Tzu Chi Foundation Always Around to Lend a Hand with Free Medical Clinic

The Mid-Atlantic region of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is conducting an upcoming free medical consultation clinic on Sunday, Oct. 23. For the charitable organization, this is one example of its concerned, caring spirit.

The clinic will take place at Woodrow Wilson School in Edison from 1 to 4 pm, and is open to residents in Woodbridge, Metuchen, and the Edison area. Many doctors in a wide range of specialties such as cardiology, diabetes, family practice, dentistry, Chinese medicine, dermatology and pediatric medicine will be in attendance to answer medical questions. If there are medical tests a patient wants a doctor to see,  they're instructed to bring them to the health fair for a physician to review and discuss the results.

The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation was founded in the 1960s by Dharma Master Cheng Yen. Approximately 10 million volunteers and supporters in numerous countries are members of the Foundation which dedicates itself in the fields of charity, medicine, education, environmental protection, international relief work and the establishment of the world’s third largest bone marrow donor registry. The first U.S. office was established in California. Today, more than 80 offices and facilities have been created throughout the country. There are over 120,000 volunteers and donors affiliated with the Foundation.

The Taiwan Buddhist organization holds many events open to the public such as medical screenings, blood drives and fundraisers. With global headquarters in Taiwan, a national headquarters in San Dimas, California and a regional location in Cedar Grove, the Foundation is a non-profit organization with divisions in 50 countries and nearly 10 million followers.

“One of our missions is to provide relief to those in need locally, nationally and internationally," said Jackson Chen, Executive Vice President of Tzu Chi Foundation, USA in a previous  

Tzu Chi, Chen said, means compassion and relief: these are principles the Buddhist Foundation exemplifies in the multitude of charitable acts it performs on a regular basis.

"On 9/12 we were at ground zero at 9 am and [in April 2010] we were helping the flooding victims in Little Falls," Chen said. "Our volunteers from across the globe went to Japan after the earthquake and tsunami, to Haiti after the earthquake, to Louisiana after Katrina, and to California during the wild fires. All of our volunteers are extensively trained and qualified for emergencies. We work closely with the Red Cross and FEMA.”

There are almost 7,000 worshippers and supporters registered at the Cedar Grove Temple which Chen described as a “Temple of Worship in the front and main levels, with administrative offices in the back. We also have an active school and classrooms. Many of our worshippers come from across the entire state.“

TIME Magazine stated that the Tzu Chi Foundation is known for its “astonishing speed and efficiency with which it brings aid to victims of natural disasters. Wherever calamities occur, Tzu Chi volunteers and experts arrive promptly, dispensing food, medicine, blankets and warm clothing...and, in the long term, rebuilding homes, clinics and schools. Countless numbers have drawn succor from Tzu Chi's beneficence.”

The clinic is being held at the Woodrow Wislon School, 50 Woodrow Wilson Dr., in Edison. For more information, call 973-857-8666 or visit their website.