... and here we go!

Hi Everyone!

I decided it would be easiest for me to try this blogging trend while traveling this year. As you already know I am headed off to Haiti in just a few days. I am waiting confirmation on whether I leave Sunday night January 23rd or Monday the 24th. I am very excited and wish I could head out today- but way too much to do!

I am joining my fellow nurses from Allegheny General Hospital along with other nurses from Maryland and Florida as organized by our union SEIU HealthCare. It's quite exciting to a part of such a wonderful cause and an amazing group. Within a couple hours Monday January 18th I found out I was permitted to leave work for a week and head over to Haiti as part of the AGH Disaster Relief Team. A day later I was contacted to be the "go-to-nurse" for the media interviews. It's been a new experience for me and very interesting, I am honored to be chosen to help represent our group publicly.

Over the past few days I have contacted a few companies in the Greensburg and Monroeville areas regarding donations for Haiti. I am proud to say that I have 3 businesses collecting donations for myself to bring over to Haiti. I look forward to collecting the items tomorrow to pack in my supplies bag.

...And if my travel arrangements weren't last minute enough- CW Press on East Carson St in Pittsburgh has committed to making 20 shirts for each of our nurses approved to leave for Haiti AND dropped the $100 rush order fee. Service in less than 24 hours! I can't wait to show the team the design, they are all going to love it! Thanks CW PRESS!

So today- I just got off work this morning. I am waiting on my rented global phone to be delivered from Verizon shortly (so I can try to update the blog as often as possible while in Haiti). Then I believe I am scheduled for another interview today, this one with SEIU HealthCare Headquarters. They are going to try to keep in touch with me while in Haiti also so be on the lookout for their newsletter!

And the rest of my days consists of the Allegheny County Health Dept. for some wonderful vaccinations that I am sure are going to make my arm feel terrific, and some final shopping for my energy food, brush ups, baby-wipes and last minute emergency items (flashlights, masks, gloves, etc), and hopefully getting some sleep!

Well, hopefully you are not focusing on my grammar in the blog and are interested to hear about my travels. I can't wait to head off and bring back some amazing experiences to share with you all.

Before I go I want to thank SEIU for allowing us to take part in this mission. I also have to thank my coworkers Holly Spotts, and Kristin Graziano for picking up my work week next week, and to Hannah Umandap for donating 8 of her hard earned vacation hours to me for this trip and lastly to Angela Costa, my supervisor for signing my leave papers permitting me to leave work.

Thank you to my family for your love and support- I will be fine :)

Also thanks to you all who care to read my blog- Hopefully I will be able to add pictures to this site and bring the U.S. to Haiti one blog at a time :)

-Jessica