Turia Pitt for Interplast

As you probably know, I was badly burned during the 2011 Kimberley Ultra-marathon. Burns to 65% of my body, multiple finger amputations, over twenty operations… the list goes on!

Despite everything I’ve been through, I am overwhelmingly positive about my future, and I’ve grown and learnt so much as a person. 

I’ve learnt how people can just step up and surprise you with their love and generosity 
I’ve learnt how precious family and friends really are in our lives. 
Most importantly, I've learnt just how bloody lucky we all are to live in Australia! Free education. Great roads. Beautiful landscapes. And one of the best medical systems in the world. 

How great is this country of ours. I know for a fact that I would not have survived my burns – had I lived in a developing nation such as Burma or the Philippines. It’s a sobering thought.

Interplast is a charity that provides free reconstructive to people living in developing nations. So they could perform surgery on people with cleft palate, women who are victims of an acid attack or even other burn survivors. My plastic surgeon also volunteers for Interplast on an annual basis, so you can understand why I feel so close to the cause!

Michael and I were privileged enough to be able to travel with Interplast on a humanitarian mission to Laos, where we saw first-hand the work that Interplast does. It was both challenging and confronting to see kids and adults alike with such horrific injuries – particularly since the injuries would be easily treatable here in Australia (see attached photo of Michael and I with a Laotian patient). At the same time, I was inspired by the resilience, resourcefulness and adaptability of all the patients that the Interplast team treated. 

I believe in Interplast even more now that I have seen the tangible impact that this organisation has. 

 

This brings me to the real purpose of this email. Interplast needs funding for medical supplies, medical equipment and training of local doctors and nurses. 

Here’s how YOU can put your thoughts into action…

 

1) You can buy a ticket to the Interplast Cocktail Night on the 15th of May (www.trybooking.com/DVRJ)
2) If you can’t make the Interplast Cocktail Night, you can buy a ‘virtual’ ticket (www.trybooking.com/DVRJ)
3) You can donate to my online fundraising page here

 

Turia Pitt