Panama first lady raising money for medical supplies for home country’s indigenous population

Panama first lady seeks money for medical supplies

DENVER — The first lady of Panama says money raised at a Denver luncheon will provide help to indigenous people in her country.

First lady Marta Martinelli spoke Wednesday at a Project CURE fundraiser, which is expected to raise money to deliver $3 million worth of medical supplies.

The Colorado-based non-profit provides medical supplies to the developing world.

Martinelli says that about 10 percent of Panama’s population, or about 285,000 people, are indigenous and most of them live in poverty. She says they face illnesses such as respiratory and stomach problems as well as HIV.

Previous Project CURE fundraisers have raised more than $7 million combined for Mexico, Ghana, El Salvador and Belize.