On this episode of Direct Relief Connect, StephOfAnime, a Pokémon-focused content creator, and Erick Molina, a Program Manager for Latin America at Direct Relief, discuss the Pokémon community, the upcoming Pokéthon event, and the impact of Direct Relief’s work in Latin America. The upcoming Pokéthon event will take place September 3-5 ..read more

On this episode of the Direct Relief Connect podcast, Sab Irene, a video game saxophonist and music educator, and Paul Grankowski, Special Events Manager at Direct Relief, discuss personal growth through music and utilizing their skills for new philanthropic opportunities in the digital space. Paul also provides great insight into some lesser-known communities that Direct Relief supports through event coordination ..read more

Graham a.k.a. Tabetai Cooking, a Food & Drink content creator, and Rose Levy, Program Manager for Global Programs at Direct Relief, discuss the joys of creative home cooking and how it can be utilized to raise funds that help community health centers. Cooking livestreams, innovation awards for health centers, and “cooking easy things the hard way” are all discussed at length in today’s episode. TabetaiCooking’s Twitch channel: https://twitch.tv/tabetaicooking Direct Relief Cooking Sessions, August 2-7: https://directrelief.org/sessions ..read more

When a condominium in Surfside, Florida, collapsed last month, killing almost one hundred people, the mental health of survivors and their families was a clear priority. Many experienced unthinkable loss, while others are still missing loved ones who remain unaccounted for. For those responding to the tragedy, the experience has had traumatic impacts, as well. In the days following the collapse, Oxnard Fire Chief Alexander Hamilton was deployed to the scene to provide mental health support to first responders working to find victims. With funding from Direct Relief that the Miami Heat raised ..read more

Introducing Direct Relief Connect, a new podcast by Direct Relief. The show brings together highly skilled philanthropists and members of Direct Relief’s staff to provide an in-depth look at the organization’s work, as well as give a glimpse into guests’ personal journeys and how they came to support causes they are passionate about. For the first episode, Jitsu, a gaming content creator who focuses on Monster Hunter and horror games, and Annie Vu, Direct Relief’s Manager of Program Operations speak with Amarica Rafanelli about live streaming antics, digital fundraising, unusual donation incen ..read more

Direct Relief is expediting the in-country delivery of urgently needed medical supplies to organizations supporting people affected by flooding in Pakistan. Abbott Laboratories in Pakistan is donating the children’s oral rehydration solution Pedialyte and the pharmaceutical Entamizole, used to treat gastrointestinal infections including acute amoebic dysentery and giardia, which are common when people are exposed to contaminated standing water in flood situations. American Refugee Committee and Marie Stopes Society in Pakistan will be receiving the medical aid. These longtime partners of Direc ..read more

While those experiencing homelessness are some of the most vulnerable to Covid-19, the population faces substantial barriers to accessing vaccines. Many lack transportation to get to and from a vaccination site. Others live nomadically, making it difficult to commit to a second vaccine appointment. But according to homelessness activist Tasia Thompson, misinformation is the primary issue: “Our main barrier is the fact that we have lots of social media, lots of internet sites, giving information, which may not be correct.” Thompson works for Groundswell, a UK-based grassroots organization that ..read more

Chronic disease and poor mental health are both prevalent conditions that share a complicated relationship. While the two have been shown to be highly correlated, scientists are still exploring exactly how. The link is believed to be bi-directional, meaning both contribute to one another. Research by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows nearly one-third of patients diagnosed with diabetes also experience depression, while those with depression are at higher risk of developing a chronic condition, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The relationship is oft ..read more

Getting treatment for an opioid use disorder can be complicated, often requiring daily visits to receive addiction medication under the supervision of a provider. While guidelines have been relaxed to reduce barriers for those seeking care, it’s not clear how effective the changes have been. “Their barriers are huge here,” said Kim Brown, the founder of Quad Cities Harm Reduction (QCHR), “and they’ve been exacerbated by the pandemic.” QCHR distributes supplies, including naloxone, the medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, to drug users across Illinois and Iowa. On this episode of the po ..read more

While Covid-19 is typically benign in children, the pandemic could have long-lasting impacts on society’s youngest members. With childcare programs closed and social distancing measures in place, many children are missing out on opportunities for development. “Children are not getting the cognitive and social stimulation that they would normally get outside their home,” said Dr. Michelle Aguilar, the head of pediatrics at Venice Family Clinic in Los Angeles, California. Providers have noted delays in speech and language as well as trouble sharing and being in groups. But for children, a delay ..read more