My name is Brian Frank and I am a gastroenterologist in Fort Myers and Cape Coral areas. Many of my office staff's homes were completely destroyed during the storm. My family and I are safe on the east coast because we had somewhere to evacuate. Many in the area had nowhere to go and are living in homes with severe wind/water damage, often with neighbors and family members whose homes were unsalvagable. I have made daily trips back to the Fort Myers and Cape Coral area, visiting and delivering supplies to the homes of many of my staff. Some areas have only 1 working vehicle in the entire neighborhood, structural beams in the remaining houses are bending due to water damage, drinkable water is running low (limited by the ability to drive and supply in the area), food supplies are starting to run low, and millions are without electricity and cell service (making it difficult to communicate and determine where supplies are located).

With every disaster, there is a silver lining- the Southwest Florida community has come together to support each other by picking up the debris-littered roads, bringing others into their homes for charcoal-prepared meals, a dry bed to sleep on, etc.

I have individually already delivered 130 cases of water, many gas canisters, food, propane, and I

am grateful for the assistance of USPI (United Surgical Partners) and UD (United Digestive) to arrange a 6000 gallon water tanker, two large truck loads of food/water during this time, and other initiatives to continue to support our staff during this time.

There has been an outpour of concern, care, love and support from my family members and friends, and I am grateful for that. BUT, there are many others within my immediate work family and community that need some more support (via food, water, housing, repairs, etc). I created this GoFundMe to be able to reach out to more for your support. I promise that every dollar will go directly to the Southwest Florida community to help them get through this disaster.