It was an African health crisis that last year spread fear to North America.
And, now, a Douglas College nursing student will be giving a talk next week in Coquitlam about his part in fighting the Ebola virus outbreak in west Africa.
Ian MacKay spent three weeks in Liberia last July and August helping with the treatment of patients with Ebola.
"I felt very helpless at first because there was no global attention until it affected white people," he said.
But soon, he saw the disease's impact up close. He even had to help two colleagues who contracted the virus. Despite following strict protocols, colleagues Kent Brantley and Nancy Writebol became infected.
"It was terrifying when we found out Kent was positive. I was laying in bed, I thought I was going to die," MacKay said. "We were working 12- to 16-hour days and we all felt sick, dehydrated and [were] having nightmares."
As well, "There was a lot of irrational fear among family members and the community about returning [home]."
MacKay will be speak about his experiences, as part of international humanitarian work with the group Samaritan's Purse, on Monday, March 16 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Room A1470 at Douglas College's David Lam campus. Admission is free and open to the public.
MacKay also founded the Peace Life Project Foundation, a non-profit, humanitarian foundation dedicated to empowering and educating victims of war in conflict areas. The hope is to engage the public in fundraising towards its goals and help form partnerships. His previous humanitarian work, includes experiences in Haiti, the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Shelley Goertz, a registered nurse and instructor at Douglas, said speakers such as MacKay help raise awareness on health issues that affect our region, our country and our world.
"Ian MacKay's humanitarian work and his contribution to global public health is inspiring and remarkable," Goertz said. "We are honoured to have him come to the Douglas College Speaker Series and share, with our community the stories of his work."
Other speeches will continue in September and will be hosted on the third Monday of each month. Douglas College's David Lam campus is located at 1250 Pinetree Way in Coquitlam.
