ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando doctor plans to deliver medical supplies Tuesday to the hurricane-ravaged island of Puerto Rico.
Dr. Arcilio Alvardo, who owns nine clinics in Central Florida and on Puerto Rico, said that seeing the images of damage and flooding left in Hurricane Maria's wake compelled him to take action.
Alvardo contacted doctors and nurses on the island to ask what supplies were most needed, and he transformed his Orlando and Kissimmee clinics into drop-off sites for items, including canned food and bottled water.
"In Puerto Rico right now, there's a wipeout. So (there's) nothing there," he said. "It's just (a) disaster -- no water, no food."
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Alvardo said he'll deliver the donated supplies during the several trips he must take to reopen his clinics.
"We have a responsibility, we have a commitment (to) my patients," he said. "We have a commitment (to) Puerto Rico, and that's what we are doing right now."
Alvardo had plans to depart from Orlando International Airport for Puerto Rico Monday morning, but his flight was canceled. He said he'll try to fly out Tuesday.
Alvardo wasn't the only one unable to travel to the island Monday.
Passenger Angel Morales said he has been trying to return to the island since the day before the hurricane pummeled the island.
"Everything is full," Morales said. "I have no contact with my family either, so I can't tell my wife."
Passenger Isaura Andino said she and her daughter had to sleep at the airport because their flight to San Juan was canceled Sunday.
"I know people might be saying, 'What do you want to go to Puerto Rico for? There's no water, there's no light,'" Andino said. "But my family (is there)."
JetBlue representatives said flights are expected to resume in one week.
Cox Media Group
