"We are so grateful for the benevolence of these doctors and their willingness to give their time and resources to help a child who might not otherwise have access to proper healthcare," said Tiffany Taylor, marketing director for BOCI and Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls. "Their selflessness will significantly impact the physical and social development of a child in need."

Dr. David Stager Sr., a partner at Pediatric Ophthalmology, P.A., and The Center for Adult Strabismus, will perform the 30-minute procedure Saturday, June 4 at Healthsouth in Dallas at 7:30 a.m. Stager said surgeon's fees for such a procedure average around $1,500, while the anesthesiologist usually charges between $500 and $700. Healthsouth is contributing to the cause by reducing its facility charges from $3,700 to $300.

"So much of what we communicate with is our eyes," Stager explained. "Being unable to maintain good eye contact gets to be a major handicap and social problem in children with strabismus as they grow up."

In financially strapped Russian orphanages, he continued, "children need care and either have not had care, or have had inadequate care."

Stager, who has practiced ophthalmology in Dallas for 35 years, donated a similar procedure to an orphan girl with last year's Angels from Abroad contingent. His partner, Dr. Priscilla Berry, also offered her services.

"I admire so much what [Buckner] does for these children," said Stager, adding that he has an adopted daughter, now 39. "I just felt that whatever little bit I could do to help would be very much worthwhile."

Launched last year, Buckner Angels from Abroad raises awareness about the preponderance of older children living in Russian orphanages and BOCI's programs to improve their lives. The thirteen orphans, who range from 8 to 13 years old, will reside locally with volunteer host families from the Christian community.

For more information about Buckner Orphan Care International and Angels from Abroad, visit www.helporphans.org .

Source: Buckner Baptist Benevolences

CONTACT: Tiffany Taylor, Marketing Director of Buckner Orphan Care
International, +1-877-7ORPHAN, or +1-469-877-4493

Web site: http://www.buckner.org/
http://www.helporphans.org/