ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA
SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 4, 2025
Although this marked our 15th mission overall, Mission 2025 was also a year of exciting firsts — we had the biggest travel team ever with 93 travel team members! Over 40 % of the team members were new, joining us for theier very first mission trip. In addition, we had the privilege of hosting the leaders from the new Operation Walk New York City team, as part of their training and in preparation for their very first trip in June of 2026.
As always, the most important part of every trip is being able to provide free joint replacement surgery to those in need. During Mission 2025, we operated on 59 patients, performing a total of 73 hip and knee replacements and 3 revision surgeries.
Our free dental clinic, organized by Dr. Mike Guthrie, now in its fourth year, achieved record-breaking results with two other first time dentists joining him. A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Dental Team, who performed a record 173 procedures for 73 patients.
During Mission 2025, several remarkable patients from Mission 2024 reached out to reconnect with our team. They returned to say hello and proudly share how far they had come since their surgeries. Seeing their restored confidence and mobility was a truly meaningful moment for all of us.
Additionally, this was the second year the Carole Kerr DiGioia and Anthony M. DiGioia Jr. Scholarship Program was available to students pursuing careers in healthcare or those interested in the field, offering them the opportunity to join and travel with the team at no cost. Scholars had the opportunity to learn how patients were selected for surgery, shadow physicians, scrub in on surgeries, and gain special skills and training. Click here to learn more about this one-of-a-kind opportunity.
Witnessing patients walking and enjoying a quality of life that they hadn’t realized in decades is a gift to our team. Patients come from far and wide to show their gratitude, and the team is always happy to reciprocate, as so many of our patients leave us with lasting memories, stories, and smiles year after year.
We couldn’t be happier for the opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues at Obras later this year and to get back to doing what we do best: providing eager patients a fresh start through renewed mobility.
Applying to the travel team
Are you interested on joining the Operation Walk Pittsburgh travel team this year as a clinical or non-clinical volunteer? Slots are available for surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, Spanish interpreters, general hospital volunteers, and many other roles. As a travel team member, you’ll serve an important role in changing the lives of patients in need during mission 2026.
Note that all travel team members must agree to a fundraising commitment to help defray the cost of critically needed surgical supplies and equipment needed for the mission. Fundraising commitments vary by role and average expected salary, and the vast majority of team members engage in informal fundraising efforts such as appeals to their family, friends and co-workers for donations to meet their fundraising goal. We make a number of resources available to team members to make this process as easy as possible. If you’d like more information about the fundraising commitment or have specific questions about the fundraising commitment for a specific role, you’re welcome to contact nick@amd3.org.
The application will remain open until February 6th. You must apply to be considered for the travel team, even those who have travelled with us in the past. You’re always welcome to reach out to us with questions about the mission or the application process, too! Again, please reach out to nick@amd3.org with questions.
Planning for an OpWalk mission and making it all happen takes a tremendous amount of financial and in-kind support. As always, all donations made to Operation Walk Pittsburgh directly support patient care during the mission. We thank all of our donors and corporate sponsors for their support. To make a donation or explore corporate sponsorship opportunities, please email info@amd3.org or click the button below.
If you have a gently used walker or cane you’d like to donate to the mission, please reach out.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
As this year’s mission unfolds, our communications team will be sharing news and updates.
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