You are invited to see the transformational power of generosity and unlock a world of healing for those who are in desperate need of loving, life-saving care.

From Ethiopia to Colombia, Ukraine to the United States, families do not have access to health care.  At this one-night-only event, you will walk alongside them and bear witness to their pain and to their healing.

Where the doors to life-saving care are locked – you are the key.

Join Medical Teams International for our annual fundraising gala where we will share exciting updates from 7 countries around the world, celebrate your support, and invite you to partner with us in bringing healthcare to those who need it most.

You won’t want to miss this! Tickets are limited for this amazing evening so get yours today! 

NIGHT OF DETAILS

5:00 Doors Open

Dinner | Program | Paddle Raise | Auction

Dress Code: Cocktail Attire

VENUE | COLUMBIA COLLECTIVE

14030 NE 145th St, Woodinville, WA 98072

The historic Columbia Collective building is a pillar of Woodinville Wine History. Occupied by Columbia Winery for decades, the building was the site of many firsts for Woodinville wine country.  

UNLOCK THEIR STORIES

We want you to meet 6 amazing individuals from different parts of the world, all of whom needed care from Medical Teams to survive and thrive. These individuals are representative of the millions we serve every year.

Originally from Democratic Republic of Congo, Abubaker fled in 2011 with a group of friends on foot, making a dangerous 2-week journey to Uganda. He was only 15 years old. 

His mother and father had both been murdered by rebels, and he had no siblings or other family. 

“I was sad that I was leaving my home,” he shares, "but I was filled with worry too that if I do not leave, I will end up like my parents. I was so scared during the journey to Uganda.” 

In fear for his life, Abubaker made the long journey on foot before taking a taxi to reach the Kyaka II refugee settlement. Because he was not able to go through the regular process of becoming a refugee, he was considered an asylum seeker, making it even more difficult for him to access resources and begin a new life for himself in Uganda. 

Young, fearful, and losing hope, Abubaker wondered if he would ever be able to realize his dream of a safe home and a family of his own...

Berhe was born and raised in the Afar Region in Ethiopia, but was forced to flee with his family when violent conflict erupted. They fled to the town of Semera, where they attempted to create a new life, but they were eventually arrested and held prisoner, further adding to his emotional distress. 

Despite his traumatic experiences with war and displacement, Berhe always had dreams of attending college and studying Economics. He enrolled at Harmaya University then later transferred to Mekelle University, but then his mental health took a catastrophic turn.  

His mental health deteriorated so severely that he had to drop out of university. He eventually became completely mentally incapacitated and would remain that way for 14 years.  

It broke his mother Aberehete’s heart to watch her son deteriorate. With tear-filled eyes, she shares, “He was so sick and out of control, he used to sleep on the streets sometimes, even tearing up his own clothing.” 

Berhe began self-destructive behaviors like smoking and living on the streets, he was incoherent and unable to care for himself. He began to destroy the only loving relationships he had, just as the violence and chaos of war had destroyed his spirit.  

His mother had to live every day not knowing if he would ever recover and return to the loving son she once knew… 

At 4 years old, David didn’t have much time left to live. Living in an abusive and unstable household, he wasn’t receiving the care a young child needs. He became severely malnourished. Eventually, David was abandoned and left in the care of his grandmother, Kedress.  

Kedress’ heart broke for her grandson—she knew he was dying. She tried to treat him with herbs, but he wasn’t improving. She was desperate for help. And that’s when it showed up on her doorstep—in the form of a Medical Teams Community Health Volunteer. 

They saw David was in urgent need of medical care and encouraged Kedress to take him to a Medical Teams clinic.  

When David arrived at the clinic, he was in severe pain. His skin was peeling off, and he was swollen all over. When the Medical Teams nutritionist saw David come in, she dropped everything to treat him... 

Reuben and his family have lived in Tanzania since 2015 after fleeing from Burundi due to the war. His mother Oleria became familiar with Medical Teams through the visits from community health workers in their neighborhood. So, when Reuben became critically ill one night, she knew that she needed to rush him to the nearest clinic for care.    

After a few days of dealing with what seemed like a cold, Reuben woke in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and collapsed on his way back to bed. His eyes turned white, saliva ran from his mouth, and he started to violently shake. As parents, this was Richard and Oleria’s worst nightmare. They panicked and rushed him to the clinic immediately.   

At the clinic, a test confirmed Reuben’s diagnosis: severe malaria.  

"I, myself, lost all hope,” Richard admits. The parents watched helplessly as medical staff raced to treat Reuben.   

Reuben’s little body was fighting hard for survival – he had a fever, an impossibly high heart rate, and a significant lack of oxygen. His oxygen saturation was only 31%. He struggled for each breath and went in and out of consciousness. His parents feared that, at any moment, he could die... 

Local librarian Nadiya and her family were living a peaceful life on a small farm where they kept livestock, grew produce, and raised their 4 beautiful children.   

When conflict began, Nadiya’s husband was called to the frontlines – he was tragically killed in the liberation of the Kherson region, leaving Nadiya alone with their 4 children as their home was repeatedly hit with shelling.   

In fear for their lives, Nadiya hid her children in their small, cramped basement, where they didn’t have access to nutritious food or drinking water for weeks.   

“My boy’s muscles began to deteriorate living in these conditions,” she recalls. Her youngest daughter suffered from recurring kidney and bladder infections. Without access to medications or treatments, the little girl endured uncontrollable urinary accidents.   

In addition to her mental health declining under such dire conditions, Nadiya’s stomach ulcers worsened, and she began to lose weight. The children had frequent constipation, vitamin deficiency, anemia, and colds.   

The darkness of war was truly suffocating them, living in that small basement with no access to the medical care they desperately needed.  

Nadiya awoke every morning wondering how many more days of suffering she and her children could possibly endure… 

*Note: photo is representative of our work in Ukraine and mothers like Nadiya.

Yatzil is from Caracas, Venezuela where she lived with her husband and 3 children before migrating to Colombia in 2017. She was the owner and operator of 2 clothing stalls, and her husband worked in a shipping company.   

 As crisis erupted in Venezuela, her husband went to Colombia to establish a job and a home for them, and after a year of struggling, losing their house, and making the heartbreaking decision to dissolve her business, Yatzil followed him there with her 3 children.   

After waiting for days at the station, a 12-hour bus ride, and a stressful trip on foot the rest of the way, the family finally arrived in Barranquilla.   

One of the most challenging aspects of daily life as a migrant family was the lack of access to medical care. When Yatzil discovered she was pregnant, she had nowhere to turn for prenatal care.   

“It is not an easy process. In Venezuela, we had everything easy but here in Colombia, it is hard,” Yatzil shared.  

The wait for care at the local clinic was too long—Yatzil needed to make sure that her baby was healthy as soon as possible... 

During the evening, you will hear the outcomes of their incredible stories and see how your support unlocked a world of healing for them and their families.

QUESTIONS?

Email events@medicalteams.org