How to get involved
- Locally
- Give blood. This one is easy and extremely helpful. Canadian Blood Services estimates that if every registered donor gave three times per year, there would be no blood shortages in Canada. That’s not much, considering that you can give every 56 days if you’re healthy.
- Run a race, walk a walk. Here in Vancouver and in other major cities across Canada, we have the Run to End Poverty, which benefits Engineers Without Borders. The World Partnership Walk happens in cities across Canada in late May and early June. Similar events happen across North America annually.
- Volunteer. There are a myriad of nonprofits that always need basic help, including filing, typing, and serving meals. Food banks are great, or you can volunteer at your local blood bank, serving juice and cookies to donors (see above).
- Raise funds. Have a yard sale, car wash, sleep-a-thon, whatever works for you. Donate the proceeds to your favorite charity or global health organization. Some to check out are the Sabin Vaccine Institute, PATH, and the Novartis Vaccines Institute for Global Health.
- Globally
- Volunteer abroad. There are lots of organizations that arrange volunteer-abroad programs. Some are reputable, some not, and it can be hard to distinguish between them. Check out your favorite Internet groups, ask around at your favorite nonprofit, and see which options might work best for you.
- Participate in the discussion. The more minds that work on these complex problems, the better. Here are some places to start that I like:
- End the Neglect and the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases Facebook group
- Linkedin/Global Public Health
- Little Devices that Could
- Karen Grepin’s Global Health Blog
- Alanna Shaikh's blog
There are many ways that you can contribute to global health right in your own city (“think globally, act locally”). Here are some suggestions:
