GASTONIA, N.C. -- A team of 12 doctors and nurses who are volunteers with Lumiere Medical Ministries in Gastonia have been trying to get to Haiti to help save some lives. Now two NASCAR teams will give them a lift.
Michael Waltrip's jet will carry the medical personnel from Charlotte Friday to Fort Pierce, Florida. There they will link-up with Mission Flights International that has been using Rick Hendrick's jet for the final leg to Haiti.
"We are really fortunate to have these guys around," said Hank Haskins, the CEO of Lumiere. Haskins has been trying to book seats on a commercial flight, but those planes have all been grounded while immediate relief efforts continue.
"It only makes sense to go help someone who is less fortunate than you are," said Dr. Andrew Dyksterhouse who practices in Belmont.
Dyksterhouse is on the list of doctors willing to put their own lives on hold to help the victims of last week's massive earthquake.
Some are already saying it is similar to practicing "Civil War" medicine since the conditions are so primitive. Amputations have been done without anesthesia because there isn't enough of a supply.
Dyksterhouse says he can only imagine working under those conditions. "I think you have to be ready to do just about anything," he said. "I am physically able to do it. Emotionally - I have no idea if I would be ready to do something like that."
