Help me heal the world with acupuncture

Dear compassionate friends,

My name is Chad, and I’m a student of acupuncture at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. In June 2024, I’ll proudly graduate with a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture after three years of rigorous training and practice. But I believe there’s more to learn, and I have a big dream: to travel to Asia, the birthplace of acupuncture, and learn from the masters of this ancient healing art.

My Background and Motivation

My journey began in the Navy, where I served as a Diver and a Search and Rescue swimmer for four years. During my service, I was exposed to the power and potential of alternative healing methods in Southeast Asia. I witnessed how acupuncture, along with other modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine, could treat a variety of conditions, from chronic pain to mental stress, with minimal side effects.

After the Navy, I became a Registered nurse, specializing in pediatric and adult emergency care. My pediatric emergency nursing experience allowed me to travel to Laos and volunteer at Laos Friends Hospital for Children, where I provided nursing to children who were incredibly sick.

My Plan and Goal

Now, as my formal schooling ends, I have a unique opportunity to continue my education and provide service in Asia. I’ve been accepted as a volunteer for the Acupuncture Relief Project in Nepal, a nonprofit organization based in Washington State. Your donations will enable me to travel to Nepal, where I will be practicing acupuncture in a rural clinic outside Kathmandu. Your generosity covers my essential costs and supports this facilities’ vital work.

As a volunteer, I will travel to Nepal for seven months, where I will work alongside other acupuncturists and local healthcare workers. We will provide acupuncture treatments to hundreds of patients per week, many of whom have never received any form of healthcare before. I will also participate in training and research activities.

After I complete my volunteer program in Nepal, I plan to travel to China for further studies as long as my funds allow, where I will seek to learn from the masters of acupuncture. China is the origin and the source of acupuncture, and it has a rich and diverse tradition of this healing art. However, much of this knowledge is highly personalized and can rarely be found in an institutionalized setting. Therefore, I will try to connect with local acupuncturists, who can teach me their skills and secrets.

My goal is to deepen my understanding and practice of acupuncture, and to bring back this valuable knowledge to my patients and community in the U.S. I believe that by learning from the masters of acupuncture, I can become a better healer, and offer more effective and holistic treatments to people who need them.

My Budget and Expenses

To make this dream come true, I need your support and generosity. I have calculated the costs of my travel and expenses, and I need to raise $24,250 by October 2024. This amount will cover the following items:

Transportation: $6,500

Portland to Kathmandu

Kathmandu to Chengdu

Chengdu to Portland

Acupuncture Relief Project in Nepal at the Bajrabarahi Clinic Volunteer Program $6,830 (fees, food, & lodging)

Further studies in China (estimated fees, food, & lodging): $9,000

Visas and Other Expenses: $1,920

Your impact

Not only will your contribution help me achieve my dream of becoming a healer, blending ancient wisdom with modern technology, but it will make a profound impact on the lives of patients in Nepal and back here when I return! Your support fuels my mission to bring holistic healing to underserved communities.

Your Call to Action

Please join me in this inspiring and meaningful cause. Every dollar counts, and your donation brings me one step closer to helping heal the world with acupuncture.

Thank you for your generosity and compassion. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and I need your help to make it happen. Please share my GoFundMe page with your friends and family, and let’s make a collective impact. Together, we can make a difference.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Chad