I was shocked to learn Saturday morning that a powerful earthquake struck
Nepal, the small, peaceful republic that is cradled in the Himalayas. With
eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, Nepal is rift with geological
wonders, which draws mountaineers and adventures seekers annually.

Officials this morning are estimating over 4,000 have died, with
many more injured. The quake is Nepal’s most powerful in decades, and struck 80
kilometres east of Pokhara, about half way between the town and the capital
Kathmandu.

I know many people in Nepal. The hemophilia community there is a
tight knit group, effective and efficient, and dedicated to patients. The Nepal Hemophilia Society (NHS) was
formed by a volunteer group of patients with bleeding disorders and parents in
1992. There are an estimate 3,000 people with hemophilia in Nepal, but only
several hundred have been identified.

I last visited in 2001, and was impressed then with how they operate.
Of course, they don’t

Save One Life also operates in Nepal. We sponsor many children, and
look forward to sponsoring a camp for them next year. In fact I was just on the
phone last week with colleagues, discussing a trip to Everest’s base camp. Base
camp was struck by an avalanche as a result of the earthquake, and 18 people
died. This is the worst single-day disaster in Everest’s history.

We
hope to hear soon from our Nepalese colleagues and reach everyone who sponsors
a child in Nepal to let you know how they are doing, and to set up a special
fund if needed. There are two children from Nepal waiting for sponsorships, if
you want to do something today, now to help. Please consider sponsoring those children, to help support them, in a country that is was already having trouble
supporting its people, and now is crushed by the aftermath of this massive
earthquake.