Wishard paramedic team headed to Haiti

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A husband and wife paramedic team from Wishard Hospital is planning to head to Haiti.

Mike Thralls and his wife are putting together a team of 8-10 first responders to help with recovery efforts and provide medical care.

Thralls has visited Haiti more than eight times in the past 4 years.

The recent devastation from the earthquake bothers him deeply.

Not only do the Thralls want to help with the recovery, but they also have personal reasons.

The couple learned Thursday night a 12-year-old Haitian they look at like a son is safe.

The Thralls hosted Mikenson D’Haiti on two occasions when he came to Indianapolis for medical surgeries.

Mikenson and his family live on the Haitian coast more than 40 miles northwest of Port Au Prince.

Thralls concern right now is just getting his team together and finding a flight to Haiti.

“The situation changes from moment to moment whether you can go or not. We're just trying to deal with those one at a time,” said Thralls.

The plan is to leave as soon as possible. In the meantime, church members at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church on N. Girls School Road are collecting medical supplies to send with Thralls. The collections will take place from 4.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday. Canned foods, water, and cash will also be accepted.

Thralls also suggested three organizations people can donate money to if they would like to help the earthquake victims. Those organizations are The Red Cross , The Salvation Army , and MissionHaitiMidwest.ORG .

The address for Chapel Hill United Methodist Church is 963 N. Girls School Road.