In March of this year, the Environmental Brigades Chapter at the University of Virginia traveled to the small village of El Entredero, Panama to continue the construction of eco-latrines for families in the community. During the trip, one of the volunteers was playing with a group of local children from the community when tragedy struck. Kasey Crute, a freshman at the University of Virginia (UVA), severely injured both her spine and spinal cord while swimming and is now undergoing extensive medical treatment and physical therapy. Medical expenses related to both the surgery and the rehabilitation has placed a significant financial burden on Kasey’s family.

Accordingly, Environmental Brigades is asking the friends of Kasey and her family as well as fellow Global Brigades’ chapters to help support Kasey with these costs in any way that they can. Secure online donations can be made on this site and ALL donations are tax-deductible.

On behalf of Kasey and her family, we thank you for any support you provide, through both finances and promotion of this cause. Kasey’s courage and strength throughout the process has been inspiring and her commitment to global environmental issues and development has been unwavering. Regardless of a donation, please send your thoughts and prayers to Kasey as she begins her road to recovery so that one day she can again physically apply her passion for humanitarian service.

Please visit the pictures tab of UVA Environmental Brigades to see pictures of Kasey both before and during the brigade in Panama.