Acupuncturists Without Borders
We are living in times that can feel fragile in the face of disasters, shootings, storms and earthquakes. When these tragic events take place in the US and abroad, I am so proud to be a part of Acupuncture Without Borders. AWB’s mission is to provide immediate relief and recovery acupuncture services to global communities that are in crisis from disaster or human conflict. AWB also provides excellent training and services to global communities that promote and sustain local self-directed, self-sufficient, proactive and long-term recovery, rebuilding and trauma (including PTSD) resolution.
AWB also leads service trips, and trainings, in countries around the world. I have participated in their World Healing Exchange trips to Nepal, to provide healing for girls recovering from the sex trafficking industry, to trade treatments with local healers, as well as work alongside other acupuncturists to create community clinics in conjunction with local non-governmental organizations and rural community leaders. We are building a healing network of practitioners from all over the world who believe that this medicine can make a difference in times of great need.
AWB is currently working on making community acupuncture part of the standard of care in the immediate aftermath of disasters, alongside traditional medical interventions. AWB is committed to treating all who have been affected by disaster and conflict including survivors, first responders, emergency personnel and other care providers. The community model for treatment allows those treated to experience relief together from stress and trauma. This kind of collective relief brings natural tendencies to recover to the surface and communities can thrive again!
Acupuncturists Without Borders has helped people recover after Hurricane Katrina, the Iowa floods, the California wildfires, the Boulder wildfires, the shootings in Tucson, Arizona, the earthquake in New Zealand, Superstorm Sandy, the Newtown and Boston Marathon shootings and work with traumatized populations in Nepal, Ecuador, Mongolia, and Haiti as well as Missouri, Minneapolis, Springfield, Mass and Moore, Oklahoma. AWB gathers resources and funding to assist our volunteer-led teams to respond to emergencies and disasters worldwide.
I am currently involved with raising funds to help this organization thrive and fulfill its groundbreaking role in bringing acupuncture as a response to trauma. If you would like to make a donation to assist our efforts, please visit our Donation page and click on the links that allow you to contribute. www.acuwithoutborders.org