I always pull back and picture myself in time and in space geographically. It makes me removed enough to ultimately feel that there is not much I can do to change the shifts of the world, but also inspired enough to think – what is my role in this lifetime?
-Caitlin
The amount of messages I’ve received today, on Caitlin’s birthday, fills my heart. Her life, her example, continues to make a difference in the lives of others–how wonderful is that?
Recently, I was looking at her DNA results. I thought about how, if she had never had the bad luck to receive two CF genes, we wouldn’t have even known to be grateful. CF would have been a disease that happened to other people.
She was lucky in one respect, though. She had access to health care that absolutely gave her many more years than she would have had if she’d been born into another life.
Today, her birthday, is the one-year anniversary of The Caitlin O’Hara Community Health Clinic! The moment it opened, it became a godsend to the community.
Anyone who knew Caitlin knew how much she respected, admired, and loved her Boston pulmonologist, Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital. He sits on The Leo Project’s Medical Advisory Board, and writes:
“Caitlin O’Hara’s strength and compassion in the face of an unrelenting chronic illness inspired those around her – from family and friends, to the people in her community she encouraged, to the healthcare providers who she made better, including me. I am heartened that her legacy of resilience and kindness lives on through The Leo Project, an organization forged by the bonds of friendship and committed to the spread of knowledge, hope and healthcare, and reflective of her fierce advocacy for those in need of support. On her birthday, let’s be curious and learn something new, let’s fight for a cause, let’s bring a community something beautiful to celebrate, and let’s celebrate The Leo Project’s mission to empower and help care for all who walk through its doors.”
And here is an update from the amazing Jess.
| Dear TLP Supporters, Today would have been Caitlin’s 41st birthday. In her honor, we have continued our forward trajectory as we aim to provide equitable access to education and healthcare throughout Kenya. When I was sick, Caitlin sent me a quote from ESPN’s Stuart Scott who had recently been diagnosed with cancer. He said, “So, live. Live. Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you.” Some days are harder than others, but our entire team is fighting; trying to change the status quo. And, thanks to your support, it is working. Every contribution enables us to expand our impact. |
| Today is the also the one-year anniversary of The Caitlin O’Hara Community Health Clinic. Watch our most recent TLP video here which hints at our upcoming expansion. A few high-level Education and Healthcare Program impact statistics from Q2 2024: 6,266 students participated in TLP’s Education Programs (Digital Literacy, SRHR, Conservation, Adult Literacy and Robotics) 7,902 patients were seen at The Caitlin O’Hara Community Health Clinic1,057 women and children attended our Maternal and Child Health Services (MCH) Clinic1,879 community members were reached by our Mental Health Programs30,135 gallons of clean drinking water were distributed to the community from our roadside kioskQ2 Partnership/Grant Highlight: The Leo Project was amongst six grantees who were awarded the Climate x Health grant by Global Health Strategies (AMREF, Rockefeller Foundation, Global Health Alliance and the Wellcome Trust). This award supported our initiative to build the capacities of healthcare professionals, key stakeholders, youth and community members on the intersection between climate change and health, with a particular focus on mental health. Another way to support our work is to purchase essential equipment from our Amazon Wish List here: |
| As always, thank you for your continued support. Yours in gratitude,  Jess Danforth Founder and Executive Director |
9 Lives Notes 