Help cover Nate's recovery

On October 25th, Nate's esophagus ruptured while he was traveling in a remote area of the Amazon in Peru. He went to a clinic because he was struggling to breathe. It took the clinic a few days to identify the issue. By the time they did, Nate's breathing was severely compromised. He was medevaced to Lima, where he was intubated and lost consciousness. The doctors performed a series of life-saving surgeries, including one that lasted eight hours, to isolate his esophagus and to control the infections caused by the esophageal contents leaking around Nate's lungs and heart.

Nate has been on life support for 12 days, unconscious and on a ventilator. If he pulls through, he faces an incredibly long road ahead. Peru has a pay-as-you-go healthcare system, and Nate's family is paying out of pocket. The first bill was $25,000. If he pulls through, he faces a long rehabilitation, including a high probability of esophagus reconstruction surgery, and he will probably be unable to work for most of 2022.

Nate's friend Adam is with him in Lima and has been by his side every day managing his care with the heroic ICU and surgical teams. He, Jody (Nate's mom), and I are incredibly grateful for all of the care he is receiving in Lima and for the countless hours so many of you have contributed researching medical options, translating, identifying local and foreign experts who are consulting and advising on a volunteer basis, and the many other ways friends have already contributed.

As most of you know, Nate is an epidemiologist who has devoted his adult life to serving global communities on public health issues. Mostly recently, just this summer during the pandemic, he worked in the field in South Sudan. He has nine lives, and already survived a plane crash that killed many other passengers. Okay, he fashions himself as super independent and he's kinda made of steel, but let's face the facts of this crisis: Even Nate could use some collective assistance about now.

We know so many of you love Nate and have asked how you can help him and his family. Donating even a small amount to cover medical fees, which are quickly accumulating, would be a tangible contribution to this heartbreaking crisis.

Thank you in advance for helping.