Fortunately we have reaped the rewards of having a staff and ambulance in Akumal full time. Unfortunately it may come to an end. The Akumal ambulance needs our help now!
Recently the state Delegado for Cruz Roja Carlos Constandse Madrazo, Oscar Carreno, President of Cruz Roja Tulum, and Veronica Madrid Perez, head administrator for Tulum Delegación met with local business owners, neighborhood association officers, and hotel association officials to report on the state of Cruz Roja Tulum.
Although Akumal Comedy Festival raised a record $315,000mx earlier this year, the Tulum Red Cross is still operating in the red and in desperate need of funding. The first thing to be cut will be the most recent project, the Akumal Ambulance. Then full time local paramedics will be let go and sent back to Tulum in a back-up status.
Puerto Morelos, which has a similar ambulance and staff, is operating successfully in the black. Monthly tax deductible donations of $6,000mx each from 10 large local businesses keep things running successfully. Donation support from the local community helps as well.
A solution must be found. It’s crucial for ourselves, our loved ones, and our guests to have immediate medical care available here in town. Unfortunately, the government does not support the ambulance system so it is up to residents to make it work. The government hospitals do not even have ambulance service, so you can imagine the importance for us to hang on to what we have.
A fundraiser is being sponsored by Turtle Bay Bakery on 24 October. It will present a limited 3 course set menu including 2 Cueva Cocktails(more details to follow).
Although a few local establishments support the program on a regular basis with lodging and food for the paramedics, it is not enough. Support from a few cannot carry the whole load. A community effort must be in place to solve this serious problem.
We take for granted that our ambulance will always be here, but now is the time to realize it could be gone!! How can we not ensure that our medical emergencies are tended to immediately – this is a PRIORITY!
If you would like to donate directly to the Red Cross or make a recurring monthly contribution you can do so through the button way below.
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