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Canvasback Missions

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Canvasback Missions

Since 1986, Canvasback Missions has been a beacon of hope across the Pacific Island Nations. Come and see the impact we are making each year.

Today, we have expanded our impact, organizing specialized surgical teams across numerous island nations. Bringing wholeness to the islands of Micronesia through healthcare and health education since 1981.

09/04/2025

In this week's Marshall Island Journal -- Canvasback Wellness Center's new cookbook is featured!!! Way to go Lauren and Rick Wiegel, co-directors. (Who unfortunately have to return to Canada very soon --- you've done an exceptional job these past 2 years!)

05/28/2025

Canvasback Wellness Center in the Marshall Islands Journal this week.....

04/04/2025

STORIES FROM THE ISLAND: the indonimable team

Indomitable - that is the word that describes our Super Orthopedic Team. This is an account of how one Indominable PA who helped to change the lives of two Indomitable Patients.

I met Bess Buchanan in 2010 on the U.S. Army Base of Kwajalein. We were privileged to be able to stay on the base while conducting our first Orthopedic Mission on the island of Ebeye. Bess worked at a Physician's Assistant at the base hospital. She and her medical colleagues were extremely skeptical of our team being able to do total knee replacements at the Ebeye Hospital. "It just couldn't be done." Since that time, she has become a good friend and has hosted many a Canvasback team dinner at her home.

So, when the chance came for Bess to join this year's mission to Majuro, she enthusiastically gave up a ski vacationwith her husband to join us. This indomitable PA is an amazing practitioner whose compassion and concern overflows for her patients. She immediately identified Mazia Bajo and Tommy Langilur as total knee replacement candidates who would have to fly from Ebeye to Majuro for surgery. Traveling to Majuro wasn't the only obstacle - in order to qualify for this surgery, we require that our patients have their diabetes under control and that they have an HA1C of less than 8. She took a personal interest in both patients to help them meet their goals.

"Mazia Bajo and Tommy Langilur have been waiting close to 20 years for the procedure. Mazia is the lead custodian on the army base which requires him to ride his bike or walk from one work site to another. All who saw him knew how painful it was for him to walk. Yet, his smile never faded, he never complained. He had to stop riding a bike 2-3 years ago because his knees no longer worked, and he could not move the pedals. For the last 2-3 years he has required a great deal of co-worker assistance to complete his job collecting the water samples around the island.
Both Mazia and Tommy worked so hard to get their blood sugar under good control. Their options are limited because in the Marshall Islands, they cannot use any of the newer diabetes medications that are available on the market and they do not have the option of a continuous glucose monitor that Americans can have. They are not available. Thus they have to do it the old fashion way, with long and short acting insulin shots. It is much more labor intensive for them to do all the finger sticks and insulin injections but I am so proud of both of them…. Getting it done! Tommy has dropped his HGBA1C 5 points in just 4 months…. A really remarkable achievement for anyone!"

These two patients beat all odds to have their knees replaced. The very next day, they were walking - and when the going got tough on the second day - they kept on smiling and powered on with indomitable determination to do the Jabwa Stick Dance once again. They actually became our Total Knee Replacement ambassadors and encouraged other patients who were experiencing pain

With a huge love of Jesus and a desire to share the gifts and talents that we are privileged to have, this amazing Orthopedic Super Team changed the lives of so many patients. They performed 28 total knee replacements and 11 other orthopedic surgeries, saw 145 patients and provided 62 clinic procedures in 1just 10 days!
“Both Mazia and Tommy support large extended families on Ebeye. Thus when you help one Marshallese worker, you in essence have helped every member of their large extended fami

03/31/2025

STORIES FROM THE ISLAND: the indomitable team, day 2.
All the checked boxes of medical supplies, equipment, instruments and personal supplies were delivered to the hotel at 1 AM this morning. We're cooking!

At staff meeting this morning our charge nurse asked us to look for a missing cruical box of surgical staples. The indomitable team immediately started planning how to purchase the item in time for the next volunteer - we only had two days to take care of this.

At the same time, one of indomitables got on the phone and called someone who immediately donated an ample supply of a product - and what he was donating was even better than surgical staples! Crisis averted!

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think - we give all praise and glory.

03/28/2025

STORIES FROM THE ISLANDS: The INDOMITABLE TEAM. Day 1.

We are finally in the Marshall Islands. After months of planning praying and preparation and two days of long airline travel we finally made it to the tiny atoll of Majuro. 21 tired and bedraggled people excited to help people who have waited for years to be able to walk again. We have one patient who has waited for 10 years.

We are excitedly waiting for our 37 bags of equipment instruments and medications to arrive. But to our dismay, an airline agent announces that all baggage has been unloaded and none of ours arrived. They will initiate tracking the bags and hopefully get them to us by tomorrow evening.

We were hoping to do 2 surgeries on Day 1. Now it looks as if we wont be able to start surgery until Day 3

The team is undeterred. As soon as we check into the hotel they head for the hospital to unpack the crates of supplies that we shipped by sea container.

And the doctors examine three of the patients scheduled for surgery.

Our Zimmer Biomet Rep unpacks his backpack. Just before he left SLC he decided to take certain instruments and equipment out of his checked luggage and put it in his carry on bag. Turns out they are just instruments needed for the surgery.

Same thing with our anesthesiologist. He decided to hand carry some of the meds instead of putting them in the check luggage.

Three not two are scheduled for Day 1

INDOMITABLE describes this team. They were indominably appointed for this mission. Can’t wait to see what God has planned for the next two weeks!

$We finally found our patient! We examined her in 2023. She had fallen and fractured her elbow but we didn’t have the ri...$

03/26/2025

We finally found our patient! We examined her in 2023. She had fallen and fractured her elbow but we didn’t have the right specialist on the team so this year we recruited Gary Wertman an upper extremity specialist. Through a FB post we located our little girl on an outer island. She had to take a boat to get here! Pray for her surgery to go well!

03/08/2025

🌍 **Volunteer Opportunity: Join a Dental Mission to the Marshall Islands!** 🦷

The Marshall Islands is an archipelago of coral atolls scattered across thousands of miles in the Pacific Ocean. Located over 7,000 miles from the U.S. southwest of Honolulu, Majuro, the capital, is a small 3.7-square-mile coral atoll.

Dental care in the Marshall Islands is limited, primarily provided through government hospitals. With only 5 dental chairs and 4 dentists in the area, the need for help is great. That's where YOU come in!

Our dental team will provide much-needed services at the Ebeye and Majuro Dental Clinic and extend our reach with portable units for school-age children in need of care. It's an opportunity to make a direct impact on a community that truly needs it. We need volunteers for the following dates and locations;

📅 **Dates & Details**:
- Location: Majuro Dental Clinic, Majuro, Marshall Islands
- Dates: JUNE 13-28, 2025
- Tasks: Dental Clinics at Majuro Hospital and surrounding communities
- Facilities: Air-conditioned clinic, portable units for outreach, We will stay at the local hotel in town.
- Costs: $3,500.00 (includes airfare, lodging and food)
Sponsorship available for assistants and hygienists

- Location: Ebeye Dental Clinic, Kwajelien, Marshall Islands
- Dates: August 17-28, 2025
- Tasks: Dental Clinics at Ebeye Hospital and surrounding communities
- Facilities: Air-conditioned clinic, portable units for outreach, We will stay at the local hotel in town.
- Costs: $3,500.00 (includes airfare, lodging and food)
Sponsorship available for assistants and hygienists

✨ **How You Can Help**:
- **Volunteer!** We are looking for dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists.
- **Sign up today!** Complete the volunteer form:(http://www.canvasback.org/volunteerforms/).

For more information, contact:
**Dawn Williams, Director of Volunteer Efforts**
📞 (707) 746-7928

Make a difference in the lives of children and families in the Marshall Islands. Join us on this impactful mission! 🙌💙

02/27/2025

You might be wondering what the answer is to our recent poll question "According to recent studies for 2024. What has the global diabetes numbers now reached?" Well, sadly the answer is over 800 million people worldwide now have diabetes. Many countries are working hard to reverse this disease. Follow us as we help out in this fight.

01/26/2025

In 2023, the Canvasback Orthopedic team assessed 24 patients requiring orthopedic surgery. Dr. Tacuyan's ongoing screening efforts resulted in an expanded patient list of 74. Canvasback Missions Executive Vice President and co-founder Jacque Spence promptly coordinated another orthopedic mission. In collaboration with lead orthopedic surgeon Derek Johnson, a skilled team was assembled to focus on total knee replacement and upper extremity issues. The team was pleased to discover that the hospital is equipped with a functional c-arm, which will improve their services. The team will consist of 21 members. Patients seeking orthopedic consultations should contact Dr. Tacuyan to schedule an appointment. Moreover, Hilary Johnson, founder of the Kauai Ballet Academy, will join the mission, offering ballet lessons for children aged 3-18. Lessons will be held after school at the LDS Church in Delap, culminating in a performance of Cinderella. For further information, please scan the QR code on this flyer.

12/26/2024

May your Christmas be filled with joy and your new year with hope. May you and your family be blessed abundantly and may we all eagerly anticipate the exciting experiences that lie ahead.

08/05/2024

🎥🌴 Ready for a sneak peek into our epic journey on Majuro? This year’s women’s health mission was filled with jaw-dropping moments and island vibes! 🌺👩‍⚕️ From stunning sights to incredible experiences, our short video log captures it all. Dive in and see the magic of the islands through our eyes! 🌟🏝️

08/02/2024

Here's a great opportunity to join us on a Portland river boat cruise--at a greatly reduced price. Registration is now open for this Sunday September 15 event. https://canvasback.org/boat-cruise-2024/

Address

940 Adams Street , Suite R
Benicia, CA
94510

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17077467828

Website

http://canvasback.org/

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