Heart to Heart responds to cyclone victims in Myanmar

OLATHE, Kan./May 7, 2008 — Heart to Heart International Inc., a leading global humanitarian organization, today announced that it is sending medical aid to areas hardest hit over the weekend by a cyclone in the South Asian country of Myanmar (Burma). Heart to Heart is working with several humanitarian partners in the region to care for survivors of the tropical storm.

“We are working quickly to respond to emerging needs in Myanmar,” said Dr. Jeff DeGraffenreid, Heart to Heart’s chief programs officer. “As the death toll rises and more people are displaced by this storm, we fear a second crisis is imminent: The rapid spread of disease and health risks due to exposure.”

On Saturday, May 3, a massive cyclone struck the southern coast of Myanmar, near the capital city of Yangon (Rangoon). Official statistics list the death toll at 20,000-25,000; 40,000-45,000 missing; and more than 1 million homeless due to the cyclone. International aid experts estimate that the dead count could rise to nearly 100,000 if extraordinary measures are not immediately taken to care for the survivors of the storm.

In response, Heart to Heart has mobilized an advance team to assess ongoing needs and report findings back to its world headquarters in Olathe. The organization has already sent multiple units of the Ready Relief Box™ -- a portable pharmacy that can treat up to 400 people. Heart to Heart expects to send more units in the coming days.

Myanmar’s government is slowly opening the borders to international groups. Heart to Heart requests financial support to care for tens of thousands of people in the coming weeks and months. Interested individuals, companies and groups may make a cash donation by calling Heart to Heart’s toll-free hotline at 866-341-GIVE, giving online at www.hearttoheart.org, or mailing a check or money order to 401 S. Clairborne, Suite 302, Olathe, KS 66062.