Thanks to the generosity of the Linfield College community, two nurses will be heading to the Philippines to respond to super typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded.
One month after the typhoon tore through the Philippines killing thousands, many of the worst-hit areas remain in ruins. The RN Resource Network, a project of National Nurses United and the California Nurses Foundation, is sending a team to ensure that direct-care RNs are among the first on the ground in the Philippines. Extra RNs in the Philippines will be needed for many months to come to address issues such as dehydration, infection, mental health issues and wound care.
Linfield students, faculty and staff on both the Portland and McMinnville campuses, along with local community members, have raised more than $2,500, enough to send two nurses to the Philippines. All proceeds go directly to caring for clients in the Philippines.
Students at the Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing spearheaded the project with an original goal of $1,250 to send one nurse. The Chaplain’s Team in McMinnville joined the effort to raise enough to send an additional nurse.
Carrie Anderson, a Linfield nursing student who leads Nursing Students Without Borders, says the effort demonstrates Linfield’s belief that nurses can provide essential generalized care to hundreds of individuals whose homes, lives and health have been significantly disrupted.
“Linfield College is a globally minded community, and when a natural disaster occurs that is as destructive to human life and health as typhoon Haiyan, it is important to contribute to relief where and how one can,” said Anderson.
Kayla Lisac, a Linfield junior and member of the Linfield Chaplain’s Team, helped organize the McMinnville Campus efforts and said that though students are aware of the tragedy in the Philippines, many don’t know how they can help. This gave community members the chance to make a difference, along with bringing more awareness about the situation.
“The struggles in the Philippines aren’t going away any time soon, and we were able to help others get involved,” she said. “As a student, I can vouch for the fact that there aren’t many spare dollars around to donate, but every dollar does count. It is great to see my peers and the entire Linfield community come together for a great cause.”
The effort was a joint project between Linfield’s Portland and McMinnville Campuses. It was sponsored by the Chaplain’s Team, PDX Student Life, Associated Students of Linfield College, Nursing Students Without Borders, Breathe Club, Office of Community Engagement and Service, Multicultural Programs, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and International Programs.
