Letter from
Dr. Steve Bensen

I am reaching out to everyone on behalf of the GI Rising Board to ask for your collective support in this year’s fund-raising efforts. 

 

As you know, our work in Rwanda has grown over the past several years. Our fellowship program which began in 2022 had its first four graduates in 2024, an incredible milestone.  In the 8th annual Rwandan Endoscopy Week (REW), we performed over 1,158 endoscopies at 7 different sites.  This year’s trip in October, 2026, will be even bigger with more sites and a larger team than ever expected to go. 

 

With this growth there is more need and expense on our end.  GI Rising predominately spends its limited resources on Scope maintenance and repairs, supporting the charity digestive clinic in providing care to the poorest Rwandan patients as well as providing support for academic expenses for Rwandan trainees, study IRB fees, academic conferences and research.

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Traditionally our fund-raising efforts have depended upon a few key individuals that have raised the money to cover out budget.  This year with our growth we will need to double our budget to reach out goals.  The GI Rising board has set a fund-raising goal of $50,000 for this year’s REW 9 trip and we hope to raise that by the end of September.  We are asking you to reach out to your network of friends and colleagues for contributions.  I have found over the years when folks hear of our work they often want to contribute in some way, well they can.  There are several ways to contribute. You can contribute directly on the GI Rising webpage www.gi-rising.org or send a check made out to GI Rising Inc mail directly to me at the address listed above.

 

Thanks for your support.

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Steve Bensen for the GI Rising Board of Directors

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