Hello, my name is Stephen Wittels and I am medical doctor from Miami, Florida. While in college studying developmental economics, I was exposed to many of the health problems that exist throughout the world. Although we often think that global problems are too big for anyone to tackle, there is often a tangible solution to these dire tragedies. Cholera is one such tragedy. It is devastating underdeveloped countries, and this problem can be easily addressed. I would like to take a moment to explain to you why you should care about cholera and why you should donate to my cause.
The word “cholera” can have two meanings in everyday use. On one hand, cholera may refer to the gram-negative bacteria Vibrio cholerae. With the aid of funding from Harvard, this single cell organism has been the focus of my research. On a genetic and cellular level I have learned a great deal about this bacterium, which has allowed me to assist in the development and creation of a vaccine for the disease. However, the more I research the scientific buildup of the bacteria, the more I learn about the global health impact of Cholera.
This brings me to the second use of the word “cholera,” referring to the bacterial infection that is responsible for more than 150,000 deaths each year. When a group of Vibrio cholerae coalesce, they can infect an individual and give them the disease cholera. The bacteria colonize the small intestine of an infected person causing severe diarrhea and profuse vomiting. Living in the United States, where the food and water we consume is clean and devoid of cholera colonies, it may seem unlikely that diarrhea and vomiting could lead to death. Unfortunately, for those living in less developed countries, like Haiti and Nepal, where access to clean water is not guaranteed, this intense gastric infection is responsible for up to 150,000 deaths a year. To put this number in perspective, 10,000 people died in 2014 because of the historic outbreak of Ebola that ran rampant. However, unlike Ebola, cholera year after year remains a global health concern.
As it stands right now, water filtration devices are a cost-effective way for people living in vulnerable countries to completely avoid this deadly infection. If a person is already infected with cholera, the most effective way to treat someone is through the use of dehydration salts. Thus, cholera is a deadly infection with a simple solution.
What can you do?
One country with a particularly bad cholera epidemic is Nepal, which just suffered a major earthquake and consequently lost most of their infrastructure. This reduction in infrastructure makes the people of Nepal especially vulnerable to the infection.
After making this realization, I began forging contacts with people living in different villages in Nepal and created a 501c3 non profit organization, called Fighting Cholera International. We are to committed to preventing deaths from cholera by distributing dehydration salts, water-filtration devices, and educational pamphlets.
And so, back to the question: What can you do?
Next to joining us on one of our missions, the most effective way to aid in the solution of this international endemic is a donation of any size. As of right now, the limiting factor in our efforts is strictly the amount of medicine we can obtain to treat this infection. Said differently, our organization is committed to spending any and all of our received donations on nothing but medicine for those affected by this disease. Thus, every ounce of dehydration salts, every education pamphlet, every water filtration device you help us purchase directly aids someone suffering from cholera and helps to save a life.
With that said, I would really appreciate it, if you could make a contribution to my 501c3 non-profit charity. Any and all contributions are extremely appreciated. The easiest way to donate is to send a check to 1085 Kane Concourse, Bay Harbor Islands, Fl, 33154 written out to Fighting Cholera International, inc.
Thank you.
Stephen Parker Wittels
Director, Fighting Cholera International
1085 Kane Concourse,
Bay Harbor Islands, FL, 33154
Hello, World!