MDRT Gives through its Foundation

By Sally W. Munford, CLU, MSFS

Endorsing a grant for an organization you are most passionate about is a typical way members first get involved with the MDRT Foundation. For me, this wasn’t quite the case.  While serving as the 2009-10 MDRT Foundation President, I delivered a grant check to a charity with which I was unfamiliar. That charity was Mercy Ships.

Sally Munford, CLU, MSFS

After a canceled flight, followed by an eight-hour drive, I arrived at Mercy Ships’ facilities, where I met many of their employees and learned about their mission. This charity provides surgeries from a hospital ship docked off the coast of Africa to poverty-stricken people who have birth defects, benign tumors and specific types of gynecological problems.

I was so moved by this experience that I wanted to stay involved with Mercy Ships. This resulted in another trip on the Africa Mercy, which was docked off the coast of Madagascar. I lived on board for several days observing surgeries, visiting the dental clinic, seeing the patients in the hospital wards and so forth.

Although I’m unable now to go back to volunteer there, I’m fully committed to fundraising as well as spreading the word about this very important work.

Not only did the Foundation introduce me to the work of Mercy Ships, it also followed up with the charity and featured it on Main Platform at the 2016 MDRT Annual Meeting in Vancouver. At the meeting, I hosted Mercy Ships’ founder, Don Stephens, and was privileged to learn in detail of his incredible love and commitment to the people of Africa. It will come full circle now as I request grants in the future from the Foundation to continue this work to which I have become committed.

What brought you to the Foundation? We all have a story to share. I am excited to support the MDRT Foundation’s new global online fundraising initiative, MDRT Gives Day, on November 8. I hope you join me in sharing your story on November 8 along with a donation to support the global grant programs. This exclusive membership benefit changed my life forever. Thank you MDRT Foundation.

Sally Munford is a 30-year MDRT member from San Antonio, Texas, and the 2009 and 2010 MDRT Foundation President.