Frequently Asked Questions

For over 38 years Canvasback has been serving the people of Micronesia. They are a wonderful people who need a great deal of help.

Because of our strong record of service, Canvasback regularly receives requests from the governments of various island nations requesting our Super Teams to, “come over and help us.”

Our initial interest in the region was sparked by founders Jamie and Jacque Spence's time spent sailing the Pacific. Over the course of seven years, they began to see the needs of this land firsthand. The people they met treated them like family and helped them realize the importance of the words they were reading in scripture–words that call us all children of God.

We are an organization founded on the Biblical principles of serving humanity while uplifting the love of Christ. As Jesus healed, we work to heal. As Jesus loved, we try to love.

We take volunteers of all denominations, as well as folks from various religions or of no religion at all. Whatever your beliefs, we feel that when you work to care for the people around you, you are taking part in God's work.

One of our strongest beliefs is that, when possible, change should come from within a community. We make donations go as far as possible by having medical team members volunteer their services. We never charge patients for exams, surgeries, or medicines. We only provide specialty medical care that is unavailable, which means we do not take jobs away from local healthcare workers. In addition, our surgery teams often train local doctors, giving them the skills necessary to improve the overall healthcare of their patients.

The Wellness Center is mainly run by local Marshallese, who work as chefs, health educators, gardeners, and fitness directors. We provide them the necessary training to teach people how to improve their health.

Changing a nation starting with the children. We have created a food education curriculum in Marshall Islands public schools. Teachers, students, and parents are learning how to eat healthy and live longer, happier lives.

Our main source of financial support is from your gifts and those of businesses. In addition, we utilize grant money from island governments, and non-governmental institutions such as the World Diabetes Foundation.

Canvasback is also gifted such items as vehicles, land, antiques and other material property, and estates. We will be happy to discuss a potential gift with you. (707) 746-7828

All of our services to the patients are completely free.  Most surgeries could be $7,000-$20,000 each in the U.S. The teams are made up of volunteers. It does cost Canvasback many thousands of dollars to purchase all the supplies and equipment and make all the preparations for each Super Team. Without all of the logistical support, and thousands of hours in making sure everything is in order—there would be no FREE clinics for the people of Micronesia.