Early in 2008 several people associated with Ruth Group felt something had to be done to alleviate the suffering caused by the US invasion and subsequent war in Iraq — even if only for one person. Conversations and research led to an organization in Southern California founded by Cole Miller. No More Victims. Cole was invited to Marin and spoke to the group about the work already being done and the need and possibility to do more.

February 20, 2008: Founding Meeting

On February 20th, Ruth Group sponsored a talk and video presentation by Cole Miller, founder of No More Victims. NMV has been bringing Iraqi children who were injured by the US military into the USA for medical treatment. Most of these injuries are serious and Iraqi medical facilities are unable to provide the care needed.

Cole’s presentation was hard hitting and saddening as we watched children whose legs had been severed, eyes torn out, hands deformed by blasts , gunshots and fire. Cole tells the story of how each child was wounded with detail and heartbreaking clarity. The Ruth Group audience was moved to tears and outrage as we saw what we have all known for so long, that this war was a tragic mistake that took its toll on innocent people, and has created suffering that will take decades to heal.

March 4, 2008: Update and Join In!

The No More Victims project of Ruth Group to bring an Iraqi child to the US for medical treatment is off to a great start. 40 volunteers have signed up to help, and we have a working connection with the Iraq Action Group, a group of doctors at UCSF. There is an Iraqi child who may be a possibility for our first attempt,

March 8,2008: No More Victims Meeting

The biggest news of all is that as of today, as I write, Dr. Lowenstein emailed us that UCSF has ok’d use of the hospital at cost. Given that all goes well, it will be an in and out surgery. This is the news we have been holding our breath to hear, as without this we could not proceed with this hospital. Thank you to UCSF. We really want to find a way to reinforce what a big deal we know this is, and thank them for their generosity.

Back to our meeting…things happening at a nice pace as far as I am concerned. But we can’t move fast enough. We agreed on a start up three prong fundraising campaign. Our initial goal is $20,000….

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March 29, 2008: No More Victims Responds to Mustafa

Ruth Group volunteers spent last Saturday addressing and stamping letters to friends and family in an appeal to raise $20,000. for medical treatment for 2 year old Mustafa. Through the organization No More Victims, we will be sponsoring Mustafa here in the Bay Area for medical treatment. Mustafa’s hearing was completely lost when a US bomb dropped near his home in Iraq. His world is completely silent now. He has been tested by the local medical community in Syria and seems to be a perfect candidate for a cochlear implant. Following the operation he will need months of speech therapy and observation before returning home.

No More Victims, the organization responsible for making this incredible trip possible for Mustafa and his father, hope that he will be coming as soon as June or July. …

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May 2, 2008: No More Victims Campaign: News Coverage

Friday’s Marin Independent Journal gave very nice coverage to No More Victims and the work by local groups, Ruth Group and Iraq Action Group, to bring an Iraqi child to the Bay Area for medical treatment.