Not many people would put their future at risk to help people and communities. But Kristi McKenna would. In fact, she has. Over the past six months, she's taken out thousands of dollars in loans to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, so she can improve the health of people living in poverty-stricken communities around the world. 

In the photo, you see Kristi with a young boy in Mexico where, a year ago, she volunteered her skills as a veterinary technician to help spay and neuter stray dogs with a veterinarian surgeon who had invited her to join him on the charitable mission. 

"The experience opened my eyes to people in extreme poverty, to how much they loved these animals who weren't even theirs," Kristi told me. "I also got a chance to be with a few children one-on-one. With the help of a translator, I started teaching them about what we were doing—explaining what was happening and letting them use the stethoscope to listen to the dogs' heartbeats."
 
"It was in that moment that I realized I had to move my lifelong dream of becoming a nurse forward, to make it real, to make it happen."
 
Off and running
After researching nursing schools, she decided on a program at Regis College that works with Tufts University's Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford, Massachusetts.  Now, in her first year, she is more convinced than ever that she is doing the right thing.  In her coursework, she is getting straight As, and in her clinical work, she is having the time of her life.

"I'm already seeing the difference I can make," she told me. "Such a big part of nursing is advocating for your patients. I brought that with me from working with animals. They can’t talk. So it is up to us to push for them. People can talk but they still need someone in their corner."

The world needs someone like Kristi in its corner
I've known Kristi for over fifteen years. At the time, my overworked husband and I had four cats and one puppy, and we needed help, especially when we both traveled.

Enter Kristi to the rescue. On top of her job as lead veterinary technician at a local animal clinic, she also took care of pets, mostly for money, but occasionally for free, if the person couldn't afford to pay--like the old lady in town who she's helped out many times, bringing her cat to the vets and then paying the bill.

I soon learned that Kristi is one of those people who, without thinking, just does what has to be done, simply because it is the right thing to do. One time, while we were away, our incorrigible cat Lucky escaped at night while a different pet sitter was staying over. She called Kristi (who else would she call?), and the two of them searched for hours in the night with nothing but a couple of flashlights and a lot of determination. Happily, Lucky returned but only because he was hungry. No matter, Kristi would do it again in a heartbeat.

I could tell you countless stories like this one, but they all end the same way: With Kristi coming to the rescue because that's just what she does.

Help Kristi help others
When I learned that it would cost Kristi tens of thousands of dollars to get a nursing degree, I was stunned. The idea of her going into such huge debt, so she could become, not an investment banker, but a nurse serving poor communities around the world--well, it burned me up.

After mulling over what I could do to help Kristi so she can help others in ways I never could, I decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign with Kristi's permission. And so here we are!

I myself think investing in folks like Kristi is one of the best investments any of us can make in our collective future. I am hoping that you will agree, and that you will invest in Kristi by contributing towards our $65,000 goal.

If you do, you will be gifting the world one amazing nurse who will help many, many people in poor communities around the world live better, healthier lives.