Hello friends and family,

I’m incredibly excited to share that I have the opportunity to volunteer with the University of California Santa Barbara Medical Brigade in Athens, Greece from September 14th to 21st, 2025. This experience is part of a larger initiative through Global Brigades, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities around the world to achieve their health and economic goals through sustainable development. I’m fundraising to support this unique opportunity to provide hands-on assistance in medical clinics while learning from local professionals and directly contributing to meaningful health outcomes for underserved communities.

Throughout the week, I’ll be working alongside doctors and healthcare staff in pop-up clinics, assisting with patient intake, collecting medical histories, and helping input data into electronic medical records. We’ll be providing care to individuals and families in underserved areas of Athens—many of whom are migrants, refugees, and locals with limited access to regular medical services. I’ll also have the opportunity to shadow medical professionals in areas like pediatrics, OB/GYN and ophthalmology—observing exams, understanding diagnoses, and learning how treatment decisions are made in real-world scenarios. In addition to clinical work, I’ll participate in the development and delivery of a health education workshop, which will be shared with patients and community members to promote long-term wellness.

This trip is part of a broader, sustainable model that Global Brigades implements across multiple countries. By combining student volunteers, local healthcare professionals, and ongoing community partnerships, these brigades contribute to year-round systems that are constantly improving health outcomes.

Your donation helps make this possible. Funds raised will go toward my flights, meals, housing, insurance, and—most importantly—medical supplies, medications, and local staff support. I’m so excited to be part of this effort, and I would be incredibly grateful for your support. Whether it’s a donation or simply sharing my fundraiser, it all helps me get one step closer to making a real impact abroad while gaining valuable experience in global health.

Thank you so much for supporting me in this journey!

With gratitude,

Brooke Roeker