NYSNA members have always answered the call in a crisis, even before COVID-19. Drawing on our union’s own experience responding to the earthquakes in Haiti and Superstorm Sandy, we began organizing medical missions to countries hard-hit by hurricanes, and other natural disasters. This work is part of NYSNA’s broader effort to address the public health threats stemming from climate change, and the response from NYSNA nurses has been overwhelming.

In the 3 years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, over 350 NYSNA members have participated in 36 different medical missions, responding to hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis around the world. As part of these missions, NYSNA members have provided assistance for more than 28,000 people in the Philippines, Guatemala, India, Brazil, Thailand, the Bahamas, China, the US Virgin Islands, South Africa, Cuba, Zimbabwe, and Puerto Rico.

Expert relief offered

In January, we started the process of formally incorporating the New York Relief Network (NYRN), a partnership of NYSNA nurses with other healthcare practitioners and trade unionists, to advance this important work. The NYRN will uphold our union’s commitment to deliver critical, timely, and compassionate assistance to those in need, through Medical Missions. NYRN will ensure that once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, NYSNA members have an effective vehicle for responding to man-made and natural disasters throughout the world, offering expert relief and humanitarian aid.

Currently, the New York Relief Network has three (3) open positions on their Board of Directors, and NYRN is looking for NYSNA members who would like to volunteer to help advance this important work. If you or any of your colleagues are interested, please respond by November 20, 2020.

Help us ensure that once we make it through this pandemic, NYSNA members can continue the important work assisting the victims of future crises by donating to New York Relief Network. You can make a tax-deductible contribution online through the NYSNA website at nysna.org/our-campaigns/disaster-relief.

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Help lead NYSNA Medical Missions: volunteer for NYRN Board of Directors

The New York Relief Network is seeking three (3) active NYSNA members to serve on the NYRN Board of Directors. The term is for three (3) years, or until their successors are appointed. To apply for one of these positions, please submit a summary paragraph, answering the following questions:

1. How have you been involved with NYSNA?
2. What is your commitment to building up our union?
3. What is your interest in NYRN/Medical Missions?
4. What is a long-term goal you would have for NYRN as a Board Member?

Please send your paragraph to Marisa Jimenez at marisa.jimenez@nysna.org by Friday, November 20, 2020.