A group of North Texas doctors will be leaving Saturday to help the relief efforts in Haiti.
The group of 24 put together their trip in a matter of hours.
"We have orthopedic surgeons, general surgeons, some trauma people and all the necessary personnel support that goes with those," said Dr. Richard Toussaint, of Forest Park Medical Center.
Toussaint started making calls Thursday after the Knights of Malta, a Catholic charity, contacted him. The organization said its hospital in Haiti had survived Tuesday's massive earthquake but was overwhelmed with patients.
A few hours later, he had an entire staff, tons of supplies -- and a way to get onto the island.
"We've arranged to go to an alternative airport in Cap-Haitien, which is in the northern part of the country that's been spared," Toussaint said.
So many planes were arriving at Haiti's main airport that civilian flights from the United States were briefly halted Thursday.
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The doctors said they're ready to go.
"Well, I was very excited about going and helping after seeing all the pictures on the TV of all the people needing our help," said Dr. Michel Stephan.
The scenes on television have been heartbreaking, he said.
"I just looked at all these people that need help; I was talking to my wife last night, and I told her I wish I could," Stephan said.
