How SARA Began

With One Child and One Doctor

A number of years ago Rev. Stephen Szilagyi was visiting in Hungary and saw a small child who needed surgery to correct scoliosis, curvature of the spine. The procedure was not available in Hungary but was done regularly in the U.S.

Rev. Szilagyi collected enough money to bring this young boy to the United States to receive the surgery he needed to straighten his back. But other children needed this operation, too.

Rev. Szilagyi realized that what was really needed was doctors trained in the U.S. to go back to Hungary to perform many operations. So he arranged for one physician to come the U.S. to be trained and for the equipment the surgeon would need to be sent to his hospital in Hungary. This was the way SARA began. Helping one child and one physician.

Today, the procedure to correct scoliosis is being done regularly in Hungary, and hundreds of children stand straight and tall because of it.

Photo Album: SARA Ukrainian Orthopedic Surgery Program 2008 »

Since that beginning, more than $18 million of medical equipment and supplies have been sent to more than 10 countries.

During the past few years, dozens of physicians have received additional training in the United States through SARA.