Tell us a little about yourselves. What is your background, where you are from, and what you do.

I’ve been in healthcare for almost 20 years, and most of my RN career has been in critical care and organizational management. I live in Lexington, KY, with my fiancé and two children, whom I adore with everything in me. Currently, I’m working at the University of Kentucky in Diagnostic Radiology. Still, I also do freelance writing and have a cheesecake business that keeps me busy (and fat).

You’ve followed the war in Ukraine since the start and tried ways to help from afar before joining Global Care Force. What made you decide to transition from supporting at a distance to going there?

I don’t like bullies, to make it simple. It was clear to me from early on that this was just a power-hungry man (Putin) doing power-hungry things, and the fact that people were going to die just because of this lust for power just really pulled at my soul. The moment it went from helping afar to wanting to go to Ukraine was when I watched the White House interview between Trump, Vance, and Zelenskyy. That interview was embarrassing to me not only as an American but also to someone who values international diplomacy. No one should be treated so disrespectfully, especially when Zelenskyy came here to find solutions for peace. I wanted to show that not all Americans are so crude and disloyal, and the best way to prove that is by volunteering myself.

How did you discover Global Care Force (GCF), and what convinced you this was the right organization for you volunteer efforts?    

I searched online for a few days and spoke to a couple of users on Reddit who had volunteered with GCF in the past and highly recommended it. After clicking the link to the website and reading about the volunteers and what they were doing, I just felt drawn to this organization and wanted to help.

One of our volunteers commented there are “two Ukraine’s.” The modern urban centers, like Kyiv, and the rural communities where our mobile medical clinics operate. What differences did you notice, and how did this shape your experience?

This is true. We are usually only privy to seeing the big cities and major tourist attractions. As a result, funding for Ukraine is largely focused on these areas. As the funds trickle down, it becomes apparent that the rural areas we served had not been rebuilt as well or as quickly as the major cities. I think while this is true from an economic standpoint, the most important thing is that the people of Ukraine are united and share the same qualities. No matter where we were, we were met with kindness, hospitality, and genuine respect for what we were doing. As for how these things shaped my experience, it only made my passion for this trip burn even brighter. Knowing that some of these rural patients may not get what they need from the government while the war is going on only made us feel like our work was much more important.

Can you share a story about a patient, Ukrainian staff member or fellow volunteer who made a lasting impression on you? What moments or interactions will stay with you? 

It wasn’t a patient but one of our Ukrainian volunteers. While touring Kyiv and seeing the different points of destruction, I asked how people could just go on living their lives as normal while this was going on around them. He simply looked at me and said “What’s the alternative? If we stop living, we die.” It was simple, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. The people there don’t have the option of NOT being involved in this war, and to not continue their lives is allowing a Russian victory even with the war still waging. It really humbled my perspective. That and having patients bring gifts to their appointments for us just totally blew me away. These people, who have lost so much, some of them with absolutely nothing left, were still trying to give us gifts. That spirit, which is so evident in the Ukrainian people, will stay with me forever.

As the war continues and media attention shifts, why do you think it’s important for people to maintain their focus on Ukraine?  

It’s important because people are still dying on both sides. And the point remains the same; it’s for no other reason than Putin to make his mark and further conquer the world. If he is successful, then what? Do people think he will stall and just be done? No, he will find a new target and attempt to spread his reach even further. For all we know, it could be us next. I refuse to stop advocating for Ukraine until the world removes Russian forces from their lands.

Volunteers fundraise to support their volunteer service, which allows others who can’t volunteer directly to contribute meaningfully. Do you consider this an effective way for people to make a meaningful difference in a crisis situation?  

I think it’s effective for some but not for others. People who want to help but don’t necessarily have the financial security to do so would likely volunteer time or resources if they could. I think in the future, as the organization grows and sees success, it would be great to have a couple slots for volunteers funded by sponsors or other “ghost” donors. One of the things I asked people to do if they couldn’t afford to donate money was to share my social media posts or bring up the fundraiser at their next office or board meeting to try to spread awareness. Even if they don’t donate, Ukraine is on their radar, and it might open a door for assistance later.  

What would you tell someone who is considering volunteering with Global Care Force?

This trip was the best thing that I have done with my career. Being able to see the differences we were making in the lives of these patients is something that was missing from my day-to-day life in America. I’ve served thousands of patients in my career, but very rarely do I get to really see the impact. Hearing about what these people have endured and survived absolutely reinforced my desire to help, and it assured me that I’m bringing something to them that they truly needed and would not have gotten otherwise.

Is anything else you would like to share about your experience with GCF?

It’s rare to be able to put yourself in a situation with six or seven strangers and still be able to find success for others. I had no idea what to expect from this. Honestly, I didn’t even know for sure how real the organization was until my feet were on the ground in Ukraine. But once I got there and after meeting the team and seeing our first patient…it was an indescribable feeling. I’m grateful for it. I’m grateful for the organization. And I hope that they continue to work with people from all different backgrounds who have a desire to help make the world better rather than worse.  

Interested in volunterring with Global Care Force? Learn more!