Abaco Island Relief Fund

The Abacos in the Bahamas' Out Islands are a remote chain of paradise where peaceful denizens live.  These islands are a very special place to many, including salt water fly fishermen from around the world who come to angle it's shallow water.  I have many friends in the Abacos, thanks to a series of press trips I've done over the years to promote fishing there.  Hurricane Dorian effectively destroyed the island chain, eradicating all structures, taking with them a yet-underdetermined number of lives.  Today bodies lay in the streets, standing water festers propagating mosquito blooms, and a likely eminent outbreak of Cholera lurks. There's no fresh water, no food, no sanitation. Contaminated water will spread disease in the coming weeks, and there's no help on the ground.  The Red Cross hasn't even postured to land aid there, rather the focus is on evacuation in the face of rising violence, looting and live power lines abound.  It's a catastrophe in every sense of the word.

Because there's no medical aid, I will personally be organizing an independent mission to the Abacos for late October, when disease is anticipated to be most prevalent.  I plan to fly to Fort Lauderdale.  From there, I've arranged a seat in the cargo hold of a relief plane, a private charter, who will be getting me to Great Abaco.  From there my friend Oliver White, a renowned fishing guide who's lost everything, will be putting me up in his relative's home that withstood the storm.  Good To Go dehydrated foods will be donating my food, as there will be none on the ground.  Eastern Mountain Sports will be donating DEET, CVS donating Tylenol and Motrin, and the list goes on.

My personal expenses are unknown, but will include baggage fees to transport 200lb in prescription medications and trauma supplies to Ft. Lauderdale, as well as cargo flight weight-based fees to Great Abaco. I'm hoping to minimize these expenses.  I do not know the exact cost, as this is a dynamic situation, but my . personal costs are anticipated to be in the thousands.

This place, these people, are special.  Tragically my sons will never see the Abacos as they were just a month ago.  They are forever changed, but my hope is to do what I can to help the residents as they fight disease and fight for their lives.

I'll be there for a mere week, but hope to tend to hundreds of ill patients, and leave with them supplies and education so they can continue to self-help in the absence of any medical relief.  And because of their plight, and their need for the love of the world right now in this horrible time, I ask for your help.

And of course, any excess funds, should there be any,  will be directly donated to medical relief efforts in the Abacos.  This is a personal mission I am undertaking and will be funding this mission in its entirety. There is no affiliation with Huggins Hospital, my employer, or Tamworth Family Medicine, my practice.