ReSurge International Celebrates 41 Years

On November 6, 2010 hundreds of supporters, donors and volunteers gathered at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco to celebrate ReSurge International’s fourty-one years.

ReSurge International, formerly known as Interplast, provides free reconstructive plastic surgery for the poor in developing countries. ReSurge International treats children and adults with clefts, disabling burns and hand injuries. The first organization of its kind, ReSurge International’s focuses on training and empowering developing world doctors to perform surgeries on their own for generations to come.

“The gala represents a unique opportunity to bring the ReSurge International community together to celebrate more than 40 years of patient care made possible by our donors, volunteers and partners around the world,” says Nicole Friedland, ReSurge International’s chief development officer. The gala evening included a reception, dinner, award ceremony and live auction. The event raised an estimated $900,000 for the organization’s transformative surgeries, medical education and empowerment programs in Latin American, Africa and Asia.

At the gala, Russell Hirsch and his family were honored with the William C. Lazier Leadership Award. Hirsch served on the ReSurge International board for nine years and recruited a visionary group of industry leaders to ensure ReSurge International’s ability to reach more patients.  Russell and his wife Sara are exemplary humanitarians who commit their personal resources, intellect and time to improving the lives of those living in poverty.

To view photos from the Prada ReSurge International “Transformations” Gala, visit the Haute Living Photo Gallery.

For more information on ReSurge International as well as volunteer and donation information, visit www.resurge.org.