population have little or no access to healthcare. With only two physicians per 10,000 people on the continent of Africa, many lack access to even basic medical facilities, let alone safe surgical care. African heads of state invite Mercy Ships to their nations, not only to help address the lack of surgery but also to train healthcare professionals ‘in country.’

ABOUT INGROUP:

inGroup International owns the world’s largest subscription-based travel club inCruises. Since launching in 2016, inCruises has added more than one million Members and Partners from more than 200 countries and territories. inStays was added in 2022, giving Members access to 200,000 cruises, hotels, and resort offers.

inGroup is making a measurable difference in its Club Members' lives and provides a world-class business to its growing Partner team. inCruises Club Membership grows exclusively through independent referring Partners who can earn compensation by sharing the exclusive Membership advantages with others.

inGroup International is deeply committed to being a positive global corporate citizen and actively supports Mercy Ships and other humanitarian relief efforts. For more information, visit in.Group and inCruises.com.

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