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About Us
The non-profit, non-partisan Global Medical Relief Fund “Federal Tax ID: 13-3987722” aids children who are missing or have lost the use of limbs or eyes, or have been severely burned, or have been injured due to war, natural disaster or illness.
The Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF) was originally created in 1997 by one person working out of a small apartment on Staten Island, New York. Since then, we at GMRF, along with partners-in-effort, doctors, nurses, hospitals and community volunteers, have worked for 20 years helping more than 375 hopeless children, many of them amputees and burn victims, or victims of war, violent acts or natural disasters, who have little or no medical resources.
We continue to provide children from America and countries worldwide, with vital medical care and on-going treatment so that they can eventually heal and return home to grow up and become thriving members of their own cities, towns, communities, and countries.
What higher mission is there than aiding innocent, victimized children? Read more about our founder
Meet our Founder - Elissa Montanti
A child’s plea for help asking “God and all merciful people to help me getting prosthetics”, forever changed Elissa Montanti's life.
In 1997, Elissa reached out to the then UN Ambassador from Bosnia, with an offer to send school supplies and toys to the child victims of the war in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Ambassador responded by reading her a young boy’s letter. The Bosnian child, Kenan Malkic, had lost both arms and one leg when he had stepped on a land mine. Elissa quickly comprehended the far more urgent needs of the children in war-torn Bosnia. She immediately recruited airlines, hospitals, physicians and prosthetic companies to donate their services. Shortly after Kenan and his mother arrived at JFK Airport. During their four months stay with Elissa, and through Elissa’s tireless actions, Kenan received two new arms, a new leg, and a new life.
Soon after, out of the walk-in closet of her one-bedroom home, Elissa founded the non-profit, non-partisan Global Medical Relief. Since its founding in 1997, Elissa and GMRF have helped over 375 children from over 50 countries. The injured children come from regions that offer only minimal medical care, poorly fitted prostheses, or none at all.
Ms. Montanti lives in Staten Island, New York. Her passions include music, painting and poetry. Her poetry has won recognition from the American Poetry Society.
Read the inspiring book that tells Elissa’s personal story of her founding of the Global Medical Relief Fund.
I'll Stand By You: One Woman's Mission to Heal the Children of the World
Book is available for sale through these retailers:
Honors / Notable Mentions:
Elissa, dubbed "the Saint of Staten Island” by People Magazine was recognized as a CNN Hero in 2018. Her numerous awards include the Amnesty International “Modern Day Saints” award, the “Heart of a Woman” award from Dr. Phil and his wife, Robin, Wagner College De Vinci award New York State Women of Distinction and Staten Island Advance’s 2012 Woman of Achievement award. She has an Honoree Doctrine degree from Muhlenberg College, the President’s Medal from St. John University and was voted one of the 12 most Inspiring Person of the Year by beliefnet.com in 2006.
Passionate People
The Global Medical Relief Fund board is made up of passionate men and women whose experience and commitment helps us make our mission possible.
Directors
- Elissa Montanti – Founder and Director
- Donna Jungreis – Chairperson of the Board
- Stanley Martin – Treasurer
- Natalie Mines – Secretary
- Maria Curran, Esq.
- Kenan Malkic
- Francesco Rulli
Advisory Board
- Andrew Alfano
- Arthur Buonaspina, MD
- Mamise Costa
- Marcy D'Agostine
- Christina Frank
- Michael Gastaldi, DDS
- Larry Heimlich
- David Hoffman, DDS
- Daniel Kennedy
- Rita Kornfeld, R. N.
- Jacqueline Rehak
- Borivoje Vukadinovic
GMRF Allies in Care
Businesses and organizations that have graced The Global Medical Relief Fund with their unwavering support, enabling us to grow in our dedicated mission.
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Richmond County Savings Foundation
