October 28, 2007 is national "Make a Difference Day' and the members of the St. Clair County Medical Society, their families, and their office staffs are busy collecting personal care items to be donated to local domestic violence shelters.

Here's how you can make a difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our community -- the families who seek shelter from domestic violence.

"The goal again this year is 200 donation bags - one for every member of the Society", says Homeira McDonald, MD - team leader for this year's project. The Michigan State Medical Society Foundation has sponsored this event for over 10 years. Locally, we are pleased to participate in this activity.

The Michigan Department of Community Health states that "about 4 of every 10 women (39%) seen in selected Michigan emergency departments for injuries related to known assults were there beacuse of intimate partner violence" The members of SCCMS know that these women and their children are their patients.