How Do We Help?

It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of a disease like Ebola. At times, I feel powerless to support Charles, my father, in his work to fight an epidemic so far away. I am a medical student studying at the University of Colorado. It has become hard for me to sit in class, studying medicine, but knowing I am not sufficiently trained to have joined my father in Sierra Leone. It’s hard to concentrate on the pathophysiology of diabetes, hard to value practicing a pretend physical exam when I know my father is surrounded by real illness and suffering. I feel disconnected even when I attend lectures at the University Hospital about Ebola – they cover the science, describing a filovirus with single stranded RNA. They explain the basis of the virus’s high infectivity and 70% mortality rate. They explain the University’s response plan for dealing with any cases that could theoretically show up in Colorado. But they don’t touch on the experience of the thousands of patients, their families, or the medical professionals working in West Africa.

As a family and community we strive to support Charles with our voices, sending love and appreciation for his effort. I see my mother, holding the family strong, spending her time keeping the details of life together, and sharing his fight against Ebola via this blog. Tonight, many are gathering to light a candle and send a prayer across the world. Please hold Charles in your hearts with us.

And then I want you to take one step more. You are not powerless. Please consider donating to the cause. There are many groups working tirelessly in West Africa that need more help: more volunteers and more funding. My sister has set up fundraiser to support Charles’ efforts. Donate Now. Our goal is to raise $10,000 which he will use as he sees fit to support the new Ebola Treatment Unit, the community, and International Medical Corps.

We live in such comfort, so often free of disease, and with expert medical care at our fingertips. The few Ebola patients that have been treated here in the US, have had access to constant monitoring, IV fluids, electrolytes, respirators, kidney dialysis, and even blood transfusions. These interventions are not in the toolbox in West Africa.

With such abundance and such an immediate need of funding, please consider supporting Charles and any of the groups working to combat this disease. You can do something. Ask yourself the same question my father asked, “Why not me?” and give what you can.

Alex

Off to Sierra Leone to Help Fight the Ebola Epidemic

Dear Friends and Family,

Sierra Leone Ebola Epidemic Map from CDC

It seems that the world is awash in very large problems most of which I can not change through my actions. The Ebola epidemic sweeping through three West African countries is the one global threat I am uniquely qualified to confront. Over the past two months I watched from the safety of my soft chair while Ebola relentlessly spread, with the incidence and death toll steadily rising. Without immediate full on confrontation Ebola could claim hundreds of thousands of lives, destroy countries, create civic panic.

I began to ask myself what I was going to do about this, what I had to offer. I kept looking deeply into my heart and kept hearing the question and answer “Why not me?” I am, after all, experienced in Africa, infectious disease, and international relief. Torkin and I have been in deep conversations about life, death, commitment and action. What if I should get ebola? What if this should take my life? Who should respond to this crisis? One result of these conversations is a profound closeness, an immediacy of kindness, compassion, and patience with one another because just thinking about Ebola is enough for us to cherish one another.

I have now signed up with the International Medical Corps to volunteer in Sierra Leone to run an Ebola Treatment Center.  I will be leaving on Tuesday and will be gone for 6 weeks. During this time I will be in charge of a clinic team in a newly created treatment center in Lunsar, a city north of Freetown. I will be trained by MSF spending hours learning how to “don and doff” the protective suits, and learning everything I can about ebola. I will be entering a world of death, despair, and confusion but also a world where human compassion and immediate medical care count the most.

I will be sending out occasional letters about my experience and will include you. If for any reason you do not want to receive these emails please let me know. I appreciate all of the love, prayers, and meditations for the people suffering from Ebola, for the fear that they and their families and countrymen live with, for the panic sweeping this country. Please see me as safe and healthy in these thoughts. While both Torkin and I have a good dose of our own fears it is most helpful if you send us your most positive thoughts and pray for a world free from Ebola.

I go with good heart and strong intention to do what I can.

Love to all of you,

Charles