Help Sarah and her Family Recover from LA Fire Tragedy

Heidi Banh is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Sarah Brown.

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This is Sarah Brown, an amazing human and superstar nurse at the West LA VA Hospital. I've had the privilege of working with Sarah over the past several months in an inpatient unit. Her positive spirit, kindness, and little moments of shared laughter brighten my days in the hospital caring for our most vulnerable and ill patients.

This morning, Sarah showed up to work and we checked in as usual. I learned that she tragically lost her home and everything she owned in Altadena in the Eaton Canyon fires over the past few days. SEVEN homes in the family (belonging to immediate family members) were burned down. She and her family are currently staying at a hotel. Her 87 year old aunt Miva is missing, and her family is still searching every shelter and evacuation place, praying for the best.

And yet, despite these tragedies, Sarah brought herself to work today to care for her patients. This is what moved me to tears. From all of my time of knowing Sarah, she has given SO much of herself in service of others especially her patients. She selflessly cares for their needs (medical and emotional), spends time listening to them in their most distressing times, and serves with the compassion we all hope our family members would receive should they ever be in the hospital. Even after she was stripped away from her own basic needs, she is giving her whole heart to others to provide for theirs.

Sarah is not one to ask for help herself, but I am starting this fundraiser (with her permission) on her behalf as this time, she absolutely needs the help. Her family is in desperate need of ANYTHING you are able to give. Your contributions will give Sarah and her family HOPE and a chance to recover in this unimaginable time. 100% of funds raised will go directly to Sarah. They will be used to cover unexpected costs not fully covered by other sources of aid, and help them through this challenging time.

If you are unable to give, please offer a prayer and/or share this with your community and networks. Thank you for helping.

Heidi Banh

UCLA/VA Psychiatry Resident Physician

On behalf of the UCLA/VA and UCLA NPI Psychiatry Residents

Sarah's family searching for their Aunt Miva:

https://x.com/cbseveningnews/status/1878961013346758746?s=46

This features Sarah's sister who is searching relentlessly for their aunt Miva with their family.

https://7news.com.au/sunrise/la-woman-searches-for-missing-aunt-amid-devastating-southern-californian-wildfires-as-death-toll-rises-c-17340352

Their Papa is interviewed towards the end:

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-10/destruction-surprise-heartbreak-greet-altadena-residents-returning-after-evacuation

See 1:04-1:50 for Sarah's brother Stephen on their missing Aunt Miva:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej1w1tCb2TQ