Friends of MSF at Pitt
Hello! We are the Friends
of MSF at Pitt, an advocacy-based organization that promotes the work of
Doctors Without Borders within the Pittsburgh community. As a part of a
community of dozens of Friends of MSF chapters across the nation, we strive to raise
awareness of the humanitarian efforts that the Doctors Without Borders
personnel engage in around the globe.
Doctors Without Borders,
or Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), is an international non-governmental
organization that provides medical aid to communities facing dire
circumstances. No matter the situation, whether it be war, famine, disease,
natural disaster, or any other type of tragic event, MSF professionals will be
there to help. The organization has a presence in more than seventy countries,
providing a wide spectrum of care and humanitarian assistance to people
regardless of their gender, religious affiliation, ethnic background, or
political perspective. An increasingly significant aspect of MSF’s work
involves the prevention and treatment of mental health illnesses that arise
within populations facing crisis. MSF recognizes that mental health issues are
highly stigmatized in certain regions of the world to which they travel, so
they place an emphasis on aiding affected individuals and addressing its root
causes whenever possible. In just 2020, for example, MSF performed over 350,000
mental health consultations. We truly believe in the mission of MSF and support
its ever-increasing efforts to provide care to people in need, and we would
love to see them gain funding so that they can further expand their impact.
To promote the
work of Doctors Without Borders, Friends of MSF at Pitt hosts community
volunteering projects, guest speaker events, and drug training sessions for our
members to participate in. We also discuss various topical issues in global
health, including the mental health pandemic and the persistent toll of
COVID-19, and the importance of staying informed about such problems at our
bi-weekly meetings. We have even collaborated with organizations throughout the
Pittsburgh region to make de-stress kits for school-going children or to write
hospice cards to elders facing loneliness. We are constantly brainstorming new
ideas for future meetings and events that promote member involvement while
advocating on behalf of Doctors Without Borders. However, to help bring these
new ideas into fruition, we are in need of funding to support our organization.
These funds will be used for the many materials, event fees, and transportation
costs we currently finance through our fundraised money. To create more fun and
engaging events for our members, such as a music-filled advocacy event
featuring a DJ, we must acquire funding beyond what our periodic fundraisers
are capable of raising. There are, overall, many financial barriers to
establishing worthwhile opportunities for those in our organization, so we
would greatly appreciate any help that can be provided to us! Receiving
donations grants us the freedom to extend beyond our current capabilities and
organize larger and more diverse activities. This would enable us to have a
greater presence on the University of Pittsburgh campus and a better ability to
perform outreach in the Pittsburgh community. For instance, we may gain a
larger student base of support for public health initiatives or begin
volunteering more frequently with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Any donation, no matter the amount, would be invaluable to our club and all of
our members. We appreciate your support for us and the mission of MSF!