Our Mission

The Gesundheit! Institute is a project in holistic medical care based on the belief that one cannot separate the health of the individual from the health of the family, the community, the world, and the health care system itself.

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About Patch Adams

Patch Adams is best known for his work as a medical doctor and a clown, and he is also a social activist who has devoted 30 years to changing America's health care system. He believes that laughter, joy and creativity are an integral part of the healing process.

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About Gesundheit!

clowns

The institute began as a group of twenty friends, including three doctors, who moved into a six-bedroom home and called it a free hospital. The hospital was open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for all manner of medical problems from birth to death.

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The Belén Project

Dear clowns, secret carers and other oddballs!

Our Belén Project—one of the most elaborate efforts of Gesundheit Global Outreach to join clowning, fun, joy & creativity with community problem assessment & self-help—has a special request.

In previous trips when we worked with residents of the struggling town of Belén, Peru, to spruce up their houses, we relied on donations of materials from paint corporations to help us toward the goal of painting all 1500 homes (so far we have painted almost 400).

HOWEVER, this year our donors cannot provide us with paint, and we now are implementing a GRASSROOTS funding strategy to purchase 200 gallons of water-based latex paint. One gallon covers a house (they are small houses, each with 8-10 people), so your donation of $25 covers an entire home in beautiful, bright colors!

To contribute, pay here online or mail a check payable to: Gesundheit! Institute P.O. Box 50104, Arlington, VA 22205 USA. Gesundheit is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.

Contribution Amount *	$ 15.00 door $ 25.00 house front $ 60.00 small 1-story house $ 100.00 2-story house $ 200.00 short alley, one side $ 500.00 short block Other Amount
Other Amount	$
Email Address *

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Email me info about:	General Gesundheit News

Read more about the Belén Project and watch a 10 minute documentary about our project—"Art: a Bridge to Health, Belen".

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Ways You Can Help

The Patch Adams Teaching Center & Clinic
Get involved with the campaign!

Global Outreach Programs
Join us for a clown trip! In the next few months, we are offering trips to Costa Rica and Russia

Education Projects
Volunteer for an educational program or donate a scholarship.

Clowns on the Bus hospital fun-raiser now available at www.PatchForPeace.com

Clowns for Peace is a group that uses clowning as a medium to communicate peace, kindness and compassion through laughter, smiles and hugs! Join the group!

Campaign Status

We're Building!

This summer we're starting the construction of our 25,000 square foot, 3-story Teaching Center. WE'RE EXCITED!

Our target is to complete excavation, foundation, water, sewage,electricity, walls, floors, and roof before the end of the year.

About the Campaign

Thank you: in the past three years (2007-2010) your contributions enabled us to get to this point.

Donations have supported the completion of drawings, the diversion of the stream, construction of a new bridge—the necessary preliminary work to now BREAK GROUND!

In October of 2007, Patch Adams and the Gesundheit Board unveiled its campaign to build a Teaching Center and Clinic on its land in West Virginia. The Center and Clinic will enable Gesundheit to see patients again and teach health care system design: the necessary work to change our health care system. Please continue to support us. When you give to Gesundheit, expect change back! Donate now.