Dear Friends and Family,

I’m thrilled to share a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Malawi, Africa, from November 6–19, 2025, to provide free anesthesia for life-changing ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeries for patients with limited healthcare access. As a full-time doctoral student in nurse anesthesia at Gonzaga University, I’m grateful for my program’s support to join an expert team, including Nurse Anesthetists Kris Matelic and Traci Peters. This medical trip will enhance my skills in remote settings and prepare me to provide anesthesia in underserved communities post-graduation. This trip is truly the first step in my lifelong commitment to delivering compassionate anesthesia care to impoverished populations.

To make this trip possible, I’m seeking your support to cover costs, including $3,000 for flights, plus lodging and meals (an additional $500). As a student living on loans, every contribution counts. You can donate via GoFundMe or, to maximize funds for patient care by avoiding fees, via Venmo (@sarahjlewis24). Any amount—$10, $50, or more—directly impacts patients’ lives, offering hope through critical surgeries. I’d love to share updates from this journey. Please reach out for details, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering this cause.

With gratitude,

Sarah Ballantyne (Lewis)

If you want to learn more about what we're doing in the photo with the mannequin or learn more about my training text or call me!