When something uplifted your spirits, opened your eyes to different circumstances, and basically changed your life, you won't want to stop. You'll go for it again. Take a minute to think about your life and you'll realize how fortunate you are. As am I. But take a minute to think about the thousands of people who don't have it like we do. They walk miles to reach a hospital, but don't even have the money for it. Their own water sickens them. And they strive to SURVIVE, not to LIVE.

Just wait for my spiel... :)

So as many of you know, I started school at Boston University in September 2012. I immediately became involved with Global Medical Brigades on campus, which is part of a larger international organization. In May 2013 I went on my first medical brigade to Honduras with a group of the most passionate, caring, and talented students I've ever met. (HOLLA if you're reading this guys) We came back wanting to do more because what we did in Honduras was extraordinary.

Before we even land in country, we recruit medical professionals (physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners) to join us on our brigade. We also fundraise throughout the semester to buy loads of medications (we love donations too). We prepare a "charla" for the children of the communities and teach them all about personal hygiene and health in the most fun, visual, and engaging way possible. Then we get to Honduras and BU GMB works alongside the Honduran Global Brigades team. We sort our medications into baggies in order to give each person a deserved, fair amount. Once brigade days come along, we set up a medical clinic (usually in a school) in a given community. We have stations including triage, doctor consult, a gynecologist, a dental station, children and adult "charla," and a pharmacy. But we work for more. We're there to form a connection, show them we care, and immerse ourselves. While doing so, we give patients the treatment they lack, teach both kids and adults (through the charlas) the importance of their health, make balloons, form conversations, brush kids teeth, and give communities an opportunity they otherwise wouldn't receive. These community members walk hours just to reach us. In May I was told a family walked five hours to visit our clinic! And we love brigading. We live for it. I don't even aspire to be a doctor like much of my friends. I'm a political science, journalism, and french student amongst a ton of pre-meds and engineers. But we all do it for the experience and the change on both ends. It's something so wonderful I cannot express through words without becoming too flustered (as clichés would have it).

So that's what Global Medical Brigades does, and that's what I hope to do again. Please help me get there! Your donations would mean a lot to me. $1, $2, $5, $10.15...it all makes a huge difference. If you can't help out this way, then please share this with your friends and family. And if you're a doctor, or you know of a doctor who knows of a doctor who might be interested in joining us, please contact me! Medical donations and prayers are also welcomed with open arms! Basically anything is welcome :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!