There may not be a direct flight from Motown to Nepal, but there’s a strong connection. Thanks to the work of Richard Keidan, M.D.
Dr. Richard Keidan first travelled to Nepal on vacation, and he became enamored with the people and the county. He observed that the Khotang District was cut off from roads and communication, without power, without waste management (toilets) and without clean drinking water and with very limited access to health care and educational opportunities.
After seeing the significant needs in this region and the amazing determination of the people, he founded the D2N: Detroit2Nepal Foundation. Its mission is to improve public health, health care, and educational opportunities for children in this remote Himalayan district. The Foundation works directly with people in the village and the projects are initiated by the Nepalese.
According to Dr. Keidan, “This approach creates jobs for community members and also allows them to learn how to manage these projects.”
On Sunday, August 25 at the Birmingham Bike Festival, there will be a parade at 1 p.m. to raise funds for D2N and the Miracle Fund at Beaumont Children’s Hospital. Dr. Charles Main, Beaumont’s Chief of Pediatric Oncology will serve as the Grand Marshal. Dr. Main will be retiring after a 50-year medical career. The parade will also honor Alexandra Graham, a 16-year-old who lost her fight with bone cancer. The parade is titled Miles4Alex.
To donate funds, please visit the D2N website and to register for the parade go to www.crowdrise.com/miles4alex
Tags: Alexandra Graham, Beaumont Children's Hospital, bike parade, Birmingham Bike Festival, Detroit, Dr. Charles Main, Dr. Richard Keidan, Nepal, oncology, philanthropy
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