Hope in the Balance by Andrew Furey

How the caring spirit of Newfoundland was exported to a world in crisis.

Dr. Andrew Furey, an orthopedic surgeon, was sitting by a large fireplace at home in St John’s, watching an even larger flat-screen TV, when dreadful images of the aftermath of an earthquake in Haiti burst in on the cosy domestic scene. Human suffering on an epic scale was being documented in real time. Dr. Furey spent a sleepless night, and woke knowing he had to help in some way. In what has been a theme throughout Newfoundland and Labrador’s history, he found himself answering the call for help.

Dr. Furey formed a team of three—himself; his wife and pediatric emergency room physician, Dr. Allison Furey; and orthopedic surgeon Will Moores—and together they travelled from to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where they spent a week volunteering. The challenge seemed overhelming: a multitude of badly injured victims, horrendous working conditions and the official agencies who left much to be desired in terms of organization. But somehow the trio did not lose hope. Instead, they redoubled their efforts.

After returning from that first mission, Dr. Furey founded Team Broken Earth—an expert, unbureaucratic, fleet-footed volunteer task force of physicians, nurses and physiotherapists committed to providing aid in Haiti. The organization has continued to grow, recruiting volunteers from all over Canada. It has carried out many more missions to Port-au-Prince and has expanded its operations to other countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Guatemala and Nicaragua. And its mission has expanded in other ways, with education and training for local medical professionals now at the heart of its endeavour.

Dr. Andrew Furey tells the story of Team Broken Earth’s founding and remarkable work with vivid immediacy and raw honesty. He shares his doubts and failures and moments of near-despair. He explores how his Newfoundland upbringing has informed his efforts abroad. And he reaches an optimistic conclusion that will leave readers inspired to bring about positive change in their own lives.

Story Locale: St. John’s, Newfoundland; Port-au-Prince, Haiti

DR. ANDREW FUREY, orthopaedic trauma surgeon, was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dr. Furey’s dedication to medicine and philanthropy, which he attributes to the examples of his parents and siblings, led him to spearhead the non-profit organization Team Broken Earth in 2010, following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January of that year. Dr. Furey organized a task force of Canadian physicians, nurses and physiotherapists to travel to the affected areas and offer medical support and training. Since that time, Team Broken Earth has grown to include teams all across the country. Dr. Furey finds time to remain active in the local St. John’s community, attending and organizing charity events. He also does work with the Liberal Party of Canada, teaches at Memorial University and raises three children with his wife, Allison.

Author Residence: St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador

Author Hometown: St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador