Donations Needed for Free Medical Clinic at State Fairgrounds

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The first of many Remote Area Medical supply trucks arrived at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Tuesday afternoon. The free clinic will provide dental, vision and medical care for adults and children.

"There's a lot of work in it, it's not just something to think about and do tomorrow. It takes a long while to put it together," said Ron Brewer, Remote Area Medical Director.

The first ever Oklahoma City RAM clinic has taken a year to plan. Medical and dental professionals from all over the state are volunteering their services.

"The need is great. We all have a passion about helping other people and we all feel like we need to give something back," said Dr. Al Moorad, RAM volunteer.

Just like in other cities, thousands of Oklahomans are expected to line up for the free care. The call for volunteer medical professionals was filled, now RAM coordinators say monetary donations are needed for lab tests and other clinic expenses.

"We have a laboratory service contract and have some insurance and electric bills and things like that where if folks want to donate $5 or $10 something like that, they can certainly make that out to RAM Oklahoma and it would help provide some of our costs on the back end," said Tres Savage, RAM Oklahoma President.

Because so many people are expected at RAM, coordinators suggest showing up around midnight or 1 a.m. Friday morning to get in line.

Doors open to the clinic at the Travel and Transportation Building at the fairgrounds July 9 – July 11.

To make a monetary donation visit the Remote Area Medical Oklahoma Web site.