Achi news desk-
A former Calgary doctor is getting well-deserved international recognition.
Retired surgeon Dr. Walley Temple leads a team that overcomes obstacles to save many lives.
Temple is part of a Rotary Club medical mission that is making a big difference in Guatemala.
The medical team run mobile clinics providing remote mountain areas with screening and treatment for cervical cancer.
“With very few supplies, you go into the remote jungle in Guatemala, which has one of the highest incidences of cervical cancer in the world,” Temple said. “It’s a terrible disease.”
It often takes considerable effort for people in the area to access the services.
“One of the worst cases was a woman with hip arthritis coming in for a consultation,” says Temple. “She walked three days from her mountain village to our mobile clinic.”
Temple shared stories and photos from the Guatemala project with fellow Calgary Rotarians Barb Young and Dr. Israel Belenkie.
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“(We used) simple tools, a little vinegar, a swab — put vinegar on the cervix, and if it turns white, that’s the cancerous tissue,” Temple said. “All you have to do is put a heated probe on the cervix that kills the cancer cells.”
Temple’s volunteer work in Guatemala has earned him a major award from the Rotary Club.
“Having recognition for our project was thrilling,” said Temple. “The credit is shared equally with so many people.”
The award will be presented to Temple when he travels to Singapore in May to attend the Rotary Club’s 2024 international convention.
“Out of 1.4 million people worldwide in Rotary, you are one of six people being recognized this year,” Young told Temple.
“It’s fantastic – we’re so proud of what you’ve done and how many people in the world you’ve helped.”
Belenkie, a retired cardiologist, has also helped many people through Rotary medical projects in places like the Philippines and Nicaragua.
Belenkie knows how much effort and dedication is involved in the Temple project in Guatemala.
“(Temple) is a great leader,” Belenkie said.
Temple plans to go back to Guatemala later this year to continue the project, which includes training Guatemalan health care workers to continue providing cancer screening and treatment.
“To think that we are preventing so much cancer is very exciting,” Temple said.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
