Susan Fowler, Director of Programs for Direct Relief International, received a prestigious humanitarian award from the Diwaliben Charitable Trust of India for her work alleviating suffering in developing countries. As Direct Relief's liaison in India for 15 years, Fowler has overseen the distribution of tens of millions of dollars in aid, including after a devastating 2001 earthquake. Direct Relief President Thomas Tighe praised Fowler for embodying the organization's mission of respecting those served and empowering self-sufficiency.

1. In the News In the News
Direct Relief Official DirectARelief
Receives Prestigious Humanitarian Award
INTERN TIONAL
Susan Fowler, Director of Programs for Direct Relief International, was honored with a 2003 Award
Nonprofit “Shareholders”
Healthy people. Better world.
of Excellence from the Diwaliben Charitable Trust of India. Previous recipients of this prestigious
award have been Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Albert Schweitzer, and the Dalai Lama XIV.
The award recognizes outstanding individuals for “alleviating the suffering of the poor in develop-
Meet for the First Time
ing countries.”
Direct Relief International held its first-ever “Shareholders’ expect and deserve to know the value of their investment
The Diwaliben Trust supports health care institutions throughout India and has been a longtime
Meeting and Symposium” on March 6th in Santa Barbara, in human terms – what services were provided, who ulti-
partner of Direct Relief’s in distributing humanitarian aid. As Direct Relief’s principal liaison with
California. “Shareholder” is a term usually reserved for the mately benefited, and whether the work was done cost
Indian health organizations for 15 years, Fowler has worked closely with the Trust, overseeing tens
corporate world, but Direct Relief’s President and CEO, Tho- effectively.”
of millions of dollars in aid to India, including emergency aid after a devastating earthquake in
Susan Fowler accepts her award in India. mas Tighe, believes it should have a wider application. “Di-
Gujarat, India in 2001. In January, Fowler returned to India to visit some of Direct Relief’s
Photo by Jay Farbman rect Relief considers every person who contributes money, ma- To put a face on Direct Relief’s work, three of the
THE BULLETIN
partners and to accept her award from the Diwaliben Trust.
terial, or time to have made an investment in our work. They organization’s overseas partners made presentations. Ma-
are our nonprofit version of a shareholder,” explained Tighe. dame Vivian Oku, a nurse and midwife from Motoka Is-
In talking about Fowler’s award, Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief’s President and CEO, said “Susan’s chosen path in life has been to help lift others up,
land, Ghana, Dr. Dhananjay Kelkar of Pune, India, and
which she has done with a big heart and a terrifically sharp mind. In her leadership role at Direct Relief, she has embodied our organization’s
The event was covered by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, which Dr. Ralph Kuon of the Peruvian American Medical Soci-
mission and approach—unfailing respect for the people we serve and focus on providing tools that enable people to help themselves.”
observed that the meeting “may have been the first such event ety each spoke about their work and how Direct Relief
This newsletter was written and designed by Direct Relief International staff. Printed on recycled paper. in the nonprofit world.” The Chronicle also pointed out that, has made a difference in their efforts. To offer the per-
“the issue of accountability is especially timely now, given the spective of one of Direct Relief’s many corporate in-kind
recent controversies over whether nonprofit groups are abid- donors, Dean Paranicas, Vice President of Investor Rela-
ing by their donors’ intent.” tions and Public Affairs at BD (formerly Becton
Dickinson), also spoke about BD’s extensive charitable
programs to enhance health care.
The event’s keynote speaker was W.
Randall Jones, editor-in-chief of Worth
magazine. Jones annually devotes an issue
of Worth to identify “America’s 100 Best
Charities”, which named Direct Relief in
the 2001/2002 edition. In his lively talk,
info@directrelief.org entitled “From Punk Rock to Activist Phi-
www.directrelief.org lanthropy— How to Change the World in
Fax | 805.681.4838 Three Easy Steps,” Jones talked about his
Tel | 805.964.4767 philosophy of “Dying Broke.” He called
California 93117
for people to make their charitable contri-
Santa Barbara
27 South La Patera Lane
butions while living so they can see their
Direct Relief overseas partners Dr. Kuon, Dr. Kelkar, and Madame Oku with CEO Mr. Tighe money put to work. He noted that this is
particularly important due to the projected
The audience of over 200 Direct Relief supporters included massive inter-generational transfer of wealth to the baby
INTERNATIONAL
Santa Barbara, CA Direct Relief
Permit 756 financial contributors, overseas partners, corporate donors, and boom generation that will occur in the next few years.
PAID community members. In his opening remarks, Tighe told the Spring, 2003
U.S. Postage audience, “We know that our investors do not seek a personal The full text of “The Chronicle of Philanthropy” article about
Non Profit Organization return on investment in straight financial terms – their in- the Shareholders’ Meeting and Symposium can be found on
vestment is to benefit others. However, we believe that they our website at www.directrelief.org.

2. In Focus Volunteer Profile
Rick Closson
Corporate
Industry Leaders Provide
Partners New Support Whether it’s sorting in the pharmacy, packing in
the warehouse, organizing fundraising events,
isfaction he receieves in his work as a health care
professional.
preparing mailings, or helping to put on our
monthly luncheons, Direct Relief depends on the Rick and his wife Cathy live in Santa Barbara
From January 1st through March 31st of
effortsofmanyvolunteerstobetheeffectiveand where they have raised two children—Caren, who
2003, Direct Relief shipped medical
efficient organization our donors expect. With- is completing a Ph.D. in Marine Biology at
products with a wholesale value of over
out the 400 volunteers who help out in some ca- Stanford, and Derek, who is studying Computer
$8.8 million. The vast majority of these
Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. recently Direct Relief has recently received the larg- pacityeveryyear,ourprofessionalstaffof29sim- Science at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.
products were donated by American
included Direct Relief International in its est single donation of surgical instruments in ply would not be able to do all that they do. Rick is a graduate of the School of Pharmacy at
corporations. We would like to thank
Annual Product Allotment Program. This its history from Miltex, Inc., the world’s lead- U.C. San Francisco where he has also been an in-
these corporate partners, without whom
gift allows Direct Relief to choose specific ing provider of surgical instruments. Scal- Rick Closson has been helping Direct Relief structor.
we would not be able to help so many Volunteer Rick Closson
pharmaceuticals from Merck’s product line, pels, scissors, and forceps are among the in- turn hospital excess into humanitarian gold
people around the world.
not just accept excess inventory, and since struments included in this multi-million dol- for the past seven years. As an Operating Twice a month, Rick loads up his car with for- Rick and Cathy have an interest in architecture
it is newly manufactured, the product will lar gift, which will dramatically improve Di- Room Pharmacist at St. John’s Regional Medi- ceps, scissors, I.V. sets, and other operating and historic preservation and contribute a signifi-
Abbott Laboratories
Alcon Laboratories, Inc. have the maximum amount of shelf life be- rect Relief’s ability to supply its partner hos- cal Center in Oxnard, California, Rick saw room supplies from St. John’s Hospital and cant amount of their time to the Pearl Chase So-
Allergan, Inc. fore reaching its expiration date. pitals and clinics. that a lot of supplies were discarded, and he brings them to Direct Relief. The supplies are ciety, an organization that celebrates Santa
Arm & Hammer knew there had to be a better place for them sorted, packed, and then shipped out around Barbara’s architecture. Rick edits the Society’s
Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
For 2003, Merck will fulfill Direct Relief’s This gift became a reality due to the efforts than a landfill. He contacted Direct Relief the world in response to specific requests. Rick monthly newsletter, and Cathy is the coordinator
Avon Products
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company requests for product on a quarterly basis. The of former Direct Relief Board Member Jim and found that some of the hospital’s excess believes that the personal satisfaction he real- of this year’s Historic Homes Walking Tour. Di-
John O. Butler Company first request was for VIOXX, Merck’s highly Eiting. Mr. Eiting is the Chairman of materials could be put to good use in other izes from volunteering for Direct Relief is an rect Relief is honored and enhanced as an organi-
Cordis Neurovascular, Inc. effective pain medication. VIOXX was Midmark Corporation, a longtime supporter countries. extension of the personal and professional sat- zation by the commitment of Rick Closson.
East West Associates
originally developed to treat osteoarthritis, of Direct Relief, and he also sits on the Board
Fine Science Tools, Inc.
Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. but it is also used for post-surgical and post- of Miltex. We are deeply grateful to Mr.
GlaxoSmithKline trauma pain control. Merck’s commitment Eiting and Miltex for this enormously impor-
Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies has the effect of dramatically increasing Di- tant donation. CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE ...
Johnson & Johnson Consumer rect Relief’s budget for purchasing pharma-
Landes, Inc.
ceuticals and will benefit thousands of 1,000 pairs of glasses donated by Rick Feldman
Mattell, Inc.
McKesson Corp. Medical Group people around the world. of The Eyeglass Factory in Santa Barbara. For
Medical Innovations, Inc. clinic staff, we left behind a focometer (a
Iraq Update
Merck & Co., Inc. stubby spyglass-looking tool used to determine
Microflex
correction for distance vision), along with the
Midmark Corporation
Miltex Instrument Company dental puppets, eye charts, and diabetes post-
In response to unfolding events in Iraq, Direct Relief has sent an initial shipment of
Nexxus Products Company ers.
Nordent Manufacturing, Inc. medicines and supplies and is coordinating with other groups for future assistance.
Omron Healthcare, Inc. On Friday, March 21, 2003, Direct Relief provided 120 pounds of medical materials,
“I am so grateful,” Dr. Laura said the morn-
Pacific Medical, Inc. valued at over $13,000, including basic antibiotics, analgesics, and first-aid items
Pfizer, Inc. ing we left, “for your creativity, your good-
that are recommended by the World Health Organization for use in emergencies. As
Henry Schein, Inc. will, and your ability.” She had us at ¡Hola!
Schering Plough Corporation needs assessments are completed and logistics channels cleared, Direct Relief will
At the lunch break that first clinic day, we
Shaman Botanicals provide targeted assistance for humanitarian purposes. For up to the minute informa-
were already making plans for what we could
Tandberg Telecom AS tion on our work in Iraq, please visit our website at www.directrelief.org.
Watson Pharmaceuticals do on our next trip.
World Kitchen, Inc.
Volunteer Pamela LaVigne traveled to Mexico in
Please Remember Direct Relief in your will and estate plans. March with Women for Direct Relief. The trip
was the group’s first on-site visit to one of Direct
Nancy Koppelman, chair of the women’s group, takes the blood pressure of a clinic patient.
Relief’spartnersoverseas.

3. From the Field From the Field
Women’s Group Serves Clinic in Mexico Support for Maternal and Child Health
by Pamela LaVigne
in Northern Laos
by Kelly Darnell, Program Officer
By any measure — lovely setting, genial host, the clinic that combined Spanish classes at scoliosis, head lice, and ear/nose/throat prob-
tasty food, full and satisfying days — the Mar de Jade with clinic work in Las Varas. lems.
Women for Direct Relief’s trip to Mexico was Each student stressed that the lack of access Located in the mountains of Northern Laos, During my visit we took a boat up river to
a memorable vacation. That it was also a to sophisticated tests and medical specialties We also showed groups of kids how to brush the Nale district consists of 83 villages and visit Ban Hadma. This village is one of 30
working visit to one of Direct Relief’s long- provided valuable practice in physical diag- and floss their teeth using two plush animal is home to over 35,000 people. The people villages with a health post staffed by a vil-
time local partners…well, that was a bonus. nosis that was less emphasized in their med puppets with big choppers (and a hidden of Nale had no access to medical care until lage member who has been trained and
school training. squirt bottle). Before and after their exams, the Nale Hospital was built in 1995 to pro- equipped by Nale Hospital. Each health
Fifteen women, including four Direct Relief vide services such as prenatal care, deliver- worker serves as a vital link between the hos-
staff members, made the five day trip in early ies, and well baby exams. The hospital is run pital and the village by providing early treat-
March to see—and be—Direct Relief’s sup- by Dr. Welcome, who volunteered to be as- ment for health problems such as malaria and
port for the work of Dr. Laura del Valle and signed to Nale and is one of a handful of dehydration and identifying villagers who
her clinic, La Casa Clinica Convivencia highly sought-after Laotian physicians who need to be referred to the hospital.
Campesina, in Las Varas, Mexico. had the opportunity to do their medical
Kelly Darnell at Nale Hospital
training in Vietnam. Staffing at the hospital Many villages like Ban Hadma moved down Photo by Bryan Watt
Our base was Mar de Jade, a resort about one also includes nine nurses, an assistant physi- from higher mountain elevations in recent
and a half hours by car north of Puerto cian, a nurse midwife, and a lab technician. years to be closer to medical care after being leaders took turns tying dozens of small
Vallarta, which is owned by Dr. Laura. Rev- hit by several epidemics. The chief of Ban strings around my wrist to protect me from
enue from the resort provides for approxi- Hadma said that although the harm and bring me a safe journey home.
mately half the costs of la Clinica. We met move was very hard on his village,
Dr. Laura on the open-air dining porch, over- he knew his people’s health and Kelly Darnell has been a Program Officer
looking a bay with impressive surf. A lively survival depended on it. at Direct Relief for four years. On her
woman quick to laugh, she pointed out dam- recenttriptoSoutheastAsiashevisited
age from the November hurricane, notably Direct Relief’s first donation to several facilities in Laos and Cambodia,
black boulders ringing the beach like rough the Nale Hospital arrived at the including facilities referred to Direct Relief
bleachers. Things were slowly returning to port shortly after my visit. With by our partner organization, Health
normal since the hurricane, and Dr. Laura virtually no operating budget of Volunteers Overseas. She previously
was proud to be celebrating 20 years in busi- its own, the Laotian Ministry of served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ivory
ness. Health was eager to assist in get- Coast, West Africa.
Women’s group member Judy Anticouni administers eye test.
ting supplies to one of its most re-
That night we met four medical students who mote hospitals. The Ministry Health Volunteers Overseas
were wrapping up a three-week rotation at Our short stay in Mexico gave us two days of kids played with supplies we had brought, worked hard to obtain all neces-
hands-on work in the clinic, with a day off blowing soap bubbles, drawing pictures, and sary customs clearance paperwork HVO is dedicated to improving the
between for R&R. Each clinic day we saw having their faces painted with stars and glit- and escorted the shipment along availability and quality of health care in
¡ GRACIAS! 100 people, mas o menos, with 50 kids in the ter—all big hits. the 30 hours of road it takes to developing countries through the
Thank you to Rick Feldman of The morning and 50 adults, mostly women, in the reach Nale from Vientiane. training and education of indigenous
Eyeglass Factory in Santa Barbara. His afternoon. We used every word of Spanish we had, and medical professionals. Each year, HVO
donation of 1,000 new eyeglasses was what we couldn’t say, we showed with wel- Out of gratitude for Direct sends U.S. healthcare professionals to
hand-carried to La Casa Clinica We set up in the clinic’s multipurpose patio, coming smiles, an arm around the shoulder, a Relief’s assistance, Nale Hospital over 25 countries to train local health
Convivencia Campesina on the arranging tables, pacing off distance for the thumbs-up, and pat on the back. staff and community members care providers. If you would like to
women’s group’s recent trip. His gen- eye charts, and pulling chairs and benches held a Basi ceremony which in- know more about becoming an HVO
erosity has had a profound impact on out of the sun. We had various stations: to Almost every adult we saw required correc- cluded a feast of local foods and a volunteer, please visit their website at
the people of Las Varas, Mexico. measure height, weight, and blood pressure; tive lenses, which we dispensed from the Young girl from the village of Ban Hadma small altar of their most precious www.hvousa.org.
to test vision; and for the kids, to check for Photo by Bryan Watt offerings. In the end, community
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE ...

4. Our Supporters
DIPLOMATIC CORPS
$1,000 to $2,499
Direct Relief International gratefully acknowledges the people who make our work possible.
(January 1, through March 31, 2003) The Antioch Company Dr. Dorothy Largay and Mr. Wayne Rosing
Bank of America Foundation, Inc. Lopker Family Foundation
Peter K. Barker Foundation Mr. Stephen McDonough
GLOBAL EMISSARY Mrs. Eunice Butler Mrs. C. B. McFie
$25,000 to $49,999 Mrs. James Carrigan Ms. Donna Mellon
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Celmayster Mr. Karl Metzenberg
Anonymous (2) Mr. Warren S. Farrell Mrs. Tom Mielko
Liselotte Kuttler Trust FedEx Mrs. Erna Molnar
The Estate of Florence Feiler Dr. Anwana Ntofon
WORLD HEALTH ENVOY Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Fisher Mr. and Mrs. Everett Pachner
$10,000 to $24,999 Fox Hill Farm Mr. E. Bryson Powell
Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Gaspar Mr. Michael Schmidtchen and Ms. Linda Thompson
Anonymous Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Gateway Apartments St. John of God Brothers
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Anticouni The Dorothea Haus Ross Foundation Mr. Matt Griffin and Ms. Evelyne Rozner The Wm. Brian and Judith Little Charitable Trust
Christian Relief Services S.G. Foundation Dr. Eloise M. Harman Ms. Lee Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gaylord Mr. and Mrs. C. William Schlosser Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harter, Jr. The Towbes Group, Inc.
Guyana Medical Relief Wood-Claeyssens Foundation Mr. Glenn W. Johnson, III Mr. D. F. Tuthill
Mr. Stanley Hubbard Ms. Judith Jones University of Florida
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Koepfli Mr. and Mrs. Diego Velasquez
PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL
$5,000 to $9,999
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Adams
The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation GENERAL ASSEMBLY
B & B Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Michael McCarthy $500 to $999
Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Forkosh
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Moore, Sr.
Fox Point, LTD. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Bailey Mr. Christopher M. Moore
PacifiCare Foundation
Global Partners for Development Mr. and Mrs. Hancock Banning, III Mr. and Mrs. David Morris
Mr. and Mrs. Denis Sanan
Hermandad del Senor de Los Milagros The Beagle Charitable Foundation Ms. Susanna R. Morrow
Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners of America
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Himovitz Belizean Relief Organization Nicaragua Children’s Fund
Dr. Kathryn Challoner and Mr. A. Dorian Challoner Packers, LTD
Ms. Elizabeth M. Cote Paso Robles Rotary Service, Inc.
MINISTERS OF HEALTH Mrs. Willard DeGroot Mr. and Mrs. William H. Paxton
$2,500 to $4,999 Mr. Dean Ferguson Mr. and Mrs. Stephen W. Perry
Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Nett Friends of Aravind Mrs. Jane C. Rieffel
Stephen and Denise Adams Family Foundation
Santa Barbara Bank & Trust Fundacion Justicia y Amor Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Robinson
Christian Aid Ministries
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Shattuck Mr. and Mrs. David Goldmuntz The Roney Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Derk Hunter
Westmont College Ms. Ruth Gonser Rotary Club of Atascadero
Mr. Wesley H. Kelman
Ms. Barbara Graper Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise
Mr. and Mrs. Preston Hotchkis Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise
Ms. Margot Kelly Mr. and Mrs. Michael Royce
Mrs. William Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Scheiss
Mr. Neil R. Kudler and Ms. Nancy Flam Ms. Janet E. Singer
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Jan E. Smit
Charles H. Bell (1907 - 2003) Ms. Andree Lindow St. Mark’s Church of Los Olivos
Mr. Zachary Lockman and Ms. Melinda Fine Mr. and Mrs. Harry Turner
Direct Relief International mourns the passing of Charles H. Bell. A stalwart supporter of Direct Relief, Ms. Kate G. Lopez The University of Chicago
Mr. Bell died in Santa Barbara, California, on April 12th at the age of 95. Mr. Bell was the former Mr. and Mrs. Thad MacMillan Ms. Deanne G. Violich
President and Chairman of General Mills. He retired in 1969 after 47 years with the company. Direct Dr. and Mrs. Armand Martel Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wallin
Relief was fortunate to be among the many nonprofit organizations that benefited from his support. Mr. Mr. Arthur Milligan Westwood Baptist Church
Bell was also active in conservation and the arts, and he founded Belwin, an outdoor educational Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Mogan Mr. Jeffrey P. Whittemore
laboratory in Minnesota. His family has asked that memorials be made in his name to Belwin and Ms. Jan Mc M. Montgomery World Reach, Inc.
Direct Relief. Ms. Jan N. Mooney Mrs. C. W. Youker