Iowa Loves LA

Have you been watching the devastating news about the fires in California and wanted to help but weren’t sure how?

Recently, I reached out to Dr. Dale Abel, the former head of our Department of Internal Medicine and now Chair of Medicine at UCLA, to check on him and his team. Thankfully, his neighborhood east of Pacific Palisades, which was under an evacuation warning, was ultimately spared, and he and his lab members who moved from Iowa City to Los Angeles are safe.

However, the fires have tragically impacted their community. Several of Dr. Abel’s faculty and staff—around 30 individuals—lost their homes in the Palisades and Altadena. Imagine if 30 of our own neighbors, friends, and colleagues lost their homes in the same week. We would rally around them because that’s who we are as Iowans.

Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day dedicated to service and improving our communities, this effort aligns with the spirit of Dr. King’s mission: participating in acts of service to uplift others and reaffirming our commitment to creating a better future for all.

With that in mind, I’ve started this GoFundMe fundraiser called Iowa Loves LA to support those affected by these fires. Half of the funds raised will be donated to the Red Cross, and the other half will go to the UCLA Department of Medicine Fund, which is helping their faculty and staff recover.

Of course, you are welcome to donate directly to either fund, but I hope we can contribute as a department to show the strength of our collective compassion and solidarity.

Let’s show our California neighbors the heart that Iowa has. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference.