Doctors treated life-threatening conditions, provided specialized care, and delivered critical training to local healthcare providers.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, 24 Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) volunteer doctors from the United States returned from a week-long medical mission to northwest Syria, where they provided life-saving medical care and specialized training to local healthcare providers. From September 15-20, 2024, the volunteer physicians conducted a wide range of medical interventions, including complex cardiac procedures, oncological and retina surgeries, pediatrics subspecialty clinics and intensive care consultations, impacting thousands of lives in a region devastated by conflict and last year’s disastrous earthquake.

SAMS Member and group leader of the mission, Dr. Bassel Atassi, an oncologist of Chicago, who completed the week-long mission in northwest Syria, shared, “During our mission, we carried out 277 surgeries and provided 1,367 consultations. Our focus was not only on treating patients but also on training local doctors in pathology, cardiology, and oncology and other essential practices to help them treat and local refugees. The knowledge transfer was crucial in ensuring that the impact of our work extends far beyond our time on the ground”

“This mission represents the unwavering commitment of our volunteers to provide life-saving care in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable,” said SAMS’ President Dr. Mufaddal Hamadeh. “We are proud of the medical impact made and the meaningful training and collaboration with local healthcare providers that will continue to benefit the region long after our departure. The resilience and courage of the people we serve inspire us to continue our vital work in Syria and beyond.”

The mission included a diverse array of medical services and training initiatives aimed at bolstering local healthcare capacity. Highlights included:

Pediatric and Adult Cardiology: Conducting echocardiograms, pacemaker implants, and catheter-based interventions for pediatric patients and performing adult cardiac surgeries, including coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgeries.Oncology: Performing major surgeries in urological, gastrointestinal, and gynecological oncology while providing oncological consultations and training at SAMS-supported oncology centers.Specialized Consultations and Procedures: Retinal specialists performed vitrectomies and laser procedures, while intensive care specialists led ICU rounds and critical care consultations.Training and Education: The mission delivered hands-on training, crash courses, and a 2-day Pediatric Scientific Conference, focusing on pediatric specialties, benefiting over 200 general pediatricians in northwest Syria.

Syrians and refugees are still recovering from the earthquake that struck the border area in February 2023, but life is improving thanks to the work of SAMS and its countless volunteers and 2,400 staff in the region—nearly half of whom were displaced by the disaster.

For more information, contact:
Blaine Heck / 201-314-9506 / 383715@email4pr.com

About SAMS:
SAMS is a nonprofit, non-political organization that works on the front lines of crisis relief, providing medical and humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable in Syria, its neighboring countries, and beyond. Last year, SAMS provided lifesaving medical services to 3.6 million people. For more information about SAMS, go to www.sams-usa.net.

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SOURCE Syrian American Medical Society

Funding will accelerate Pyka’s growth and further scale production of its autonomous aircraft for agriculture, defense, and commercial logistics.

ALAMEDA, Calif., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Pyka, an electric aviation technology leader that designs and manufactures large-scale autonomous electric aircraft, today announced a $40M Series B raise. The funding round was led by Obvious Ventures, with participation from both new and existing investors, including Piva Capital, Prelude Ventures, Metaplanet Holdings, and Y Combinator.

Pyka is rapidly commercializing autonomous electric aircraft by applying its technology to many of the world’s most critical flight missions, including agricultural crop protection, commercial cargo transportation, and defense logistics.

“This accomplishment is a significant milestone for Pyka,” said Michael Norcia, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Pyka. “We are designing, developing, and commercializing autonomous electric aircraft at a pace that few companies have been able to achieve. With commercial production well underway, and our aircraft deployed with customers on multiple continents, we are extremely proud of the progress we’ve made as a company thus far. This round of funding brings us one step closer to unlocking autonomous electric flight for society.”

The company currently produces the largest commercially-approved uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) in the United States and maintains active commercial operations across the U.S., Central America, and Brazil. Pyka’s portfolio of customers includes key players in the agriculture, commercial cargo, and defense logistics value chains, such as Dole, Embraer, Sierra Nevada Company, Heinen Brothers Agra Services, and Skyports Drone Services. In early 2024, Pyka delivered three aircraft to the United States Air Force as part of the Agility Prime program.

The new investment will accelerate Pyka’s growth across its dual-use product line. On the commercial side, it will support further investment in Pyka’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, boost production of its Pelican Spray and Pelican Cargo products, and enable expanded operations with both U.S. and international customers. Additionally, the Series B funds will advance the development of new capabilities to support contested logistics operations for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied partners.

“From the beginning, Pyka was focused on getting into the air and getting into business with commercial operations. Their cost-effective mindset and discipline caught our attention,” said Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures. “And what got us really excited was the passion of the team and their mission-driven focus on electrifying aviation and decarbonizing one of the worst offenders in the world.”

Pyka’s family of products includes Pelican Spray, a 1,320-lb, fully autonomous, and 100% electric aircraft designed for complex agricultural operations. The aircraft combines best-in-class spray precision and chemical drift reduction technologies to provide safe, clean, and cost-effective crop protection at scale. Pelican Spray is the largest FAA-approved UAS for agricultural operations and the most productive spray UAS on the Market.

Additionally, Pyka produces Pelican Cargo, the world’s first large-scale autonomous electric cargo aircraft capable of heavy-payload, long-range, and off-airport operation. The 100% electric aircraft can transport up to 400 lbs over a range of 200 miles. Pyka has partnered with Sierra Nevada Company to introduce RUMRUNNER, a modified edition of Pelican Cargo, to customers within the U.S. Department of Defense for sustainment in contested logistics operations.

All of Pyka’s products incorporate its proprietary autonomous flight engine and all-electric propulsion system to enable operations in the world’s most complex environments without putting human operators in harm’s way, at unprecedented cost savings to customers.

About Pyka:

Pyka is defining the future of safe, environmentally-friendly, and cost-effective aviation with autonomous electric airplanes for crop protection and cargo delivery. Pyka’s proprietary technology includes autonomous flight control software, flight computers, high energy density batteries, advanced electric propulsion systems, and carbon composite airframes. Learn more at www.flypyka.com.

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SOURCE Pyka

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ — Plume completed its fourth annual #PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge (#PSCC24) – a 5-stage 824 km route from Zurich, Switzerland to Venice, Italy that took place from September 2-6, 2024. The #PSCC is a fundraiser to benefit #PlumeStrong, Plume’s social impact initiative with a mission to empower communities worldwide through meaningful initiatives that promote health, education, equality, efficiency, sustainability, technological innovation, and security. #PlumeStrong envisions a world where more individuals, particularly children, have access to education, resources, and opportunities.

During the five-day ride through the iconic mountain passes of Switzerland and Italy, Plume employees and corporate partners were joined by #PlumeStrong Ambassadors Tadej Pogačar, a three-time Tour de France winner, Urška Žigart, a Slovenian professional racing cyclist, currently riding for the Liv AlUla Jayco WorldTeam, Scott Ogden, English Grand Prix motorcycle racer currently competing in the 2024 Moto3 World Championship for MLav Racing, and Marko Baloh, Guinness & WUCA World Record Holder and elite ultra-cyclist and coach. 

Together, #PSCC24 and its supporters raised over €610,000 surpassing the initiative’s original target of €550,000. Recently, #PlumeStrong and its charity partner Street Child announced that the money raised during the #PSCC24 will be used to benefit Street Child’s work in Sierra Leone. The initial goal was to develop 15 rural secondary schools, providing quality education to over 1,500 children annually, teacher training, and the establishment of a community agriculture project to help sustain the school. Due to the excess funds already raised, #PlumeStrong and Street Child are now expanding the project to develop an additional 5 schools bringing the total number to 20.

Fahri Diner

“I am so proud of what the #PlumeStrong team achieved, said Fahri Diner, Founder and CEO of Plume. “We set a goal for this year’s ride and once again exceeded it. The #PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge 2024 (#PSCC24) was indeed a serious ‘challenge’ and not just a social ride – everyone who participated should feel an incredible sense of accomplishment. And more importantly, it was a successful fundraiser to help Street Child to provide additional educational opportunities for children. As is cycling, this was a beautifully orchestrated team effort, and we are so grateful for the commitment of our people, sponsors, partners, support teams and everyone who donated to the #PSCC24. On behalf of all of us at Plume, a big THANK YOU to all.”

Lucinda Dannatt

“We are thrilled by the success of the #PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge 2024, which has exceeded the initial fundraising goal, said Lucinda Dannatt, Director, Policy & Development and Co-Founder at Street Child. “Thanks to the incredible dedication of #PlumeStrong and its supporters, Street Child can now develop an additional 5 secondary schools, bringing the total to 20 schools and ensuring that at least 2,000 children in Sierra Leone will have the opportunity to receive a quality education. A huge thank you to everyone who braved the 800 km of mountain passes or supported us through donations and sponsorships. Your commitment has made this remarkable achievement possible.”

Tadej Pogačar

“Participating in the #PlumeStrong challenge is a point of pride in my life, and I am thrilled to have ridden again with #PlumeStrong,” said Tadej Pogačar. “I recognize the importance of giving back to those in need and this cycling challenge is one of my favorite ways to do so. The money being raised today will impact those in Sierra Leone and beyond, and I’m honored to be part of this great effort.”

Urška Žigart

“It’s a privilege to be a part of this incredible community of individuals all focused on providing opportunities to communities around the world,” said Urška Žigart. “Becoming a #PlumeStrong Ambassador is a milestone for me, made sweeter by the fact that we’re building a bridge to the cycling world. I look forward to participating in these challenges for years to come.”

Watch the #PSCC24 recap video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2mPn2VA_nI 

Media queries:
Plume: corporatecomms@plume.com
Street Child: ben.weich@street-child.org 

About Plume
Plume is the creator of the world’s first SaaS experience platform for communications service providers (CSPs) and their subscribers, deployed in more than 60 million locations globally. As the only open and hardware-independent, cloud-controlled solution, Plume enables the rapid delivery of new services for smart homes, small businesses and beyond, at massive scale. On the front end, Plume delivers self-optimizing, adaptive WiFi, cybersecurity, access, parental controls and more. CSPs get robust data- and AI-driven back-end applications for unprecedented visibility, insights, support, operations and marketing. Plume leverages OpenSync®, an open-source framework that comes pre-integrated and supported on the leading silicon, CPE and platform SDKs.

Visit plume.com, plume.com/homepass, plume.com/workpass, plume.com/uprise, and opensync.io.

Follow Plume on LinkedIn and Instagram

© 2024 Plume Design, Inc. All rights reserved. Adaptive, Advanced loT Protection, Concierge, Flow, Harvest, Haystack, HomePass, OpenSync, Plume, Plume Adaptive WiFi, Plume IQ, Powered by Plume, Signal, SuperPod, WorkPass, Work From Here, WorldPass, and the Plume and OpenSync Logos, among others, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Plume Design, Inc. See trademark guidelines.

About Street Child
Street Child is one of the world’s fastest-growing international children’s charities, established in 2008. Street Child works to ensure children are safe, in school and learning even, and especially, in low resource environments and emergencies. The charity works with an expanding network of local organisations and a focus on the power and purpose of inspirational local level organisations sits at the heart of all they do – and has done so since the first partnership in Sierra Leone in 2008.

Today Street Child works in over 25 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.  

Learn more

Follow Street Child on LinkedIn and X

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SOURCE Plume Design, Inc.