For Robert Bustard, a longtime member of the Park Ridge Rotary Club, and his wife, Rosemary, giving back comes naturally. As a key supporter of the club’s involvement in the Gift of Life of District 7490 program, Bustard has witnessed firsthand how compassion and community can transform lives—literally.
“I got involved in Rotary back in 2004 because I wanted to make a difference,” he explains. “When I learned about the Gift of Life program, it immediately struck a chord with me. It’s incredible to see how many lives it changes.”
The Gift of Life of District 7490 was established in 1986 by then District Governor Art Scialla as the defining program of his year. Its mission is to provide life-saving heart surgeries to children born with congenital heart defects from emerging countries where such care is either unavailable or unaffordable. Families pay only for their flights to the U.S., while Rotary members coordinate with hospitals for discounted procedures and offer host families for the children and their guardians during their stay. The very first GOL child, Julissa Martinez from the Dominican Republic, was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Park Ridge.
Changing Lives, One Heart at a Time
Bustard shares a touching story about Vhine, a young mother from the Philippines, who was too weak to walk 100 feet without gasping for air. “When Vhine and her mother arrived, they were scared and overwhelmed,” he recalls. “But over time, she became like a second daughter to us. I’ll never forget the Father’s Day card she gave me before her surgery, just in case she didn’t survive. It was deeply moving.”
Fortunately, Vhine's surgery was successful, and her life changed dramatically. “She went from barely functioning to living a full life. Moments like these remind us why we do this work.”
Since its inception, the Gift of Life program has supported more than 2,000 surgeries through partnerships with hospitals and Rotarians. Patients have come from nations as diverse as the Philippines, Ukraine, Central and South America.
A Community Effort
The program thrives on dedicated volunteers who host patients and their families, drive them to medical appointments, and integrate them into the local community.
“These families are so appreciative,” Bustard notes. “They often come from incredibly modest means. One family even refused to use our washing machine and hung their clothes to dry outside because they didn’t want to waste electricity.”
While hosting a patient might seem daunting, Bustard emphasizes the joy it brings. “You don’t have to be a host to make a difference. Even giving rides or taking a child to a local basketball game can have a huge impact.”
Expanding Global Impact
The Gift of Life program also scales its efforts by organizing medical missions abroad. Surgeons and nurses travel to countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Bolivia, Kosovo, Peru, and Myanmar to perform surgeries, allowing the program to save more lives at a lower cost.
“While it’s cheaper to operate abroad, hosting patients here offers a personal connection that’s irreplaceable,” Bustard reflects. “It’s eye-opening for them to experience such generosity, and it’s equally rewarding for us.”
How to Get Involved
As the program grows, so does the need for volunteers and funds. Bustard encourages anyone interested to attend a Rotary meeting and learn more.
“There’s no greater reward than knowing you’ve changed a life,” he shares. “The more you give, the more you get back.”
Reflecting on the program’s mission, Bustard shares a poignant quote from Vhine that deeply resonates with him: “If you want to be happy for an afternoon, take a nap. If you want to be happy for a day, go fishing. If you want to be happy for a year, inherit a fortune. But if you want to be happy for a lifetime, help someone.”
For more information about the Gift of Life of District 7490 program or to get involved, contact GOL Foundation Chair Giacomo DeStefano at grdestefano@gmail.com or visit the Park Ridge Rotary Club’s website at portal.clubrunner.ca/2088.
“There’s no greater reward than knowing you’ve changed a life.” - Robert Bustard